Tips for getting the drive shaft onto the gearbox output splines

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A desperate plea before I chuck the drive shaft out the window..................

I've done this before but then I had a drive shaft with stiff notchy bearings that held the movable end of the drive shaft in place. Now I have new new bearings it's nigh on impossible to get it lined up and over the out put splines 'cos it's flopping around so easily.

I know it's just a case of patience and perseverance but wondering if there's a top tip that somebody has that'll make my life a bit easier...........please :blast

Andres
 
I ended up taking the swing arm off.

But then you have the joy of replacing the gaitor.

I think the recommended technique is to slip the gaitor off and use a tie wrap ( or similar) to hold and guide into place.

Taking the rear shock off makes it easier to align the swing arm.

Good luck
 
I stuck a long screwdriver in and held up the female side once lined up I gave the brake disc a wobble and they slotted together lovely.
 
Leave it in gear.

Remove cable tie on rubber gaiter gearbox side and pull gaiter back slightly at the top.

Push the shaft inside the swinging arm.

Insert 2 fingers :rolleyes: into the pulled back gaiter and put the middle finger into the end of the shaft.

Lift and align the end of the shaft yoke.

Lift and put slight pressure on the left end of the shaft.

The tricky bit is to now remove the finger from the end of the driveshaft and rest the end of it on the output shaft.

You can then slowly lower and manipulate the driveshaft onto the end of the output shaft.

The fingers inserted into the gaiter can now align the shafts.

now you can rotate the driveshaft to align the splines. A swift blow on the end of the driveshaft will pop it on the clip.

In effect its all about lifting the end of the dropped UJ to align it. Youll never do it without pulling the gaiter back. It is a 5 min job.:thumb2

Roger.
 
I struggled with this job a few weeks ago:mad:
Reading up on it the whole thing seemed straight forward. Took 2 of us the best part of an hour to line up the FD with the shaft. Bloody silicone grease everywhere!!

Thanks G5RJO, I've wanted to redo the white silicone grease but didn't want the hassle again of pulling the FD off. You've given me the knowledge to tackle this job again:thumby:
 
I've not done this (yet) on a GS but have on a shaft drive Yamaha which has only a 20mm hole to view the front UJ.
I strapped a zip cable tie to the spline end of the UJ, slipped the shaft up the swing arm and furtled the tie through the access hole. It was then easy to lift the UJ while pushing the shaft into place. When done snip off the cable tie.


Sent from a widget that can't spell.
 
Thanks for all the tips guys, I've not been around over the weekend so will be having another go this week.

Yes, the gaiter is pulled back (I've fitted a new one as the old one was split, 40 flipping quid!!) and I've actually done this once before with not toooooo much of an issue. Will try a cable tie and fingers as I've been getting nowhere with a screwdriver....

Andres
 
A free evening, a fresh pair of eyes and a cable tie = 5 mins max to get it back on.

Now I just need to get the gaiter seating properly :D

Thanks again all :)

Andres
 
Just to resurrect this old thread....

Didn't refit my front gaiter properly last time and the driveshaft has chewed it up. Just stripped the bike to check the colour of the FD oil (milky emulsion last time) which thankfully remains clear now, pulled out the shaft to replace the front gaiter and found the FD end UJ's are notchy as hell, front ones are okay.

I've done a search but can't find the thread where somebody on here does a refurb of the UJ's.

Can anyone help, as I know a new shaft from BMW is gonna be dear.
 
Mike has just rebuilt my driveshaft and FD. My back end UJ was also shot.
My wheel bearing was side play leaking but all bearings inside were also ready for replacement.
 
Re the fitting drive shaft without removing the boot I seem to remember a tip but can't remember where it came from.

Get a long strip of rag, put it under the front of the shaft that you want to align, twist it a few times and then lead it back down the top to the rear of the shaft. Pull rag = lift the end to align. When done untwist, release one side of the rag and pull it out.

Well, it sounds feasible.
 
Try leaving the driveshaft in a bucket of salty water over the weekend.
It might have stiffened up enough by that time to make the job a lot easier :D
 
I can do the shaft with my eyes closed, its the fecking rubber boot thats the problem.

Even with the paralever arm removed there isn't enough clearance, hence the swing arm coming off tomorrow morning just so i can put the new rubber boot on.

Piece of shite.
 
Pukmeister said:
I can do the shaft with my eyes closed, its the fecking rubber boot thats the problem.

Even with the paralever arm removed there isn't enough clearance, hence the swing arm coming off tomorrow morning just so i can put the new rubber boot on.

Piece of shite.
Click to expand...

Swingarm is a piece of piss to take off & at least you know the boot is fitted home properly into it's groove I greased mine too to help seal it.

You do need the tool to retighten the nut though got mine £11 on ebay :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-Too...202?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d01793bea
 
Thanks for the link but I already have the tool and a spare set of swing arm bearings somewhere in the garage from an aborted job years ago.

I'll get it sorted tomorrow when I get my motivation back.
 
Jobs almost finished, requiring removal of swing arm, exhaust, paralever arm, rear shock etc just to get enough access to replace the sodding gaiter. Job made worse by all my bling such as Mudsling, frame bags and rear hugger. A ridiculous design by BMW though IMO having to do so much just to replace a rubber boot.

Found the right hand swingarm bearing felt gritty due to dirt ingress past the gaiter and into the non-sealed face of the bearing via the inside of the swingarm. Replaced it. Left side was fine. Replacement driveshaft went in on the third attempt, I must be losing my touch. Rear hub now feels smoother when spun by hand.

Just been disturbed by a new washing machine delivery. Plumbed it in so just another hours work and I'll be riding again. :thumb2
 
bikemad said:
You'll be happy you done it right will be a few years & miles before it needs it again :)
Click to expand...

Ironically not so I'm afraid. Just took a shakedown ride to Bahnstormer and back. New gaiter has popped out of the swing arm already despite meticulous assembly.

A job for tomorrow.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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