Driveshaft question

The reason for replacement is basically wear on the U-joint needle bearings. They are not a part thats known for lasting forever, on any vehicle. Like almost all cars, these are no longer held in place by circlips but by injected plastic. They don't use grease fittings either as there's not enough room for zerk fittings. Something's got to wear in this articulated swing arm drive system and the u-joints are the most preferred and easiest to replace
 
The reason for replacement is basically wear on the U-joint needle bearings. They are not a part thats known for lasting forever, on any vehicle. Like almost all cars, these are no longer held in place by circlips but by injected plastic. They don't use grease fittings either as there's not enough room for zerk fittings. Something's got to wear in this articulated swing arm drive system and the u-joints are the most preferred and easiest to replace
How can you replace the U Joints if the bearings are held in by injected plastic instead of by circlips??.
Isn't that why the complete drive shaft will need to be replaced.
Or is that what you are saying.
 
How can you replace the U Joints if the bearings are held in by injected plastic instead of by circlips??.
Isn't that why the complete drive shaft will need to be replaced.
Or is that what you are saying.
Yeah, as awkward as it read, that's what I was saying
 
I’ve absolutely no experience of the 1300’s
The 1200 LC as an example.
The final drive to narrow things down.
The main crownwheel bearings and seal,no problem.
The input pinion is a very different matter.
The two taper roller bearings are bmw specific.you can’t buy them.
The spacer between them collapses under torque,you can’t buy it.
The compression ring which the seal runs on is not available to buy.
I’m sure the 1300 is no different.
You’ve turned a very expensive motorcycle into disposable white goods.👍
Bloody shambles
 
I saw my first 1300 GS Adv yesterday in the Dales
WTF a pig ugly bike - even worse in the flesh than the media pics
The 13 GS next to it, was a lot better proposition
The bloated 13 GSA is a caricature of former GSA bikes
Total wank
 
Oops ; the OP asks for a 1300 driveshaft , but nevertheless surely cannot be much more expensive than a 1250 driveshaft .
Either way , a driveshaft should not a big issue , especially if you can afford to buy such an expensive motorcycle .
 
So the shaft on the 1250`s which BMW will replace f.o.c. at the stated mileage are ~120 quid, but the shaft on the 13`s which will not be fitted free and are now a serviceable item are ~£750?
Seems fair....!

I still think it`s unbelievable that a driveshaft has become a service item, they should last the lifetime of the bike.
 
To be clear , my 1200 shaft has just been replaced as part of the recall f.o.c. and I enquired at my main dealer , the shaft cost and was so surprised how cheap it was. The mechanics , I would very easily do myself , if I’d needed to pay.
 
So the shaft on the 1250`s which BMW will replace f.o.c. at the stated mileage are ~120 quid, but the shaft on the 13`s which will not be fitted free and are now a serviceable item are ~£750?
Seems fair....!

I still think it`s unbelievable that a driveshaft has become a service item, they should last the lifetime of the bike.

the shaft is not due to be replaced until 48,000 miles. How many do you think are eligible to be changed now? BMW will not be keeping many in the spares cupboard right now. In a few years, when they become regular service items they might source them at a cheaper price due to economies of scale.
As I posted in another thread, at the moment, any mechanical failures will be a warranty claim. Any accident damaged ones will be insurance jobs and manufacturers are notorious for inflating parts costs on new vehicles to fleece insurance companies.
The other factor is that most owners of new bikes will not worry about the replacement cost as few will still own their bikes at 48,000 miles and many owners of used bikes just won't bother replacing the shaft unless it breaks, much like the expensive "valve service" on bikes like Triumph Explorers at 36,000 miles.
 
To be clear , my 1200 shaft has just been replaced as part of the recall f.o.c. and I enquired at my main dealer , the shaft cost and was so surprised how cheap it was. The mechanics , I would very easily do myself , if I’d needed to pay.
The 1300gs drive shaft is £766 to buy & that's a special offer. Just Google it.
 
But it'll be a complete drive shaft not just bits , won't it??.
Thought the bearings are all press fit & sealed so you can't just fit new universal joints.


Just did a Google search £766 for a new shaft .
(Shaft by name and shaft by nature:-) ).

BMW Driveshaft - R1300GS - R1300GS Adventure
BMW reference: 33711686281
£766.51 VAT included
Tbh, this will be about a grand. But it's every 48k miles which is plenty for bikes. I mean, how many of the fleet of 1300s will ever reach that point? 2%? By that point, electronics, suspension bits and other systems will be sooo perishable and obsolete, the shaft will be the least of your problems or cost. Lets face it, none of todays bikes or cars will age well. Can you imagine any of today's models in 2050? They will well scrapped before. Whereas in 2000 one could imagine an R1100GS now. And I bet a 1150 would still be around at 50yo.

If after 48k miles, people think a grand of cost is too much, then they should buy and own a cheaper bike. At least now the mothership has admitted the shaft is not forever and all that BS vs "cheaper than chain maintenance" they been ve flogging for 30 years... Anyone with a bit of common sense will tell you the a cardan system whether in a water well, an oil rig or a tractor is certainly not forever.

Still better than faffing with chain sprays every other day.
 
The 1200 and 1250 LC bikes started getting issues with shaft failure

They looked at it and realised bikes with the bevel drain bung are getting corrosion build up on the splines each end of the drive shaft – once seized the shaft can’t change length as the suspension compresses and extends – this leads to increased wear on the drive shaft UJs

First off they added a drain bung to allow condense / water to escape, but more bikes failed and they took major action.

The latest service intervals have all been updated - going back to 2013 and the first LCs – all get 12k mile drop the bevel and check splines on the drive shaft both ends forevermore

Then all bikes get replace driveshaft at 36k miles

As that info was never part of the original service schedule on the 1200 and 1250, they get a free check and replacement shaft if deemed necessary (I think for life), so long as new 12k service routine is maintained.

Of course Dealers never read TIPS documents, so expect the sly ones to charge for the extra service and forget everything else – or the “decent dealers” to be utterly oblivious of everything.

As the replacement shaft is in the 1300 user manual - its pay no matter what.

I was sure I noticed when I swapped my 57 plate self-destructed rear bevel at 40k miles for a the replacement 2021 R NineT bevel with the breather, its now listed as having non serviceable pinion bearing – but now its on the drawings..

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/partgrp?id=0J11-EUR-12-2019-K22-BMW-R_nineT_Pure_0J11,_0J13_&mg=33

As Mikeyboy says Pinion info def missing on the 1250s and still missing on the 1300
https://www.bike-parts-bmw.com/bmw-...eu-ar-entrainem-guidage-roue-ar/33/6127061270
 
The driveshaft was something that I considered when swapping over to the r1300 gs.. I.E Shaft drives no longer replaced on the new models.. the way I see it is.. when the warranty is over after the 3 years as far as I'm concerned I've got 2 options either trade up or take out the bmw extended warranty.. I tend to trade up as the warranty is expensive and if you get a fair trade in price then you may as well have the newer model.. as over say another 3 years the warranty cost is approx
£1,800.. either way won't be keeping the r1300 gs after 3 years unless I take out the bmw extended warranty to much tech to go wrong.
 
Theop Quote.. "Still better than faffing with chain sprays every other day" well can't argue with that.. I'm always cleaning and lubing the chain on my speed twin 1200.. not one of my favorite pass times:(
 
Thread revival!

So it appears the Drive Shaft is indeed replaced at 60k kilometers. or 36000 miles (apparently)

My bike is nearing 36k.

Appears the shaft is BMW Part 33735A670C3 - just under £100 + VAT (so £120 ish to buy)

I'm looking for first-hand experience of those who have had this done by a BMW main dealer? I have heard a rumour that altho the shaft is replaced FOC, the dealers try to sting you with a small charge for the circlips and greases (and anything else they can think of!) etc etc etc? You may not notice extra charges if your bike is in for it's "B" service at 36k...

But...if you have your bike serviced elsewhere (as I do, by a top Indie), or do it yourself, and then take the bike to a BMW main stealer for the replacement of the SHAFT ONLY - how do the dealers respond???

Anyone have any experiences?
 
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