Drive Shaft & Water Ingress

[WindyChuffer]

As per thread started yesterday, I had a drive line failure (http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/406989-Final-Drive-fekked). Resulting in needing a new drive shaft, final drive and boot. Thankfully all under warranty.

The cause of failure was water ingress. Water was pissing out when the drive shaft let go and properly dislodged the rubber boot.

Looking at the microfiche available (http://www.ascycles.com/BMW-Motorcycle-Parts-Fiche.aspx) I can see that there are two core parts to the drive train:

- Casing + Drive Shaft, with rubber gaiters on each end.
- Final Drive.

I can also see that there is no oil in the drive shaft casing. The oil is in the final drive, and this is sealed from the drive shaft casing.

The rubber boot should prevent water ingress into the casing. Which clearly failed in my case, causing the corrosion which led to the drive line failure.

Keen to avoid a repeat, regardless of status of warranty. So how do we check for water ingress. There is no easy way as far as I can make out.

- Is the gaiter easily dislodged so you can have a look with a torch?
- Is there a drain hole? Where? (I'd look, but my bike is with the dealer).
- Should we squirt some form of lube in? Grease? WD40? Other?

Ta.

 

[Spout]

Only way I can see, is to drop the final drive. Those of us with pre 07 bikes know how to do this

Good chance to grease up those splines

 

[bisbee]

Only way I can see, is to drop the final drive. Those of us with pre 07 bikes know how to do this

Good chance to grease up those splines

Yep +1
I use a water resistant grease from the chandlers meant for outboard motors

 

[mrtee43]

Yep +1
I use a water resistant grease from the chandlers meant for outboard motors

Isn't all grease waterproof ???

 

[bisbee]

Isn't all grease waterproof ???

I didn't use the word "proof" but the short answer is no (btw marine grease is designed to be submerged)

 

[Spout]

Any considerable collection of water in the swing arm is soon going to wash the grease (whether water proof or resistant) from the UJ bearings - like a high speed washing machine