1150GS Clutch Failure

[SecretSquirrel]

Hi all. Newbie posting.
I have owned a GS since February. It's got 32k on the clock and the clutch failed today with no warning.
No prior slipping or noises. I was in a 30 zone when I lost drive and heard some horrible screeching noises coming from the back of the engine.
Pulling in the clutch and engaging neutral whilst still rolling didn't help stop the noise.
I pulled over and stopped the engine and restarted and there was no screeching until I operated the clutch level.
Called RAC and got taken home. The RAC man suggested a clutch basket failure.
My question to the panel is, shall I tackle the inspection myself? I'm use to rebuilding Jap engine and have all the necessary tools ETC.
Wot I don't have yet is any knowledge of BMW mechanics. I realise it means removing the whole back end, but is it better to find an expert to look at it?

Cheers
Chris (Epsom)

 

[ciderman gs]

worst case it could be the input splines from clutch to gearbox it has been known that the splines wear and hey presto no drive and a lot of noise if you do a search you will find all you need to know

 

[Welshman]

Hi all. Newbie posting.
I have owned a GS since February. It's got 32k on the clock and the clutch failed today with no warning.
No prior slipping or noises. I was in a 30 zone when I lost drive and heard some horrible screeching noises coming from the back of the engine.
Pulling in the clutch and engaging neutral whilst still rolling didn't help stop the noise.
I pulled over and stopped the engine and restarted and there was no screeching until I operated the clutch level.
Called RAC and got taken home. The RAC man suggested a clutch basket failure.
My question to the panel is, shall I tackle the inspection myself? I'm use to rebuilding Jap engine and have all the necessary tools ETC.
Wot I don't have yet is any knowledge of BMW mechanics. I realise it means removing the whole back end, but is it better to find an expert to look at it?

Cheers
Chris (Epsom)

Sorry butyour RAC man is a Genius, go ask mim to find the clutch "basket" he knows nowt about BMW,s.

But doesnt sound good.

Welsh

 

[D6]

if your half decent wi the spanners its not a hard job, its same as a rear wheel drive car,single plate etc,

 

[SecretSquirrel]

To be fair, he said the GS clutch is similar to a car clutch. I've looked on various forums and can see what he means.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

worst case it could be the input splines from clutch to gearbox it has been known that the splines wear and hey presto no drive and a lot of noise if you do a search you will find all you need to know

I've seen the posts about the spline problem. I would have suspected more warning of a failure if the splines had worn, but you could be right.
Is the warranty 3 years on transmissions? If so, I might try Vines at Guildford to see what they can offer.

 

[Spout]

The drive shaft is two parts with a rubber cush/joint/connection (you'll know what I mean when you see it!).
Excessive use of the throttle/clutch can cause the rubber to become worn enough for the two parts to "spin" = no drive. Can be sudden.
I remembert Bushboy (Casey) stripping the back of his bike off to put a new clutch in after a sudden loss of "go", only to discover it was his shaft.

 

[davegs]

It will be drive shaft it certainly is not the clutch BMWs do not have a "clutch basket" usually known as the clutch drum if not drive shaft will be gear box, if this has to come out put a new clutch in any way.

 

[Steptoe]

The noise you describe is conclusive to clutch splines worn, or the friction material disintegrating and falling off the plate ( happens a lot for some reason), take the starter motor off and have a look.
But you'll need a clutch anyway so thats all by the by.

If it's the clutch friction plate splines, hopefully the gearbox input splines aren't to damaged as well.

It won't be the shaft slipping, that gives the symptoms of clutch slip and is noiseless.

 

[nunesaf]

Hi all. Newbie posting.
I have owned a GS since February. It's got 32k on the clock and the clutch failed today with no warning.
No prior slipping or noises. I was in a 30 zone when I lost drive and heard some horrible screeching noises coming from the back of the engine.
Pulling in the clutch and engaging neutral whilst still rolling didn't help stop the noise.
I pulled over and stopped the engine and restarted and there was no screeching until I operated the clutch level.
Called RAC and got taken home. The RAC man suggested a clutch basket failure.
My question to the panel is, shall I tackle the inspection myself? I'm use to rebuilding Jap engine and have all the necessary tools ETC.
Wot I don't have yet is any knowledge of BMW mechanics. I realise it means removing the whole back end, but is it better to find an expert to look at it?

Cheers
Chris (Epsom)

Hi Chris,

I am not a BMW expert - I am just a DIY level 4 (According to Haynes) and I live in Leatherhead. Should you wish to give it a try, I volunteer to help with your bike. I have tools to do the job... I think

Cheers,
Afonso

 

[SecretSquirrel]

The noise you describe is conclusive to clutch splines worn, or the friction material disintegrating and falling off the plate ( happens a lot for some reason), take the starter motor off and have a look.
But you'll need a clutch anyway so thats all by the by.

If it's the clutch friction plate splines, hopefully the gearbox input splines aren't to damaged as well.

It won't be the shaft slipping, that gives the symptoms of clutch slip and is noiseless.

Many thanks for your reply Steptoe.
I suspect it's either worn splines or the clutch friction plate has disintegrated.
I've been on to Vines this morning just to check the warranty situation before I attempt a strip down. It is of course out of warranty. They asked me to drop the bike off to them for a look before they would consider any goodwill work/payment being considered.
That, I suspect will be a bad idea (for the wallet), so I think I will start the investigation myself.
I know there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum and I will greatly appreciate any help I receive.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Hi Chris,

I am not a BMW expert - I am just a DIY level 4 (According to Haynes) and I live in Leatherhead. Should you wish to give it a try, I volunteer to help with your bike. I have tools to do the job... I think

Cheers,
Afonso

Many thanks for the offer. I'll be in contact

 

[nunesaf]

Many thanks for the offer. I'll be in contact

Ok,

I will be around this for week only and then I will be off to the Alpes for two weeks on my 1150GS

A few tips:
1) Grab yourself a hot gun to remove the pivot bearings
2) get a car jack to hold the frame towards the bike (just to play on the safe side)
3) Read this: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=286318&highlight=Deep


And be patient , the machine is always right!

 

[Steptoe]

A few tips:
1) Grab yourself a hot gun to remove the pivot bearings
!

A few tips for you - No need to remove any pivot bearings the gearbox/swingarm/bevel all come out as one unit.

 

[shready]

Many thanks for your reply Steptoe.
I suspect it's either worn splines or the clutch friction plate has disintegrated.
I've been on to Vines this morning just to check the warranty situation before I attempt a strip down. It is of course out of warranty. They asked me to drop the bike off to them for a look before they would consider any goodwill work/payment being considered.
That, I suspect will be a bad idea (for the wallet), so I think I will start the investigation myself.
I know there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum and I will greatly appreciate any help I receive.

The advice I would give is to avoid main dealers and do a search for independents on here.

Unless of course you are handy with tools.

You're in Epsom so the obvious choice has to be Steptoe, he's da man

Also, pay your subs and get the most out this place.

 

[nunesaf]

A few tips for you - No need to remove any pivot bearings the gearbox/swingarm/bevel all come out as one unit.

Thanks for correcting me: the hot gun is just for you to break in the thread lock of the pivots (you don't need to remove the bearings)

However, could the spline lines seized elsewhere along the transmission? What are the odds steptoe?

 

[(RIP) Jamie]

A masterclass in clutch replacement



Don't thank me now.

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks for correcting me: the hot gun is just for you to break in the thread lock of the pivots (you don't need to remove the bearings)

However, could the spline lines seized elsewhere along the transmission? What are the odds steptoe?

You don't need to disassemble any of the drive train.

Whats is spline line seizure ???

I've never had or heard of anyone having any problems whatsoever when removing the gearbox and drivetrain as one unit.

 

[nunesaf]

You don't need to disassemble any of the drive train.

Whats is spline line seizure ???

I've never had or heard of anyone having any problems whatsoever when removing the gearbox and drivetrain as one unit.

We are all assuming the faulty splines are those attached to the clutch. This assumption could not be right though.

 

[Steptoe]

We are all assuming the faulty splines are those attached to the clutch. This assumption could not be right though.

Very very doubtful. Shafts snap, but very very rarely lose thier splines. I've never seen one on an 1100/1150.

Take the starter motor off, turn the rear wheel by hand while the bike is in gear, you can just see the gearbox input shaft, does it turn as you turn the wheel ?.
You can't see the section of shaft where the splines will have worn, that'll be to easy.