Amateur tackles spline lube on Final Drive

[Riktus]

Its a job worth doing - for those who dont want to - for those who dont whats the big problem - its your bike and your choice. The forum is supposed to be a place to share experiences and advice / tips / feedback so thats what the Original poster did in the search of some help.

I am happy to do it I have had 1 x GS (had a final drive fail at 4 years) plus 1 x RT (no problems but only kept it 2 years) plus 2 x GSA (1 kept 2 years and never had a problem and the most recent I have kept 4 years and the final drive was rusted solid to the shaft) - so as you can see it is allot to do with luck / time you keep them / maintenance / build at factory / cleaning.....but it is such a simple job I will now do it annually on this or any other bike (BMW) i own.

I dont preach to anyone they have to do this task I only post that I have owned some good and some bad bikes in the GS range and I will personally choose to do this task and have the piece of mind that its done. I work on the principle that the shaft drive has 2 x UJ joints fitted either end to a splined shaft - the fact that they are not welded to or bolted to those shafts tells me they are supposed to be removable or slide on the shaft - so I want to make sure they stay that way - then if I want to remove the Final drive for anything it will remove easily.

It is only my opinion - and I type this because it has been an experience of many years of ownership - however I also have friends who have never had a problem and some that have with the final drives on their own GS's.

I am in no way an expert and if you want more realistic advice then maybe Steptoe would be better to give you a "yes you should" or "no you shouldn't" definitive answer - but in my book if you want to get to know your bike a little better and do some of the maintenance yourself out of warranty period or maybe even only ever buy a used bike due to funds then it doesn't hurt to have posts like this.

Rik

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Its a job worth doing - for those who dont want to - for those who dont whats the big problem - its your bike and your choice. The forum is supposed to be a place to share experiences and advice / tips / feedback so thats what the Original poster did in the search of some help.

I am happy to do it I have had 1 x GS (had a final drive fail at 4 years) plus 1 x RT (no problems but only kept it 2 years) plus 2 x GSA (1 kept 2 years and never had a problem and the most recent I have kept 4 years and the final drive was rusted solid to the shaft) - so as you can see it is allot to do with luck / time you keep them / maintenance / build at factory / cleaning.....but it is such a simple job I will now do it annually on this or any other bike (BMW) i own.

I dont preach to anyone they have to do this task I only post that I have owned some good and some bad bikes in the GS range and I will personally choose to do this task and have the piece of mind that its done. I work on the principle that the shaft drive has 2 x UJ joints fitted either end to a splined shaft - the fact that they are not welded to or bolted to those shafts tells me they are supposed to be removable or slide on the shaft - so I want to make sure they stay that way - then if I want to remove the Final drive for anything it will remove easily.

It is only my opinion - and I type this because it has been an experience of many years of ownership - however I also have friends who have never had a problem and some that have with the final drives on their own GS's.

I am in no way an expert and if you want more realistic advice then maybe Steptoe would be better to give you a "yes you should" or "no you shouldn't" definitive answer - but in my book if you want to get to know your bike a little better and do some of the maintenance yourself out of warranty period or maybe even only ever buy a used bike due to funds then it doesn't hurt to have posts like this.

Rik

I agree with your post.
However, what i dont like is People posting rubbish on forums that will convince riders that their bike is going to explode. I do get the idea of peace of mind. In fact I'd do mine for that reason, But I also know that it isnt , as has been posted here "If you dont do it, you'll get LOADS OF GRIEF" ...... That simply isnt true. Also, dont get confused with the final drive bearings failing and the rusty drive shaft. I read so much shit on here and 99.9 % of it is ..... well, shit

 

[MrMcNamara]

My first GS, purchased in 2000. Was maintained and loved. always went over the top ref servicing. Kept her for 14 years. 80 odd Thousand miles, all over Europe, Africa and Asia.
Four GSA's since then.
Splines .... Completely unnecessary .
They never fail. But if it makes you happy to split and grease them, crack on

Are you related to the muppet who goes under the tag of 'Engineer' by any chance? your way with words is strikingly as annoying

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

As if I give a feck of about your feelings.

 

[MrMcNamara]

Yup, you are a Dick aren't you!

 

[Deleted account 250319001]

Yup, you are a Dick aren't you!

awwwww want a cuddle

 

[RallyeGS]

I wonder how much the CV joint at the end of the drive shaft moves back and forth along the splines on the pinion shaft during riding?

 

[Delboy777]

I wonder how much the CV joint at the end of the drive shaft moves back and forth along the splines on the pinion shaft during riding?

I dont think it does slide at the CV joint it expands and contracts half way along the shaft, just like a tractor power take off shaft if you know what i mean.

 

[RallyeGS]

I dont think it does slide at the CV joint it expands and contracts half way along the shaft, just like a tractor power take off shaft if you know what i mean.

That's right, I recall that now.

 

[jags]

I agree with your post.
However, what i dont like is People posting rubbish on forums that will convince riders that their bike is going to explode. I do get the idea of peace of mind. In fact I'd do mine for that reason, But I also know that it isnt , as has been posted here "If you dont do it, you'll get LOADS OF GRIEF" ...... That simply isnt true. Also, dont get confused with the final drive bearings failing and the rusty drive shaft. I read so much shit on here and 99.9 % of it is ..... well, shit

loads of grief was in reference to agricultural machinery and following my experience with said machinery i greased the splines on the gs i had.

 

[beaver]

That's right, I recall that now.

no it does not... its on the clip ring at the output end, the shaft is solid as such (may have some rubber to act as a cush drive), and can move on the final drive spline.

That said, it can't move much if they work rusted up. I'd assume they rust up in the 'on main stand' position, so if anything it would push into the spline once compressed. if its rusted I guess it could push against the spring clip putting the full system into compression and hence the reports of a rough ride. It will also push into the grearbox end loading the output shaft which I'm sure is not desirable.

 

[RallyeGS]

no it does not... its on the clip ring at the output end, the shaft is solid as such (may have some rubber to act as a cush drive), and can move on the final drive spline.

That said, it can't move much if they work rusted up. I'd assume they rust up in the 'on main stand' position, so if anything it would push into the spline once compressed. if its rusted I guess it could push against the spring clip putting the full system into compression and hence the reports of a rough ride. It will also push into the grearbox end loading the output shaft which I'm sure is not desirable.

Ok, so any movement in the drive shaft is taken up by is moving back and forth at the final drive end then?

 

[autogs]

I dont think it does slide at the CV joint it expands and contracts half way along the shaft, just like a tractor power take off shaft if you know what i mean.

amature doesnt really know what he is talking about,sorry but its obvious if you have ever done the spline lube that the shaft is one piece

 

[Delboy777]

amature doesnt really know what he is talking about,sorry but its obvious if you have ever done the spline lube that the shaft is one piece

Ok i stand corrected, ive not done one, i just assumed. because of the way it looks on Real oem. So i will now bend over and let you administer six of the best.


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[harry]

I dont think it does slide at the CV joint it expands and contracts half way along the shaft, just like a tractor power take off shaft if you know what i mean.

...well that's a new one!

 

[beaver]

Ok, so any movement in the drive shaft is taken up by is moving back and forth at the final drive end then?

Correct.. but as said.. it can't be much. Near perfect geomatry

 

[pistole]

Yes, the shaft is solid but does have a rubber buffer moulded into the center of the shaft.

The sliding action occurs at the spline at the wheel end.

 

[Delboy777]

...well that's a new one!

Fuckin Meeeooowwww!


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[malcopopolo]

ok then...
Had another go today. Soaked it first in WD40 penetrating fluid for 10 mins, no joy, soak again for another 10 min, bit of persuasion and it came apart.
Very happy. lubed it with moly grease inside and out. Did not have any of that white paste recommended on here so put a small smear of the moly grease on the gator instead.
Will use the right stuff in 12 months. Plan to do this at the beginning of winter every year.

Reason why I wanted to do it was the gator needed replacing and so this method makes it so much easier, also if any play or bearings start to wear in the final drive it just makes the job less expensive and easier for the home mechanic.

Some Pics

 

[Mr Bean]

Did not have any of that white paste recommended on here so put a small smear of the moly grease on the gator instead. Will use the right stuff in 12 months.

Do, having a driveshaft snap on a busy motorway isn't fun.