• Welcome, Guest! We hope you enjoy the excellent technical knowledge, event information and discussions that the BMW MOA forum provides. Some forum content will be hidden from you if you remain logged out. If you want to view all content, please click the 'Log in' button above and enter your BMW MOA username and password.

    If you are not an MOA member, why not take the time to join the club, so you can enjoy posting on the forum, the BMW Owners News magazine, and all of the discounts and benefits the BMW MOA offers?

Final Drive Installation R1100RT

drh205

New member
I thought I'd wrap up my first spline lube this week end until I came to the part of re-installing the final drive.
I've been trying without success to get the splined shaft of the final drive to slide into the drive shaft.

Are there any tricks that make the job easier?
I'm working by myself which I'm sure does make it more complicated.

After 2 days of this I'm re-thinking chain drives!
 
I thought I'd wrap up my first spline lube this week end until I came to the part of re-installing the final drive.
I've been trying without success to get the splined shaft of the final drive to slide into the drive shaft.

Are there any tricks that make the job easier?
I'm working by myself which I'm sure does make it more complicated.

After 2 days of this I'm re-thinking chain drives!

Take a shop rag or thick bandanna. Fold first into a triangle and then roll it into a tube. Then starting at one end roll it up until the roll is just thick enough to stick under the driveshaft to prop it up to center the driveshaft in the housing, with a tail hanging out the opening. Once the FD is installed you will pull the rag out using that tail.

Once the driveshaft is centered in the swingarm opening the splines can be inserted.

You still need to align the splines. I do it with the transmission in gear.

To make the splines line up more easily I put a couple of wheel bolts back in the hub. That way I can turn the final drive a little to make the splines line up.

I recommend you properly phase the driveshaft Universal Joints too.
 
Thanks Paul.
I did try a shop rag but not folded the way you suggest. Also, the bike was in neutral, not in gear.

Now for what I did do right; I put bolts in the hub and marked the two shafts showing the universal joints properly phased (plus I have a flashlight to shine up the swing arm to confirm the alignment).
 
Thanks Paul.
I did try a shop rag but not folded the way you suggest. Also, the bike was in neutral, not in gear.

Now for what I did do right; I put bolts in the hub and marked the two shafts showing the universal joints properly phased (plus I have a flashlight to shine up the swing arm to confirm the alignment).

Good job!

Get the shaft centered, tranny in gear, and then get the splines engaged.

I use a big punch through the pivot hole on one side to sort of hold things until I can get a pivot started on the other side. A spare set of hands even just to hold a punch or big allen wrench in one pivot hole is very helpful.
 
i hang the FD from the subframe, usig some zipties thru the brake caliper mounting holes a cinch strap. adjust its alignment height via the cinch strap. that, or support it from underneath as Jim suggested- but not having to both hold and align the FD assy at the same time makes it waaay easier.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I'm confident that when I try to pop it in will be tomorrow night I'll be successful.

. . . and that my next spline lube will be much much quicker!
 
Back
Top