Pieces of bearing inside swing arm

[glennis]

Hi guys, a bit of a drama has unfolded whist replacing a failed final drive unit on my 2006 gsa. I decided whist replacing it that I'd pull the driveshaft off for an inspection and noticed that the UJ on the gearbox end of the driveshaft was fugged and quite surprised, given its state, that no noise or excessing slack/movement was evident. Before installing my 'brand new' used driveshaft I thought it prudent to also remove the swingarm to properly inspect the splines on the gearbox output shaft and also check the swingarm bearings. The splines were fine and the bearings looked okay for the age with only a little play but moving smoothly. I removed bearings and seals, cleaned and repacked with grease ready to go back in. At that point I noticed a dozen or more small cylindrical rollers and a pieces of a seal, which I assume are from a bearing that were loose inside the top end of the swingarm. I've no idea where they are from!!!

I'm hoping someone might know where these are from as I'm absolutely stumped!!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

 

[Smiffypr]

Hi guys, a bit of a drama has unfolded whist replacing a failed final drive unit on my 2006 gsa. I decided whist replacing it that I'd pull the driveshaft off for an inspection and noticed that the UJ on the gearbox end of the driveshaft was fugged and quite surprised, given its state, that no noise or excessing slack/movement was evident. Before installing my 'brand new' used driveshaft I thought it prudent to also remove the swingarm to properly inspect the splines on the gearbox output shaft and also check the swingarm bearings. The splines were fine and the bearings looked okay for the age with only a little play but moving smoothly. I removed bearings and seals, cleaned and repacked with grease ready to go back in. At that point I noticed a dozen or more small cylindrical rollers and a pieces of a seal, which I assume are from a bearing that were loose inside the top end of the swingarm. I've no idea where they are from!!!

I'm hoping someone might know where these are from as I'm absolutely stumped!!!

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Cheers

They lok like they are from the UJ.

 

[glennis]

Well now it sounds obvious when you say it I didn't want to make any assumptions and be riding on a bike that missing bits. Thanks

 

[Pukmeister]

Best message Mikeyboy and see if he can work his magic on it. Looks like you caught it just before a catastrophic failure.

A new shaft from BMW is £££££££.

 

[stever1]

That shaft in the 2nd picture looks fugged. Look at the wear at the UJ end

 

[squibb34]

I'm surprised the failing UJ hadn't shown itself with noise, vibrations & feelings of shaft imbalance at low speed. They usually give a rider warning, briefly, indeed I have seen catastrophic failure write off a bike.

You are a very lucky guy - maybe time to buy a lottery ticket?

 

[mikeyboy]

Upper u/j has failed ,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,
It’s scrap.
If the main shaft is undamaged you might salvage it with a good upper yoke from another shaft

 

[glennis]

Yeah I know the shaft is toast. Not bragging about my strength but I seriously reckon I could pull it apart with my hands. The last 4 months of cold weather riding have been restricted to commuting in London so no faster that 30mph (I promise) so maybe the speed wasn't enough to hear/feel anything.

I did buy lottery ticket and actually won but it's not quite enough to cover the cost of a new driveshaft from BMW so I got one off eBay instead! It's in okay condition with a very slight notch on the lower end. Probs okay for a bit but I think I'll include checking it from now on in my yearly spring service.

Mikeyboy - I didn't know this was a serviceable part. Good to know for the future

Also, thanks for everyone's replies too. What a community of absolute legends!!!