wheel splines

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I had a flat rear tire late last summer, when I took the wheel off to repair it I noticed that the splines in the wheel seemed to be quite loose. Later in the year I replaced both tires, the mechanic told me that those splines are seriously in need of attention. Being the end of the season I asked him to just re-assemble the thing, and went on my way.

Now it's months later and the thought of those splines is haunting me.

Is there anything I can do without replacing the hub and input spline?

Has anyone else had this problem?

77 R 100/7 "S-ized" with 77,000 miles.

[kbasa]

In my experience, no.

Those splines will need to be replaced one way or another. Whether it's by replacing or rebuilding the final drive is your choice.

When my RS used up its final drive splines, I bought a used final drive.

[kioolt]

The spline on the rear drive can be welded and then machined to get good splines back on it. The wheel hub can be replaced. May as well get the rear drive resealed while your doing it.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I stopped in to my local BMW dealer yesterday, the parts alone come to about $580. The splines are on the other end of the crown gear. If I have to buy a crown gear I might as well get a new pinion gear as they should be a matched set. That'll put the price up still more.

does anyone have a less expensive way of solving this problem?

[kioolt]

There are people that will take the crown gear spline and weld it up and remachine the spline. You may want to look in the BMW Owners News or On The Level to locate someone that does that now. You could also try checking Bob's BMW website. I believe he lists the price for this type of service. That's what I had done at Bob's BMW over ten years ago. I can't remember what the cost was.

[lorazepam]

Try this guy, he specializes in spline repair http://www.brunos.us/Bevel%20drives.htm

Go to the for sale section, he has a set for sale that may fit your bike.

[brooksie]

R&E Cycle used R100 stuff (http://www.motorsmart.com/recycle.htm#Featured%20Used)
You might try to deal with the guys at R&E..I think they are close
Good luck!

[donkey doctor]

Hello; Thanks for the advice guys, That's what this forum does so well.

[mthelmet]

Check with bob's BMW IN MD. or Speeds also in MD.

I had my R90/6 rear splines repaired , 96/97 . cost at that time was about $225. This included all new seals if bearing are needed I think they were extra.
Both bobs and Speed advertise in the BMWON.:bliss :bliss

[lorazepam]

Hey DD, did you get hooked up yet? Hope that the info you got made the difference. I think Brunos is in Canada, so no duty on the used stuff.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I went to RECYCLE today, he has a bit of BMW stuff but we searched and couldn't find the final drive. I "E"'d Bruno on Thursday, so far no reply. I'm not in a huge hurry, May is when I insure the bike.

[Ozadventurerider]

I have never have had the splines loosen as they are riverted very strongly. However I once had to replace a worn spline ring (sidecar use) and replace it. Using an angle grinder, grind bach the rivert heards and tap out using a drift. I then got stainless bolts with a shoulder that was a firm fit in teh original holes. Held in by nylock nuts on the ouside of the hub.

Still going strong 10 years on ! Hope this assits.

[lkchris]

These guys are often cited as a superb repair source:

http://www.hansensmc.com/spline.html

[Brownie]

Very common problem....they can be re-created by skilled machinist...look for ads in MOA/RA mags; I had mine done a few years back by Thoroughbred I believe.

I believe most people have the drive spline repaired, the wheel hub will be more difficult, and expensive.

Once you have them rebuilt, grease splines EVERY time wheel is off!