BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

How much of an issue is it to drop the shaft.

burridge01 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 24, 2023 5:16 pm How much of an issue is it to drop the shaft.

I suppose it depends on how mechanically minded you are

I could probably get it out and back in within a few hours taking my time to clean and inspect everything.

The hardest part is the front boot and removing the shaft from that end and then connecting it all back up again

But overall its not too bad

I found it quite easy to do the rear splines just taking my time, I want to pull it out though and grease the front, I’ve ordered the cable ties for the front boot as ordinary ones won’t fit apparently, I’m also going to try a thin wire hooked onto the front UJ and see if I can reattach it ‘Blind’

sakm wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:37 pmI haven't seen a great deal of info on the driveshaft failures.

What exactly is the problem.

Is it just related to moisture getting in the tunnel causing corrosion.

What preventative maintenance can you take to make sure your shaft lasts you a long time.

As you may be aware, there is a "Technical Campaign" on some 1250 GS's and RT's to retrofit a one-way drain valve in the swingarm, to allow moisture out of the tunnel.

David. wrote: ↑Sat Mar 25, 2023 11:32 am As you may be aware, there is a "Technical Campaign" on some 1250 GS's and RT's to retrofit a one-way drain valve in the swingarm, to allow moisture out of the tunnel.

I heard that only about GS, actually I have service booked for 6th of April, and I asked BMW when I booked it. They told me that's only apply to GS.
Do you, or maybe someone else have the "campaign" number which I can present to BMW? I'll try flash it when will be handed over my bike. Will see if that will work.

I have 21yom. One of the first with TFT.

Arek wrote: ↑Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:47 amDo you have the "campaign" number which I can present to BMW.

Have a look at this thread, viewtopic.php?t=6620&hilit=one+way+valve

Use this BMW Recall Check website, https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/footer/quick-l ... calls.html

Its a serious issue, and as BMW has put two fingers up to us with the RT, its either a mass (sort of) letter writing campaign ,ignore it (shouldnt be an option, certainly not for me) or do it youself.Which I have.New shaft is £900 so i removed,cleaned and checked the old one,then refitted.I used new boots either end then smoke tested the cardan tunnel to eliminate the possibility of water ingress.At least I know its been done properly.BMW customer care is a joke.

Did you fit the one way valve. Apparently the valve is not only to release moisture, but the reason moisture ends up in the tunnel is the spinning of the shaft builds up pressure which forces the boots away and that lets water in.

Wierpig wrote: ↑Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:20 pmSmoke tested the cardan tunnel to eliminate the possibility of water ingress.

That sounds interesting, how did you do that.

Were you expecting to see smoke drawn towards or blown away from swingarm (cardan tunnel) if there were any leaks.

How did you smoke test a sealed unit?

What I'm trying to understand is whether a cardan shaft rotating within a swingarm creates a vacuum, pressure or neither. Both have been given as reasons for fitting the one-way valve to the swingarm. Some discussion within this thread, viewtopic.php?t=6620&hilit=vacuum but no conclusion drawn.

Can anyone please explain this phenomenon, thank you.

I drilled the hole for the vent but tapped it and have put a screw in it.Ill monitor the water build up.The smoke was introduced into the vent hole under low pressure.If the boots arent leaking, im at a loss as to where any water production comes from.My last 2014 RT sufferred a seized shaft to the final drive that was impossible to free without damage.

The reason BMW give for the exclusion of the RT is horse shit.The angle of the uj,s is greater on the GS models.Its the water ingress and rust that finishes them off..