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BMWMCON - Chatin'

BMW drive shaft update
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I had my driveshaft replaced and lubed Wednesday, 12/4. My 2016 RT had 60k miles on it, but no discernable problems. However, after pulling the drive shaft and inspecting it, I was shown and told that the universal joint on the lower end had unusual play, which I was told was leading to failure had it not been changed under the 36k warranty program. Of particular interest to me was that there was no noticeable play in the rear end. No amount of greasing splines or changing the differential oil would have extended the U-joint's life expectancy. 

So, I add my experience to Stanley's: if you have a watercooled boxer that is eligible (or maybe even if not yet eligible!), take it to the dealer and get it serviced!

    Jim



I went to Nashville Moto today to have shaft inspected per the letter we all received. The bike is a 2023 1250 GS. Upon inspection it was determined that the shaft needed to be replaced with only 28,500 miles on the bike.


The service department had asked me to bring the letter because they were kind of in the dark on what the program was about. While the letter did say inspection and lubing every 12,000 miles and replacement at 36,000 it did not reference what they were to before reaching 36,000. After some head scratching and calling the BMW warranty group they did honor the replacement for free. If it goes bad before the next 36,000 it may be a different story. TBD


Be aware that just because you may have lubed your spline does not necessarily mean that the everything is to spec at this point. I would certainly take advantage of the inspection.


Needless to say the service department is slow right now so I just rode the bike down and they completed the job in a couple of hours, I did have an appointment, but they were eager to schedule at a short notice. They have about a dozen shafts in stock so first come first served.



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