Shaft (trunnion) failure

[fcm1]

This post describes my personal experience only and is not a repair guide; anyone attempting similar work assumes all risks.


Motorcycle: K1600GTL
Year: 2012
Maintenance: On schedule and presumable in good working condition and also, presumable serviced at motorrad authorized dealer service stations.

Final drive shaft trunnion shattered
To the best of my knowledge the motorcycle had been ride by experience riders and professionally maintained at motorrad dealerships throughout its life to my current service and ownership.
When brought up (Dec2025) for inspection I was told that the noise was not concerning as these shaft bikes have a transmission lag noise that is common and not concerning. I rather disagreed and took upon myself to split it open. Glad I did. The trunnion on the final drive side was almost gone when I put it apart. Sourced a used (shaft) one. Reinstalled it and had been going on it for 700 miles without issues.

 

[omega man]

Unfortunate for you…. But great way to catch something that could get even worse.
I have a fair amount of experience with u-joints and am frequently told “lubed for life”. My response is usually- “Your life, my life or the components life”? I have found that “evaluation” of u-joints can be tricky. From the telltale ring of rust to a hands on feel of the joint through its full range of motion.
Good luck.
OM

 

[akbeemer]

Welcome to the world of the liquid cooled R1200 and R1250 GS/GSA. Driveshaft failures on these bikes have been plentiful. I typically pull the driveshafts on our bikes during winter maintenance for lubrication of the splines and inspection of the u-joints. At about 40k miles on my R1200GSA one u-joint felt notchy. A new driveshaft costed around $1,400 at the time, so I sent it to a machine shop in Green Bay, WI for repair. They put two new u-joints on the driveshaft for $200. The u-joints were German made and had zerks installed. Jump ahead to the R1250GS/GSAs. BMW recognizes that there is a problem with driveshaft failures, which they attribute to water damage. They instituted the current policy of replacing damaged driveshafts for free for the life of the motorcycle and installed one way drain valves in the bottom of swingarm. Additionally, driveshafts will be replaced at 36k miles intervals regardless of the condition of the driveshaft. They don’t even test them. When I had the driveshaft replaced on my R1250GSA at 36k I asked the tech about its condition. He said he didn’t know because he just “threw it on the pile with the rest of them”. But wait there’s more. In an unusual magnanimous gesture, BMW lowered the price of a new driveshaft to $220, a drop in price of over $1,100. With the current BMWMOA parts discount, a new driveshaft costs $200. I now carry a spare driveshaft in my sidecar when we are on long trips, especially to where dealerships are few and far between.

 

[glenvine12]

akb, BMW must have reopened the assembly line for drive shafts and therefore lowered the unit price.

I recently bought a 30,0000-mile 2016 R1200RS from a good friend. He’d just had the driveshaft replaced. I believe BMW will replace it (at some predetermined interval) for life. What a screw up!

The RS swing arm tunnel to FD boot snaps in place. What a lousy design! It pops off quite easily letting in all matter of debris. I’ve had seven Ks and Rs with the fore and aft-clamped boot. Works great-even the lame zip ties vs the beautiful stainless steel clamps is better than the current configuration.

I bought my first BMW in 1974 because I was getting tired of chain-dirt, adjustment and replacement. So far I’ve only had to replace two drive shafts. A lot of work compared to a chain. Haven’t had to do one on the side of the road…yet.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

Flash forward to the R1300 and the driveshaft gets replaced at owners cost at either 36K or 48K miles IIRC..... I am hoping for an aftermarket solution for that one from Ted Porter.

 

[fcm1]

Welcome to the world of the liquid cooled R1200 and R1250 GS/GSA. Driveshaft failures on these bikes have been plentiful. I typically pull the driveshafts on our bikes during winter maintenance for lubrication of the splines and inspection of the u-joints. At about 40k miles on my R1200GSA one u-joint felt notchy. A new driveshaft costed around $1,400 at the time, so I sent it to a machine shop in Green Bay, WI for repair. They put two new u-joints on the driveshaft for $200. The u-joints were German made and had zerks installed. Jump ahead to the R1250GS/GSAs. BMW recognizes that there is a problem with driveshaft failures, which they attribute to water damage. They instituted the current policy of replacing damaged driveshafts for free for the life of the motorcycle and installed one way drain valves in the bottom of swingarm. Additionally, driveshafts will be replaced at 36k miles intervals regardless of the condition of the driveshaft. They don’t even test them. When I had the driveshaft replaced on my R1250GSA at 36k I asked the tech about its condition. He said he didn’t know because he just “threw it on the pile with the rest of them”. But wait there’s more. In an unusual magnanimous gesture, BMW lowered the price of a new driveshaft to $220, a drop in price of over $1,100. With the current BMWMOA parts discount, a new driveshaft costs $200. I now carry a spare driveshaft in my sidecar when we are on long trips, especially to where dealerships are few and far between.

Unfortunately your post has no correlation to mine. The K1600 variants are NOT in the service bulletin that affects yours. No helping.

 

[jandhumphreyme]

Feel bad for the OP, bring a bike in for inspection, I'm presuming a dealer, so according to BMW, these are "factory trained technicians", and is told his concerns were no big deal, the favorite expression, "they all do that", until he looks himself.

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

If you are able to do so, do all the maintenance on your own bike so you can avoid bad mechanics.
You can also do a maintenance/ Tech day in your area and pick up some new tips and tricks and make new friends in the process... YRMV

 

[sandman333]

Flash forward to the R1300 and the driveshaft gets replaced at owners cost at either 36K or 48K miles IIRC..... I am hoping for an aftermarket solution for that one from Ted Porter.

Replacement of the driveshaft is now an owner maintenance item? RT or GS, or both?

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

If I understood correctly this is for all 1300’s…..

 

[AntonLargiader]

A few years ago I had the same happen in my shop. A customer with a high-miles early K16 came in for service and I just wasn't happy with a noise or vibration I was feeling on the test ride. He either didn't notice it, or did but thought it was something else, or thought it wasn't important... I forget, but I dropped the FD to inspect the shaft and sure enough the joint was in the middle of failing just like the OP's. The bike had to stay while I ordered a new driveshaft. The old one wasn't repairable as the yokes had touched each other.