2012 ESA front shock has leaked oil

[Mistacat]

I think 66K is due for shock service.
My GS has done 112k miles and I send the Wilbers ESA shocks in to Lucasz for service every 35K miles.

 

[fraserwaters]

Well that was easier than I thought. Took about 1.5 hours.
Shock is off the bike and ready to be sent off to T-Tech

For anyone else contemplating the job, it’s remarkably straightforward although there’s a couple of things that I found out:

a 15mm impact socket makes the removal of the top nut easy.

You need to remove the belt cover from the front of the engine to allow the shock to drop out.

The anti twist thingy is awkward but lift it up and twist and it will pop out, or remove the 2 wee screws that mount it to the shock.

Fingers crossed it’s as easy to put back together!

 

[Davey B]

This thread is making me panic about my 66000 mile 08 GS. Don't think. The shocks have ever been touched.

I wouldn't panic...all that will have happened is that the shocks will have deteriorated over time...you'll not have noticed but if you 'rode in' with old shocks on and 'rode out' with new shocks or recon shocks on...you'd be staggered at the difference. Very well worth doing. Best bang for the buck you can get

 

[Joepi5]

Well that was easier than I thought. Took about 1.5 hours.
Shock is off the bike and ready to be sent off to T-Tech

For anyone else contemplating the job, it’s remarkably straightforward although there’s a couple of things that I found out:

a 15mm impact socket makes the removal of the top nut easy.

You need to remove the belt cover from the front of the engine to allow the shock to drop out.

The anti twist thingy is awkward but lift it up and twist and it will pop out, or remove the 2 wee screws that mount it to the shock.

Fingers crossed it’s as easy to put back together!

Normal GS or GSA? On my standard GS there was more than enough clearance to get the Showa esa unit off with removing the belt cover.

 

[fraserwaters]

Normal GS or GSA? On my standard GS there was more than enough clearance to get the Showa esa unit off with removing the belt cover.

GS 2012.

 

[fraserwaters]

One thought I had :

Ditch the ESA and buy upgraded manual shocks with external preload adj and fit them...

My question is can I do this and somehow remove the ESA from the brain on the bike so there's no warnings on the dash?

 

[Joepi5]

One thought I had :

Ditch the ESA and buy upgraded manual shocks with external preload adj and fit them...

My question is can I do this and somehow remove the ESA from the brain on the bike so there's no warnings on the dash?

Something like this?

Disable plug kit Front K25/R1200GS EPA Supsension - ESA Repair

Air cooled BMW R1200GS(A) are fitted with a front Electronic Preload Adjuster. Unfortunately these EPA’s break down quite often. They also prevent manufacturers to install 46mm front shock absorbers into the BMW R1200GS(A). The use of a 46mm shock absorber in the front brings much higher...

esarepair.com

 

[Slipperyeel]

This thread is making me panic about my 66000 mile 08 GS. Don't think. The shocks have ever been touched.

I think along with the headlamp (convert to LED) rebuilding the shocks is up there with the best service upgrades you can do

Most of these bikes are 'old' by now and the shocks are often forgotten/neglected.

A bit like Mistacat, mine go to T-Tech about every 30k miles (so that's twice they've been)

 

[Davey B]

One thought I had :

Ditch the ESA and buy upgraded manual shocks with external preload adj and fit them...

My question is can I do this and somehow remove the ESA from the brain on the bike so there's no warnings on the dash?

You'll be able to...as someone above has shown the cable plug thingy...but, It is likely to cost way more than a T-Tec service on the original shock by buying new shocks....(or buy 2nd hand and not know their provenance...so maybe spend £500 on a pair of shocks and still have to send them for a service....)
You'll be very pleasantly surprised at the transformation your refurb'd original shocks make to the ride.

 

[dashfixer]

MCT did my ESA shocks. The rear shock pissed oil at 36k miles so I sent both front and rear shocks to MCT. The service they gave was fantastic and I've never had an issue since. It cost about £230 for both including postage, but it was a few years ago. I have no connection with the company.

 

[fraserwaters]

Front on it's way to T-Tech for Lucas to work his magic...