New drive shaft every 36k miles

[botus]

might have missed people mention - but popping up on a lot of forums

as heat warms things up and suspension movement occurs, the gap from gearbox output shaft to bevel input shaft changes length... it does this by the drive shaft moving in and out on the splines.... if they are seized, the forces act badly on the UJ's...

SIB-33-02-22 out qrt 2 2022 for all 2004 to 2019 K series bikes (so k25 - k26 etc. AKA R1200s) to check the shaft, as people's legs keep falling off when the shaft lets go,

then SIB-33-03-22 came for the R18

and as above SIB-33-04-23 is now extended to all k5x models

This Service Information is published for all K5X vehicles with model year 2023 and older.
Check cardan shaft with ISTA-led test method and grease splines every 12,000 miles (20.000 km)
Replacement of the cardan shaft (driveshaft) every 36,000 Miles (60.000 km)

 

[ThreeDawg]

They should be ashamed of themselves designing something so crap.

 

[leadfarmer]

as people's legs keep falling off when the shaft lets go,

Yes , I had this happen last year, BMW paid for me to have a new left leg fitted

But now I walk round in circles, it’s inacceptable!

 

[casbar]

That is a new one on me. Where did you get the information that the shaft should move in the splines, as the BMW techs told me the shaft doesn't move in the splines, the reason shafts let go is the joint at the other end. But not an expert But that is where the shaft let go on on a blood bike.

 

[Slipperyeel]

That is a new one on me. Where did you get the information that the shaft should move in the splines, as the BMW techs told me the shaft doesn't move in the splines, the reason shafts let go is the joint at the other end. But not an expert But that is where the shaft let go on on a blood bike.

I thought on the 1200 hex head/TC there is a little sliding between the splines. But on the new 1200s the geometry was further refined meaning there is no sliding...hence many riders ending up with totally seized splines without realising until they took a look (why they rusted so badly it's another story!).

Don't hold me to that, but it's something I've gleaned over the last years through many posts

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

 

[casbar]

I thought on the 1200 hex head/TC there is a little sliding between the splines. But on the new 1200s the geometry was further refined meaning there is no sliding...hence many riders ending up with totally seized splines without realising until they took a look (why they rusted so badly it's another story!).

Don't hold me to that, but it's something I've gleaned over the last years through many posts

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

I don't know either. But I thought the 36k shaft issue was only on water cooled bikes.

 

[Miserable Git]

The daughters partner bought a 2007 with full BMW history and 38,000 miles earlier this year. Drive shaft splines were worn out and he had to buy another. I suspect that it will have only been greased once. I’ve greased mine every 6,000 and it lasted to 96,000.

 

[The Other PaulG]

I’ve greased mine every 6,000 and it lasted to 96,000.

Maintenance sounds like a better plan than replacement.

 

[botus]

I thought on the 1200 hex head/TC there is a little sliding between the splines. But on the new 1200s the geometry was further refined meaning there is no sliding...hence many riders ending up with totally seized splines without realising until they took a look (why they rusted so badly it's another story!).

Don't hold me to that, but it's something I've gleaned over the last years through many posts

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

since 2023 the maint schedule and owners manual mandates the shaft replacement at 36k miles on all models

they have then retrospectively announced all late 1200 and 1250 get a check - a drain plug drilled in the swinging arm, a vent hole poked in the front gaiter and new service schedule to strip and inspect every 12k miles plus replacement every 36 k - as NONE of that was in their manual - its a free shaft if u did over 36 k miles AND a check and possible free shaft if its knackered on inspection for others

as for does it matter - yes there is the very same risk on any BM shaft bike with paralever - do u care - its your leg so I guess you can choose ?

 

[casbar]

since 2023 the maint schedule and owners manual mandates the shaft replacement at 36k miles on all models

they have then retrospectively announced all late 1200 and 1250 get a check - a drain plug drilled in the swinging arm, a vent hole poked in the front gaiter and new service schedule to strip and inspect every 12k miles plus replacement every 36 k - as NONE of that was in their manual - its a free shaft if u did over 36 k miles AND a check and possible free shaft if its knackered on inspection for others

as for does it matter - yes there is the very same risk on any BM shaft bike with paralever - do u care - its your leg so I guess you can choose ?

But I have reported before, my 2019 1250RT at the service in April, was refused a check unless I paid an extra £100 on top of the service cost. The service manager, said worry about it next year. How many shafts actually failed, I know of one on a 60k blood bike. The bit that fails is not the splines but the joint at the other end, and the one that failed on the blood bike was inspected and given a clean bill of health, then the link broke 5k later.

 

[botus]

one needs to think wider....

just coz the shaft complains - what do you think it was fighting against..... the forces making the UJs both ends feel miserable, are also equally impacting the bevel bearing and its mesh and the gearbox end too

its not really about them failing at <40 k miles - its about the damage and potential for failure later on - when you get ANY servicing done by a reputable garage to the manu service schedule - they HAVE to ensure the pads, discs and other wear items are OK to reach the next scheduled service interval....