First driveshaft inspection 2008 R1200RT

[ktmdon]

After some consideration, I've decided to keep my 2008 RT for the duration. It has a nice low level of technology, and I've gotten it set up to my liking. I bought the bike used with 5K miles, just reached 40K. I've done all my own service, which I do enjoy doing. I have not checked the splines on either end of the drive shaft yet.

I'm planning my next service, and after reading a lot of drive shaft failure horror stores, I'd like to remove and inspect the drive shaft, as well as lubricating both splines. I've watched several videos, and although it looks tedious re-aligning the shaft and the transmission output shaft during re-assembly, it does seems straightforward. I do have a lift that I use for maintenance, so everything will be relatively easy to access.

Any words of advice for someone doing this for the first time? I've seen some recommendations for spline lube, TS-60 would probably be my first choice. I was planning on using the specified (but expensive) NBU 30 to seal the boots during re-assembly.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dduelin]

I think you will know a lot about general health of the DS by dropping the final drive down and examining the splines and the U-joint there. I replaced the original shaft of my 2007 RT at 120,000 miles with a rebuilt OEM which I pulled out 25,000 miles later for inspection and regreasing splines and U-joint bearings. I won't pull it again for at least 36,000 miles unless it gives me reason to. Currently 158,xxx miles. The original was in fine shape at 120,000 and it is on the shelf as a spare if I need another one to rebuild. Not all OEMs make those kind of miles of course. I use the Haynes manual and you are right, it's sort of tedious R & R but nothing to jump out and bite you. I did have the advantage of the original final drive that required dropping down every 12,000 miles to change the FD oil so I saw and lubed the rear spline often. At 120,000 I replaced the swing arm and FD with a 2008 one.

 

[drneo66]

No alignment necessary on your 2008 - it's all one piece.

Here's a big rant that I put together about your hexhead driveshaft - https://forums.bmwmoa.org/threads/a-guide-to-the-hexhead-camhead-final-drive-and-shaft-drive.96845/

If you haven't yet gone over to the tech library - there's a lot of good info - including a step-by-step tutorial on how to change your fluid/lube the driveshaft:
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/forums/hexheads-camheads-diy-tech-library.44/

 

[ktmdon]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! When all was said and done, the driveshaft and matching splines were in dandy shape. It appears that the splines were minimally lubed with anti seize, some residue on the inside of the paralever tube. The shaft itself looked pristine.
Dealing with the boots was a frustrating experience, as was lining up the shaft with transmission spline. But with some patience everything went together, using the spline lube sourced from the local BMW dealer.
I did discover leaking fluid from the rear brake master cylinder, so it was worth doing the deep dive. I should be set for a good number of miles now.