Final Drive UJ's

[Popeye]

Got the back end off the bike to do the paralever bearings and thought I'd check out a few other parts for wear & tear whilst I was at it.

This is the universal joint as it is removed from the final drive assembly, by which I mean at the rear wheel end of the drive shaft rather than the gearbox end of the drive shaft.

When I move it from this position ....

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To this position

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It feels quite notchy. All my instincts tell me it should feel completely smooth. There doesn't seem to be any play, as far as I can tell, just a notchy feeling.

If this isn't as it should be are the individual bearings replaceable or is it a sealed assembled unit.

 

[Tsiklonaut]

It feels quite notchy. All my instincts tell me it should feel completely smooth. There doesn't seem to be any play, as far as I can tell, just a notchy feeling.

If this isn't as it should be are the individual bearings replaceable or is it a sealed assembled unit.

Mine did the same (the same UJ), a bit rough movement at one spot, but just a very small effect. While the integrated UJ on the shaft was completely smooth.

Can't tell you if it means it blows up after 10K or not. But I reckon it should have some fair amount of lifetime still left if it doesn't have any slack.

Sad thing is that you can't buy separate UJ from BMW dealer - you need to buy COMPLETE shaft (with UJ on both ends) - loads'o'£££.

So if it blows, it's better to hunt for s/h unit sold separately. Good thing is that it's not that hard work to replace one as you've already noticed

 

[Mapster]

Dito here. UJ on FD side felt notchy, other side was ok. Had the UJ bearings replaced by a company specialised in servicing driveshafts. Said they had done quite a number of R11xx bearings so far. Mine are good as new now.

 

[Popeye]

Perhaps I should state that the bike is a 2004 1150GS Adv.

 

[Mapster]

Mine is a 2002 1150, 30k miles at the time.