Driveshaft snap-ring fitting

Hayden · Post by **Hayden** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:12 am

first of all apologies for this massive numpy question, but my brains not functioning today...

I`am about to refit the driveshaft ( propshaft) back onto the gearbox output shaft but first need to install a new snap-ring, so, the stupid question is: Do I fit the snap ring onto the output shaft groove in the splines or into the `female` splined grove on the propshaft?...

Logic would say the output shaft but I cant see how it stays in place when banging the prop back on..

Also, gearbox output shaft seal fitting, any suggestions how to get on without damaging it, ( heating up, cooling down?) I`ve looking in my toolbox twice now and I definately don`t have BMW tool No. 23 4 732..

Sorry...

gus · Post by **gus** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:18 am

Hi
Snap ring on gearbox output shaft. Hit prop shaft with a rubber mallet to fully engage onto shaft and seat over snap ring. Sorry cant help with seal as i have never changed one.
Gus

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:19 am

According to Haynes book of bodges it fits to the drive shaft [propshaft]

Just about one of the parts i have not had appart

Hope this helps Dai

gus · Post by **gus** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:26 am

I,m thinking dai is right and i am wrong. Its been a long time since i delved into that part of the bike.
Gus

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:28 am

gus wrote:I,m thinking dai is right and i am wrong. Its been a long time since i delved into that part of the bike.
Gus

I was just going to say listen to you as you have done the job i haven't

Hope some one can sort this Dai

Dog Tyred · Post by **Dog Tyred** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:54 pm

Well the manual is next to useless.

To re-install the drive shaft is says;

Coat the splines with Staburags NBU 30 PTM ( I assume this means grease?)

Fit drive shaft to output shaft

Engage the sanp ring with gentle blows (plastic mallet)

Hope that helps

Personally I would suggest fitting the snap ring to the output shaft (just to be different

When you took it apart did the snap ring come out with the drive shaft or did it stay on the output shaft? Common sense says that it should be located into the deeper of the two groves which will let it expand/contract enough to allow it to expand to go over the output shaft splines or compress enough to allow the splines within the drive pass over it.

As for the tool you mention I don't think this relates to bearing application. It just looks like a protective cover for the splined shaft. The manual calss it an assembly sleeve?

Oops edit that last comment. I think the tool is to knock the new seal home

Found an interesting thread here

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41193

DT

simon · Post by **simon** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 4:41 pm

... pretty sure I've never seen a snap-ring on the gearbox output shaft all the times I've had mine off (i.e. it's been in the female end).
Plus never replaced the ring.. are you meant to each time? Never seen mention of doing so

WRT gearbox seal, wrap tape around the splines.. You'll need a suitably sized tube drift of various origin (box spanner peut-etre ..Sorry DTG ..vielleicht) to knock it home..

r550s · Post by **r550s** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:01 pm

All this lateral thinking...
It's never occurred to me to put the snap ring anywhere other than in the groove on the gearbox shaft before reassembly.
I suppose you could put it in the female spline, but if it dislodged when you did the mallet thing, how would you know for sure? If it dislodged during the former method, you'd at least see it at the front of the driveshaft?
As for the seal, here's another vote for tape over the splines and then just tapping it into place with a big socket (or a drift if you've got zen self control).

Hayden · Post by **Hayden** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:55 pm

Thanks for the replies gents...

Simon your right, in as much as normally you would not replace these rings as a matter of course, the trouble was when I took the prop out I had one snap-ring left in place in the female, ie. CV joint end at the bevel box, the other was left on the male end, ie. on the output shaft, so I had no point of reference for re-assembly.

To make matters worse the one on the output shaft was not located in the grove, but further up the splines towards the gearbox, presumably as a result of some previous heavy handedness, when the prop was knocked back on this must have relocated further up the shaft opening out in the process, hence the need for replacement, and the reason for my question.

All this may account for the extra transmission `clunk` when pulling away that I don`t remember on my previous R11.
The same heavy handed what-not must have torqued the left frame pivot for the swing arm up to god knows what, I needed a three foot bar to get enough leverage to turn the pivot, sweating that the frame would not strip at the same time..

... 7Nm and threadlock, I don`t think so..

I didn`t have a swing arm before, just an arm..

DT, for Staburags NBU 30 PTM, just read as any Moly grease!..

Anyway whilst all this faffings been going on at least I`ve had a chance to tidy things up a bit and get some painting done on the arm etc.

cheers chaps..

Steptoe · Post by **Steptoe** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:37 am

The Snap ring fits into drive shaft. Then drive shaft is fitted onto output shaft.

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:34 pm

Steptoe wrote:The Snap ring fits into drive shaft. Then drive shaft is fitted onto output shaft.

Believe this man

Hayden · Post by **Hayden** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 8:41 pm

Steptoe wrote:The Snap ring fits into drive shaft. Then drive shaft is fitted onto output shaft.

Cheers Steptoe, having mulled it over for a day or so that`s the conclusion I came to, allways nice to have it confirmed though..

I`am presuming the previous butcher dropped it into the groove on the output shaft and banging the prop on drove it up the output shaft till it had no where to go, finding it where I did, did make me wonder if I was doing the right thing..

Thanks

Steve