Service Bulletin but not for the RS?

[36654]

Do you remove the rear hinge pivot or just let the final drive unit swing down?

The shaft can be removed by only letting the FD swing down. No need to remove the FD (unless the rear spline is seized on and the transmission end is loose).

Grumpy,

Since the spring clip isn't (or likely isn't) installed, does the forward end of the shaft slide aft, off of the spline?

[Grumpy Goat]

Since the spring clip isn't (or likely isn't) installed, does the forward end of the shaft slide aft, off of the spline?

Yes. That’s why I didn’t bother installing the spring clip after I bought it. The main benefit is that it should hold the shaft in place while you drop the FD, unlike what happened to me the first time I pulled my shaft (as you would see in the video). Knowing that there is no clip I just make sure to hold the shaft in place as I rotate the FD down. If I were to bring the bike to the dealer I’d make sure to tell them to watch out for this potential event.