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BMW drive shaft update
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Stanley Bryan
12/6/2024 5:34 PM

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.



Jim Allen
12/6/2024 7:44 PM
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



Eric Sipe
10/27/2025 11:14 AM

All,


i have a 2016 GS1200, and i received a recall about a small opening that could possibly let dirt water, etc. into the shaft, and BMW was letting me know to bring it in to the dealer to have it inspected, possibly replaced, but also that it would be listed as a lifetime warranty item going forward, did anyone else receive this from BMW?


Ray Mirra
10/27/2025 12:13 PM
I have a 2016 r1200rt and at 36400 mi I had driveshaft replaced under warranty. No issue.  Also don’t k own about the breather 
Ray mirra 
Nashville 
Sent from my iPhone

Jim Allen
10/27/2025 1:05 PM
I think the "breather" was just for the GSs, not the fine RTs.

    Jim



Steve Jacobs
10/27/2025 2:57 PM
My 2018 R1200GSA had the rear drive and  shaft replaced and the valve installed by the dealer at no charge.  There was considerable rust and there was only about 10,000 miles on the bike   It’s supposed to get re-examined at 36,000 miles.  If necessary they will replace it again at no charge if necessary.  It was done at Nash Moto right after Bloodworth’s transferred the ownership.  

I thought that was spectacular since I went through 3 final drives with no backing from BMW nor Bloodworth’s. One on my 1995 R1100 GS and one on my 2000 R1150GS and one on my R1150 GSA.






Jonathan Bloodworth
10/27/2025 6:41 PM
Yes.  If memory serves, the drive shaft is now a maintenance inspection item and will be replaced free of charge if it is out of specification. 



--
Jonathan C. Bloodworth
615-943-0538
Eric Sipe
10/27/2025 11:15 AM

All,


i have a 2016 GS1200, and i received a recall about a small opening that could possibly let dirt water, etc. into the shaft, and BMW was letting me know to bring it in to the dealer to have it inspected, possibly replaced, but also that it would be listed as a lifetime warranty item going forward, did anyone else receive this from BMW?


Skip Neuhoff
10/27/2025 12:13 PM
Yes. It is legit. Essentially, they will install a one way valve that allows retained water to drain and prevent rusting. If there has been any damage it will be repaired. All at no chage.

John (Skip) Neuhoff


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