12GS Rear Wheel Play

[Activmoto]

I have play in the rear wheel of my 12GS, backing off the brake pads and measuring the play with a dial guage at the wheel rim it is 2.2mm. I have been informed the tolerance is 3mm at the rim.

Rear wheel play can't be right. I would have thought that there should be no play at all.

Does anyone know if this is a manufacturing tolerance or a wear tolerance, bikes only done 4,000 miles.

Steve

 

[Alcat]

Rear wheel play

Get this seen to right away. This problem has been discussed here many times.
My GS12 developed 5mm play at about 4,000 miles. A complete rear drive is the only cure. BMW also replace the wheel as a safety measure as well. Done under warranty, but still a hassle.
You are right, there should be no detectable play here, the 3mm you've been told about no doubt refers to rim runout.

 

[Dave Price]

I have play in the rear wheel of my 12GS, backing off the brake pads and measuring the play with a dial guage at the wheel rim it is 2.2mm. I have been informed the tolerance is 3mm at the rim.

Rear wheel play can't be right. I would have thought that there should be no play at all.

Does anyone know if this is a manufacturing tolerance or a wear tolerance, bikes only done 4,000 miles.

Steve

I was told that BMW allow upto 1mm at the rim, however, I think you'll find they will replace the unit with any play.

 

[guffter6969]

They won't always change a unit automatically, had one changed on mine at 1200 miles after the service rep accussed me of panicing and reading too many websites, the replacement was then changed after a further 800 miles as it wasn't painted properly, the third one developed play after another 1000 miles so I took it back and was told that 'It's within our tolerances so we won't do anything with it sir!', I have since heard from a fairly reputable source that the dealer is only supposed to do two a month but not sure how true this is.
Since had it quickly checked by another dealer and was told that yes it does have play on it but it's not too bad, watch it and if it gets any worse we'll change it and 'They all do that Sir' due to the design of the splines etc, pretty crap design if you ask me!

 

[Dave Price]

They won't always change a unit automatically, had one changed on mine at 1200 miles after the service rep accussed me of panicing and reading too many websites, the replacement was then changed after a further 800 miles as it wasn't painted properly, the third one developed play after another 1000 miles so I took it back and was told that 'It's within our tolerances so we won't do anything with it sir!', I have since heard from a fairly reputable source that the dealer is only supposed to do two a month but not sure how true this is.
Since had it quickly checked by another dealer and was told that yes it does have play on it but it's not too bad, watch it and if it gets any worse we'll change it and 'They all do that Sir' due to the design of the splines etc, pretty crap design if you ask me!

Unfortunately, the nature of the fault means the play can disapear and then return. Therefore it's difficult to get a definitive measurement.

 

[Wraithwrider]

ActivMoto

I've been told by Jefferies that it's only the earlier bikes that are effected and that they've not had a more recent model in for this problem.

How old is yours?

Peter

 

[bustupbiker]

My 1200 is about to get it's hub changed on the 29th 5000 miles bought new end of May bike has a biuld date of April 2005. Only 1mm play at the rim but the noise was noticed by a mate behind me. Williams Techi only spent two mins checking it out and said order a new final drive. He said it could be one of two things, 1) Bevel bearing 2) flang bearing, either one and the final drive has to e changed, by flang bearing i take it he means the flang that the wheel bolts to so that must be a wheel bearing. Eer! i think. Still very happy with the service thou.
Lyn.

 

[DockingPilot]

Are you fellas reffering to side to side play or front to back play ? if you were standing directly behind the bike. My rear wheel is solid if I grap it and try to move it left to right, but if I rotate the wheel front to back real quick there is a slight lash or play. My build date is 3/05, 1200 GS.

 

[Activmoto]

Peter,
The build date on my bike is August 05. I did have a whining noise from the rear end which I put down to tyre noise. I am not sure now if the noise was tyre or the final drive. It has now been agreed to change the final drive. I have yet to find out what amount of play in the final drive is correct, I find it difficult to accept that BMW, who should be the best at shaft drive, build a final drive that has a tolerance in mm not microns.

Dockingpilot the play I am talking about is side play in the wheel caused by the play in the final drive not the back lash. To check you may have to back off the brake pads from the disc, if you have any you will feel it and see the centre hub move. Don't forget to re-seat the pads by pumping the foot brake.

 

[Activmoto]

Here is the the contents of a service bulletin about the Final drive.

Subject: Bearing play at the rear wheel drive
Model: R 1200 GS
1: In the rear drive of the R 1200 GS the ring gear is supported by two types of bearings:
one floating bearing and one fixed bearing without preload. Inherent in this design
is a small amount of bearing play at the rear wheel. With all components manufactured
and assembled to stated tolerances it is possible that play in these bearings can be felt
and measured at the rear wheel. This type of bearing play has no effect on motorcycle
handling or on the durability of the bearings.

1: In the event of a customer complaint, an inspection and measurement of rear wheel
bearing play is to be performed as described below. With cold components the total
play (back and forth travel) allowable at the wheel rim edge is 1mm(maximum). Refer to
the R 1200 GS Repair Manual CD for measuring procedures as well as temperature definition
of “cold components”. Replace the entire rear-wheel drive assembly if the play
exceeds specifications.

2: If the complaint is “bearing play at the rear wheel” you must first check that the
splined flange is secure before performing the measurement noted in point #1. When
rocking the rear wheel back and forth, you must first make sure there is no movement
between the wheel flange, the rear wheel and the axle tube.
If play is noticeable between these components you must replace the entire rear wheel
drive assembly (complete with flange). Replacing the splined wheel flange only will not
solve the situation, because in all probability the splines on the axle tube will have suffered
some degree of wear as well.


Important Note: Screw 1 is a drain
plug for repair-related oil changes; it is
not for checking the oil level. When filling
the rear drive assembly with oil,
pour in the defined quantity (0.25 l for
initial fill, or 0.23 l for oil changes)
through the bore for the ABS sensor.
We highly recommend using BMW
Super Synthetic Gear oil. 75W 90, P/N
07 51 0 394 082

 

[Chris Terry]

How many other manufactures have 1mm of play in the back wheel? Sloppy wheels means an increase in tyre wear not to mention a wandering rear end. Sounds like poor quality control and or design, or just plain cost cutting !

 

[Wraithwrider]

Thanks for the info, very interesting stuff.

It seems that newer bikes are affected too then.

1 mm at the rim is very little at the bearing, and if the bearing isn't preloaded I'm not surprised at this.

Mines tight, I check it frequently.

Maybe an oil change will be in order soon as I come up to 10,000 miles.

Peter

 

[FIN_GSer]

I am running on third final drive
First (original early 2004) lasted for ~4000 km
Second (was to be improved) lasted ~1700 km
Current has been running ~9000km. No play when cold, some play when warm.

Crap German tech!

FIN_GSer

 

[drdata]

I am running on third final drive
First (original early 2004) lasted for ~4000 km
Second (was to be improved) lasted ~1700 km
Current has been running ~9000km. No play when cold, some play when warm.

Crap German tech!

FIN_GSer

Same here as to the no play when cold, just perceptable when hot.

Original FD bot at ~16K miles

 

[themadprofessor]

Here is an extract from the BMW manual for the 1200GS. This snapshot covers those bikes manufactured after August 2004.

 

[Starman]

My rear diff was changed at 3500 miles and now have done total of 7000 miles. Problem never reappeared (so far, touch wood). Dealer was great about it, no fussing about or excuses, just said, lets change it under warranty, he gets his money anyway. A bit of a pain though, taking bike in again, had recently a new gearbox oil seal, the brake kit upgrade to stop the squeaking brakes - but at least the dealer gave me a brand new K1200S for the days by bike was with them. Now thats service.

Martin
54 GS12

 

[Activmoto]

I got my 12 back, new final drive, rear brake disc and brake pads. The FD has no play when cold and when hot the dial guage shows 4 thou.

I now know the whining noise I had before was the old FD as the new one has no noise at all.

Very pleased to back on the road