63 plate GS1200 TE Final Drive/Rear Seal/Corrosion problem

[Lexman]

Hi,

just putting a mechanical corrosion issue out there for comment. My GS as per title of post has a final drive corrosion problem. I noticed oil leaking from the black plastic ring on the rear wheel final drive where it joins the hub. When I took it back to Cotswold BMW (who have so far been excellent by the way, fixing an exhaust manifold problem that is apparently quite common for free even though out of warranty, would have been circa £1200 to sort out) they said that when they removed the seal the metal sleeve that the seal sits in has corroded away and if they put a new seal in it would probably leak past the corrosion.

It's early days and Cotswold are going to ask BMW for a goodwill fix so I will cross my fingers and let you know, but they did warn me that BMW have been turning down 'corrosion' related issues as part and parcel of bike wear and tear.

I'm interested to see what opinions are like on something of this nature? Is it common? Should I view it as just part and parcel of owning a bike like this? It's only done c.14K miles and is not that old. Plus I'm thinking that it's a GS and surely should be more corrosion resistant. I wash it regularly and have treated it with APF 50 or whatever it's called! Yes I have dropped it twice whilst practicing my low speed riding skills but I think a bike like this should be able to handle that and it has crash bars that have taken all the strain of those spills anyway.

It's going to cost £1400 to fix so as I say I'm curious to see what people on here think my approach should be. Accept with good grace or be disgruntled and pursue BMW customer service a bit harder???

Thanks in advance for any constructive help on this

Alex

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Three questions:

Have you owned it from new?

Where/who did you buy it from?

Does it have a Full BMW Service History?

 

[Lexman]

Hi,

I bought it as approved official BMW used bike from Cotswold Motorrad with 9,598 miles on it. It has full BMW service history.

Many thanks,
Alex

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

When did you buy it and was it corroded when you did?

 

[Lexman]

Hi,

I bought it in Dec '15 and of course there's no way of knowing whether there was any corrosion at that time, unless I had stripped the final drive down when I bought it to have a look!

thanks,
Alex

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

BMW have been turning down 'corrosion' related issues as part and parcel of bike wear and tear.

Plus I'm thinking that it's a GS and surely should be more corrosion resistant.

Yes I have dropped it twice whilst practicing my low speed riding skills but I think a bike like this should be able to handle that and it has crash bars that have taken all the strain of those spills anyway.

There are issues, it's not resistant to anything, it's a machine..............they rot and fail, same as a dump truck

Maybe you caught the drivetrain when you smashed into the ground

Practice low speed riding on a cheaper bike, preferably one you don't own

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Hi,

I bought it in Dec '15 and of course there's no way of knowing whether there was any corrosion at that time, unless I had stripped the final drive down when I bought it to have a look!

thanks,
Alex

Does the bike have corrosion anywhere else?

 

[matchlessman]

It sounds as though the corroded metal sleeve is buried inside so won't have touched the ground. More likely culprit could be enthusiastic pressure washing getting water/grit/salt etc under the seal. Still shouldn't happen though.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

 

[Snow White]

If BMW won't play, plan B could be speaking to Mikeboy from this site. He's very good at rebuilding final drives and is a fraction of the cost of BMW!

 

[Lexman]

It sounds as though the corroded metal sleeve is buried inside so won't have touched the ground. More likely culprit could be enthusiastic pressure washing getting water/grit/salt etc under the seal. Still shouldn't happen though.

Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk

Yes that's true, it's 'internal' corrosion from as you say moisture getting past seal. I have occasionally pressure washed it though have been careful to avoid sensitive areas... It shouldn't happen is my overall feeling and it does put me off owning a BMW shaft drive in the future if I don't feel confident that the build quality is there. I've looked on the internet and there seems to be an awful lot of very rusty and corroded drive trains out there... Maybe if I stick with BMW in the future I will have to return to chain drive.

 

[Lexman]

If BMW won't play, plan B could be speaking to Mikeboy from this site. He's very good at rebuilding final drives and is a fraction of the cost of BMW!

Thanks for that, that's good to know

 

[Lexman]

Does the bike have corrosion anywhere else?

No it doesn't, no paint corrosion on the 'silver' paint as reported elsewhere or anywhere else

 

[Bryn]

plan B could be speaking to Mikeboy from this site. He's very good at rebuilding final drives and is a fraction of the cost of BMW!

+1

I know the circumstances are different, but Mike (Mikeyboy on here) Rebuilt my Twin Cam final drive..... I now expect it to out last the rest of the bike ...and at a fraction of dealer prices


Overland and Classic M/C

Address: Manor Cottage, 2 Main St, Holwell, Melton Mowbray LE14 4SZ


Phone: 07786 340692

 

[Lexman]

+1

I know the circumstances are different, but Mike (Mikeyboy on here) Rebuilt my Twin Cam final drive..... I now expect it to out last the rest of the bike ...and at a fraction of dealer prices


Overland and Classic M/C

Address: Manor Cottage, 2 Main St, Holwell, Melton Mowbray LE14 4SZ


Phone: 07786 340692

Hi,

thanks I will make a note and contact him if I did go down that route. I guess the main cost is the new metal BMW casing that the seal sits in etc...

 

[mikeyboy]

+1

I know the circumstances are different, but Mike (Mikeyboy on here) Rebuilt my Twin Cam final drive..... I now expect it to out last the rest of the bike ...and at a fraction of dealer prices


Overland and Classic M/C

Address: Manor Cottage, 2 Main St, Holwell, Melton Mowbray LE14 4SZ


Phone: 07786 340692

Overland and classic
Hall farm
1 main st
Holwell
Melton Mowbray
Le14 4sz

 

[patzx12]

A picture would help, but if it is just the outside diameter of the outer seal.
Clean up the area and install a new seal with gasket compound.

 

[Lexman]

A picture would help, but if it is just the outside diameter of the outer seal.
Clean up the area and install a new seal with gasket compound.

Hi, no I think it is more serious than that, the inner area of the metal unit in which the seal sits is badly corroded...

 

[patzx12]

could you put up a couple of pictures

 

[steveC]

I know this is of no comfort to owner of bike but by chance I came upon this gem on how to look after your bike.

"The surfaces of a BMW have a very high-quality finish. Whether painted or finished with fully dyed materials or metals – we only use the highest quality products. Nevertheless, road salt, moisture and temperatures can take their toll on any material. If you should "lay up" your motorcycle, then store it in a warm and dry place – at the very least dry. Whereas it should be ensured that the covers have sufficient air circulation. Otherwise there is a danger of precipitative moisture – resulting in corrosion. If you want to be completely on the safe side, use a light oil such as bicycle gloss (the clear-red spray oil) – spray this lightly onto your bike. Particularly the metal surfaces are then better protected from corrosion. Before the start of the season, we recommend a wash with a little washing-up liquid in lukewarm water and a soft sponge. And of course, your BMW Motorrad partner has more tips as well"

A couple of comments made me laugh, but I found the recommended inclusion of "use washing up liquid" a bit of a surprise.

I hope your bike is sorted and back on the road. Its not the time of year to be having this type of problem.

 

[Lexman]

Very happy as BMW have said they'll fix this FOC

Hi,

just a quick update on this, in case anyone was interested

I got a call from Cotswold BMW this morning saying that BMW have said they will pay for a whole new final drive unit. So I really can't fault BMW on this and am absolutely delighted this fix will be carried out even though not under warranty. This is definitely the kind of customer care they do seem to be known for so I'm very happy/relieved. I will be extra careful with final drive from now on, and will be washing it very carefully and being extra careful not to drop it so as to possibly loosen the seal allowing water ingress that might lead to corrosion.

Onwards and upwards, thanks for all the contributions.

Alex