BMW R1200RT Driveshaft Inspection

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[@markc3085]

Thinking of picking up an 01 R1100 RT-P, and I expect any videos like this will be really useful in addition to the service manual! It's always nice to see the work being done first by someone who knows what they're doing! Thanks for your hard work!

[@TheBMWGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@twlund]

Hey thanks a lot. I’m considering going from a 2008 RT to a 2017. I was a bit overwhelmed with all the technology adds and worried I would be able to continue doing my own maintenance. This gives me confidence. Thanks a ton!!

[@jakaberdajs4378]

You say thank you for watching, but no, thank you for filming... These videos are awesome and show everything.

[@TheBMWGuy]

I appreciate that!

[@hrmacdonald4471]

Excellent video!

[@rogerbranch5461]

Thanks for the information, this helps tremendously because I do my own maintenance

[@pettynerd1285]

Great video, I'll have to look at doing this on my RT.

[@user-cx5lr2kn8e]

Great video easy to follow and understand

[@rayweeks1056]

Excellent video…!!!! Thank you for sharing this…!!!

[@TheBMWGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alainleblanc4031]

Superb videos, thank you! You explain things very well and your videos are thorough. The only extra step I would consider is to always wipe the disc with brake cleaner after you have manipulated it so that the grease off your hands does not contaminate the pads. Small step but makes the job perfect.

[@clifficus]

@alainleblanc4031 In over 50 years working on cars and bikes, (ex Police workshops and servicing Rally cars on the circuit of Ireland) wiping the pads, disks, or brake shoes to remove fingerprints has to be the stupidest and most idiotic suggestion I’ve ever heard, it’s not going to the moon, that residue will be gone within the first 30 seconds of use.

[@alainleblanc4031]

@@clifficus off your meds? Take a chill pill

[@MikeHarveyPhoto]

great video I did try to get mine out was not happy so stopped but will try your way and see. I just want to lube the splines 2018 RT

[@jeffshootsstuff]

Another great video.

[@TheBMWGuy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jeffbarner2331]

Thanks for info on the circle clip

[@hansposselt2096]

Really good video😀

[@RGSABloke]

Great video. BMW replaced the shark on my 2019 R1250GSA with 2,300mls on it. It failed the test when getting serviced. The technician told me the price of the shafts has drastically dropped her in the UK. I’m guessing it’s because so many out of warranty bikes needed them and BMW central was trying to ward off the bad publicity, much like the disastrous use of the Hayes callipers. Kindest regards from Bonnie Scotland. Joe.

[@brads8459]

good easy to explain video

[@4637bigred]

About a year ago you made a video about your 1977 r100rs. Any updates ? Also, great video as always.

[@emfl4437]

Thanks!

[@TheBMWGuy]

Welcome!

[@steveh2544]

Ace 👍

[@curthenry9398]

I cannot see in the video, are the u-joints still in phase? I believe the cause of the BMW drive shaft failure is the that the cush in the shaft deforms. Causing the u-joints out of alinement. Out of alinement u-joints cause binding on every revolution of the shaft. The binding in the u-joints cause wear in the u-joint bearings. Thank you for the videos and being an independant BMW mechanic. I try send customers your way. Curt

[@tonyevansvideos]

Hi from Queensland Australia, great channel with excellent explanations, Thank you. I have a 2006 R1200gsa with just 35,000km on it and even though it's a bit clunky down low, it runs well and I love it. The one issue I have is with the steering and more to the point the front end wobbles if I take my hands off the bars (at any speed). I have had the wheels balanced, I have changed weight around on the bike, tried everything but can't fix the problem. I have not been able to find a GS-related video on the subject, Can you give me some advice. Thanks Tony

[@jarikivimaki8686]

Well done video and clever exchange (may I say so, English is not my first language) . How old and how many miles has been ridden on that bike?

[@emfl4437]

Thanks for the video, much appreciate it. My RT has about 35K miles. Is there a recommended service to replace it?

[@Thecougar66]

Thanks for the video. Do you have to remove the oil in the Final drive to remove the shaft?

[@paulsire]

Another informative upload. According to BMW, the shock is a non serviceable part and requires a new shock also. Would be interested to find out if there is a company re-conditioning shafts. Also my 2019 gs shaft failed and it failed on fractions of a millimeter, something that wouldn't be noticed by a rider, so by that logic, the one in the upload failed a long time ago

[@LMO169]

Andreas Mattern from Germany retrofits u-joints with zerk fittings to the driveshaft of the 1200/1250 series and all kinds of other BMW stuff.

[@russorsvr]

Doesn't look that bad , very important to lube the splines so doesn't rust and becomes solid with the rest of the bike. And yes you can replace the U joints , I had my done for the fraction of the price for a new shaft , I paid around 150€ for 2 new joints, paint , shipping and labour. Here in Spain the shaft is around 900€ new. Now after BMW admits it is a serviceable item, now they recommend to lube every 20.000K ,and change if necessary with 60.000K , 80.000K for the new 1300GS I think there is a new part nº for much less money.

[@keithert]

Did you put any kind of lube on the u-joints? Would the procedure on an '08 be the same?

[@motulgranpasso5416]

Well done, never expect such an easy job😂 ... Recommend a special gear oil?

[@thornscoop2]

Here in the UK I just had a letter from BMW stating that the K50’s series to K54, 1200 & 1250, have their card a shaft replaced every 36,000miles and it’s carried out free by BMW! And for the life of the vehicle, so they will replace it every 36000 miles. They also recommend inspecting and greasing the shaft every 12000 miles.

[@GotToThink4yourself]

I’ve got a 2005 gs and RT. The GS needs the front driveshaft seal replaced. Is a video on this on your channel? Film one if not? Please....

[@beemrdon52]

Did you reconnect the circlip up front? Thanks for the demonstration.

[@iamwezlee1]

Any recommendations regarding where to best shop for the driveshaft? Do you sell them?

[@derhiob8493]

So far, so good 💪 But please use Silikon Spray instead of WD 40. It's a greasing spray, keeps the junction between rubber and aluminium housing kind of more water tight and the rubber flexible. WD 40 is no lubricant, it's a solvent... What about the additional water valve / drainage at the bottom of the driveshaft housing, BMW recommends in the latest call to be installed by the dealership ?? Have'nt heard of it yet ? The reason for all the trouble is water getting in the housing through the rubber hose and not finding a way out and in the end causing rust at the driveshaft ... It's an official worldwide recall by BMW for 440000 bikes!!!

[@user-jw9yh8tb6v]

I'm riding an '06 R1200RT-P. Any way to diagnose the driveshaft without removing it besides feeling a vibration like your other job? Put it on the center stand, put it in gear and move the rear wheel back and forth? Use a stethoscope and listen near the boot as it runs in gear?

[@user-jy5gl1ul9e]

Have you a video instructing someone how to lower the front and rear suspension on a 2009 R1200RT with manual shocks?

[@afhostie]

What kind of spline lube should we use?

[@elithegreat6463]

Relatively easy/straight forward job, but as I stated in the psst, these K1600's can become huge money-pits, that probably should be traded before the 3/year-36K mile warranty, that or at least get an extended warranty that you should read any fine print to not be taken with fine print BS.

[@watsonf3b]

Except this is not a K1600.

[@lovethecarrib]

I have a 2016 1200RT with 14,000 miles. This bike has always had rough shifting from 1st to 2nd gear and some from 2nd to 3rd gear at higher RPM. I've seen others complain about this as well. It's flawless when the engine is cold but becomes rought as it warms up. I've learned to shift at low RPM's until I'm in 3rd gear. Is the thinner oil is the problem? Any thoughts???

[@colind7875]

I could not get my shaft to lock on the gearbox end, is it okay like this please?

[@davecooper3238]

Worth checking with your BMW dealer. BMW are replacing shafts etc FOC on a number of models.

[@fred3853]

Hello, I have a R1150R that makes a mechanical noise towards the transmission when I put the gas in neutral but when I press the clutch this noise stops. Do you know if I should be worried and what the problem is please. Thank you very much and thank you for all these videos. See you soon from a friend in France

[@sam80036]

Why does the drive shaft, which is said to never need to be replaced, still fail?

[@salezx8823]

But what oil did you put in? Gear oil? what oil? My O-ring died and I have no oil there, I need to put some but I don't have time now for repairing O-ring... What oil goes there?

[@pthunell]

What is the mileage on the bike that the customer wanted to replace as preventative maintenance? Asking as a new BMW R1250GS owner. Thanks.

[@TheBMWGuy]

I mentioned mileage towards the end of the video. I forget exactly what it was but I believe it was around 40,000.

[@siruga]

My r1200rt 2009 have 108000 miles... i think its about to die... 😞

[@TwoHawksHunting]

I hope the 2024 BMWs GS 1300s won't have this same issue. 3:53

[@TheBMWGuy]

doubt it, one can hope.

[@scottdouglas4002]

I Australia, BMW are replacing these free of charge. I believe they do this in other countries?

[@TheBMWGuy]

yes, they just started doing this in the US

[@WiekingderViking]

Both the male and female splines should have the moly grease “scrubbed into” the full length of the splines with, e.g. a small toothbrush. Grease in haste, regret at leisure, IMHO.

[@thebikegeekandmore2448]

BMW should ditch the shaftdrive and go for chaindrive combined with boxer engine

[@specialandroid1603]

Nice video but what a lot of messing around. Get a bike with a low maitenance chain.

[@davekintz7170]

Why can't BMW make a driveshaft!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????? My Honda's with over 100,000 miles are like new!!!

[@beemrdon52]

The driveshafts are cheap. About $200. One hour installation.

[@szabolcsfejer1338]

that's bs... get it to a drive shaft repair place, where they repair 4x4, trucks drive shafts, they will do it in 1 day!!

[@tenbear5]

So many BMW failures being reported these days. These behemoths have never appealed but now i wouldn’t touch one with yours.

[@knuckles-3386]

Are these bikes being made in China by any chance

[@tenbear5]

@@knuckles-3386 i think they are, yes.

[@markkenyon22]

Thanks!

[@TheBMWGuy]

You bet! thanks for the support

[@jimm4260]

@@TheBMWGuy what’s going on with the store site? Will you have it up soon?

[@TheBMWGuy]

@@jimm4260 we are going thru some changes with my supplier. It may be awhile until I’m back on my feet.

[@jimm4260]

@@TheBMWGuy looking forward to you working that out. 👍