Can't get my final-drive off.

[alfazer]

Hi, I'm new here and fairly new to BMWs so hoping for a little help.
I'm in the process of removing the FD on my R1150GS because something is leaking oil. So I guess it's the seal. I have searched, read about the seal replacement and so on, but I#m stuck at the next stage.

Problem:
I have the two pivot bolts out without much trouble but I can't manage to pull the FD all the way out. After a lot of wiggling and tapping with a soft mallet it came back out of the paralever about an inch or more but I can't get it all the way out. Is there something else holding it or do I just need more force?

 

[DrFarkoff]

sounds like the sliding joint is jammed on your driveshaft

Without seeing it it is hard to say

Whereabouts are you Maybe there's someone nearby |

 

[alfazer]

Thanks Jay. I'm way up north west near Claudy, which is usually not near anyone!

So there's nothing mechanical holding it besides the pivot bolts which are already out. It's just a splined sliding joint that should come clean away?

I'm guessing then that the splines are crusted up because quite a bit of water came out when I released the gaiter. Might try some penetrating spray in there for a while if I can get near it.

Just didn't want to hammer the shit out of it, if something was still holding it.

 

[AndrewD]

Could be the 'snap rings' holding it on, I know they can feel like they have bolted the drive on and if they are rusty it might be they are holding on for grim death....

 

[Steptoe]

sounds like the sliding joint is jammed on your driveshaft

|

I'll second what jaythro has said - the two part driveshaft is seized together at the splined sections .

Sounds like it's pulled away from the gearbox end but the main section of shaft on the 1150 can't be removed from out of the rear of the swingarm (it can on the 1100 models).
And if you take the swingarm off you can't get the shaft out from the front with the two parts of the shaft seized together.

 

[DrFarkoff]

al send me a mail with your number to jaysmail55 AT aol.com and I'll give you a shout later

Cheers

jay

Thanks Jay. I'm way up north west near Claudy, which is usually not near anyone!

So there's nothing mechanical holding it besides the pivot bolts which are already out. It's just a splined sliding joint that should come clean away?

I'm guessing then that the splines are crusted up because quite a bit of water came out when I released the gaiter. Might try some penetrating spray in there for a while if I can get near it.

Just didn't want to hammer the shit out of it, if something was still holding it.

 

[alfazer]

Thanks guys, I had another crack at it between a whole day of entertaining visitors and so on and it's now released at the gearbox end and I got the final drive off too, but yes indeed, it's the joint at the bottom UJ/driveshaft that's stuck. No more time tonight but I'll maybe try some heat on it or see if I can rig up some kind of puller.

Jay, I'll send you a pm, thanks.

 

[alfazer]

Just thinking, (while stuck here at work) assuming I get the original problem sorted, will I be able to knock the shaft back into the gearbox with the swingarm still attached, or do I need to take the whole thing off, install the shaft and then re-assemble.

 

[hitmanh]

Just thinking, (while stuck here at work) assuming I get the original problem sorted, will I be able to knock the shaft back into the gearbox with the swingarm still attached, or do I need to take the whole thing off, install the shaft and then re-assemble.

Swing arm off for this, but it's an easy job, just some heat to the pivot pins (same as with the bevel box), undo the suspension fasteners, and you're good. You can check the state of the big bearings while you have it off and regrease the splines.

 

[alfazer]

Yeah, do no harm to check the swing arm pivot. 40K in all weathers by the look of it.

BTW, I got the driveshaft joint apart. Pretty tight but easy with the right tool, a ball joint splitter.

I got two big old 3/4" drive sockets that should handle the nut and ring on the final drive seal. One fits the nut and the other one I hope I can cut to fit the ring.

Before I start, I'm assuming the nut is normal right-hand thread, yes?

 

[B4ndit]

Hi mate,

I am going to be taking my final drive off tomorrow night for the first time. Is it likely that it just won't fall apart once the pivot pins are out. What has been holding the whole thing back for you. I was under the impression that it all just came apart once the pins were out.

Just looking for some pointers in case I get stuck.

 

[MattW]

Hi mate,

I am going to be taking my final drive off tomorrow night for the first time. Is it likely that it just won't fall apart once the pivot pins are out. What has been holding the whole thing back for you. I was under the impression that it all just came apart once the pins were out.

Just looking for some pointers in case I get stuck.

No it's not 'likely' but there's always a possibility that you'll find that the splined joint of the drive shaft will have seized (as noted by alfazer). This would stop you withdrawing the FD.

There's no point worrying about it and no way of telling till you try - just deal with it if it happens

 

[Steptoe]

Just thinking, (while stuck here at work) assuming I get the original problem sorted, will I be able to knock the shaft back into the gearbox with the swingarm still attached, or do I need to take the whole thing off, install the shaft and then re-assemble.

You'll have a great deal of trouble trying to fit the shaft on while still assembled in the swingarm.

Swing arm off for this, but it's an easy job, just some heat to the pivot pins (same as with the bevel box), undo the suspension fasteners, and you're good. You can check the state of the big bearings while you have it off and regrease the splines.

Do people read the threads before offering their two penneth worth of advice. ????

The swingarm is off ...... it's not an easy job, the two parts of the shaft are seized together. Hence he also won't be able to grease the splines

 

[alfazer]

Now I'm really confused.

I thought I posted earlier that I had got the shaft apart with my ball joint splitter.

I'll check again just to make sure.

 

[Steptoe]

.



Do people read the threads before offering their two penneth worth of advice. ????

Now I'm really confused.

I thought I posted earlier that I had got the shaft apart with my ball joint splitter.

An all time classic

 

[hitmanh]

*grin*