drive shaft disintegrated

[Dan505]

On my morning commute (94miles round) the drive shaft let go. I had the bike (88K100RS-143k miles) towed 25 miles home off the GSP ($175 was expecting 250 not bad I guess). I removed the drive & shock, rear splines look good. The drive shaft came apart at the universal which is still on the output shaft at the front of the swingarm. Is there anyway to get the front part of the shaft out. I've never removed the swingarm & if I do what should I know about. Also there were 2 small torn O-rings in there when I pulled back the drive. Thanks for any help or suggestions,Dan

[cayuse60]

Pull the swing arm. You are going to have to inspect it for any damage caused by the universal failure.
If you have the capacity, take some digital pictures and post them on this thread.

[Dan505]

OK I'll take off the pegs & dig in, I can see a little bit of scuffing in there.

[dzimbric]

Paging Paul Glaves to the repair desk.

[Dan505]

I'll try to post pics, a bit of scuffing & the bearing on the shaft side is a little notchy

[billpeloquin]

143K miles is not too bad.

[mrich12000]

If a k75 swing arm will fit I have a very good one PM me Michael..

[Dan505]

No it's not to bad at all. I ordered a new drive shaft $350, it should be here Tue. I'm trying to use the same bearings. The right side pin took some prying to get out. Any tips on getting it back together would be helpful, not to sure about any adjustments, Thanks (just wana squeak 200 out of her)

[Dan505]

mrich thanks I think the swingarm is still OK

[raven]

I'll try to post pics, a bit of scuffing & the bearing on the shaft side is a little notchy


New bearings are easier to install now rather than later...........

but if you wish to reuse notchy old ones well..........

[Dan505]

You're correct on that. the left side seems ok rolls good & seems tight. Right side was shot, was able to pull bearing with a bolt & washer on the back side vice & block of wood. (remembering a tip on steering head bearings )

[GregFeeler]

On my morning commute (94miles round) the drive shaft let go. I had the bike (88K100RS-143k miles) towed 25 miles home off the GSP ($175 was expecting 250 not bad I guess). I removed the drive & shock, rear splines look good. The drive shaft came apart at the universal which is still on the output shaft at the front of the swingarm. Is there anyway to get the front part of the shaft out. I've never removed the swingarm & if I do what should I know about. Also there were 2 small torn O-rings in there when I pulled back the drive. Thanks for any help or suggestions,Dan

From your recent posts it looks like you are on the right track. A friend of mine had the same failure on his K1100RS and was able to reuse the swing arm. BUT, there was some damage to the inside support land for the right side swing arm bearing. Do a careful inspection to make sure that area hasn't been compromised.

[Dan505]

Thanks, just a few burs on the outside edge of the r/s stop which I cleaned. Now just waiting on the new drive shaft & r/s bearing. Hope to be up & running by Sat.

[PGlaves]

Paging Paul Glaves to the repair desk.

I'm here! Specific question??

[Dan505]

parts are in , here goes 1. does the flush side of bearing go in & rest at the stop? 2. with no special BMW tool what would be the best way to adjust the swing arm pivot bearings (I was thinking a socket grabbed with a vice grip & hex key through the socket)? 3. what should the proper adjustment feel like. & 4. how hard do I hit the drive shaft for the clip to lock on the output, I read somewhere you have to hit it hard to get it to lock on. Thanks

[st3ryder]

No it's not to bad at all. I ordered a new drive shaft $350, it should be here Tue. I'm trying to use the same bearings. The right side pin took some prying to get out. Any tips on getting it back together would be helpful, not to sure about any adjustments, Thanks (just wana squeak 200 out of her)

Make sure the whole bearing is out, including the outer shell, as they can come apart, ie the tapered rollers and the inner shell will come out as one piece, leaving the outer shell still in the swing arm. To replace, freeze the *new* bearings for a few hours, I wouldn't reuse them, when they are ready, use a heat gun and warm up the swing arm bearing hole very well, put the frozen bearing over the hole, so it's *flat/level*, and place a socket that fits the *outer* shell's outside diameter very closely over the bearings *outer* shell, and tap it home with a hammer. It should go in very easily, ie one good tap.

[Dan505]

I installed the bearing the other day just before your post. 2nd tap with the hammer & I knew I should have put the bearing in the freezer. I did get the bearing in straight but had to really slam on it. I'll install the swing arm this weekend, trying lock tight on the threaded pivot pin & then a torque wrench. Thanks