Clutch replaced but...(advice please)

[*spikey*]

Well I'm no mechanic, but having experienced the clutch slipping on the odd occasion over the last year, the dealers were finally able to make it happen and replaced the cluth under warranty. A pain in the ass that it took so long but hey, a result.

However, in doing the work they sheared one of the lugs off the rhs of the gearbox cover and didn't bother telling me when I picked the bike up. Got home, had a look and noticed the damage so I rang (they'd closed) then emailed a couple of pics in. Have had to chase them for a response and finally they came back and said they'll either smooth it off and respray to look like there was never a lug there, or replace the gearbox housing. I decided to ask for the gearbox housing to be replaced simply as I believe they did the damage and the bike should be returned as it went in. And I was a bit pissed off at no-one telling me and the fact I've had to chase them about it since.

So, having asked for this I'm then taken outside for an inspection by the manager who tells me that its basically my fault due to the condition of my exhaust.

'Umm, sorry?'

'Well thats winter dirt and salt still on your exhaust so the general upkeep of the bike isn't good. The mechanic loosened the bolts and the back casing should just separate - yours didn't, the internal lugs had rusted and it had seized together. The force he had to use to separate the casing broke the lug.'

'So he broke it, so you should replace it. If it's internal components which rusted and seized how would me cleaning the outside of the bike have stopped that?'

'Well the seal between the the gearbox housing and the front section isn't water or air tight...'

'So am I meant to strip these components and dry them of every time the bike gets wet?'

'No, of course not, but you haven't looked after it well.'

'So if I washed the bike regularly how would that have made any difference to whether or not the internal components were seizing?'



Is the gearbox housing seal really not air or water tight?

Anyway, he took some more photos, mostly of the exhaust it seemed on the right and left sides of the bike and they're to get back to me tomorrow - which will probably mean me having to chase them again. I initially said i'd split the cost but I'm thinking why should I? I didn't break it....

Thoughts anybody?

And some pics of broken bit and mingingness..

 

[bose]

damage

Horseshit that,no way could you be to blame for that!!!!!! i have an o8 1200 gs an have corrosion in the exact same plaice and claen it well .
bmw should use decent paint to stop any corrosion ,as water baised paint is obviousley shite,and dosnt seem to block any type of corrosion even water.
You shouldnt be expected to pay anything,and they are trying to move the blame down to their own guilt,thats bad totally dishonest,i would be putting pen to paper if you dont get a proper referb on the box

 

[majorbumsore]

only one thought.
they put it right or you contact traiding standards.
cheeky fu#ks.
i once pointed out a little scuff to the head after a service at Jefries and they repaired/replaced it without question.

 

[John Armstrong]

If they break something they shouldn't leave you to find it, even if there's an element of it being your fault

 

[gipsymagpie]

Which dealer...name and shame, seems they don't owe you anything! Plus internally lubricated components covered by warranty...so you are definitely covered. I am sure that's even written down. Try calling BMW head office?

 

[*spikey*]

Thanks all. I've had a look at the trading standards website and will give them a call in the morning... Think I'll give BMW head office a bell too and see what their opinion is, after all, it's the dealer and their service I have the issue with, not BMW.

 

[streaky]

Well I'm no mechanic, but having experienced the clutch slipping on the odd occasion over the last year, the dealers were finally able to make it happen and replaced the cluth under warranty. A pain in the ass that it took so long but hey, a result.

However, in doing the work they sheared one of the lugs off the rhs of the gearbox cover and didn't bother telling me when I picked the bike up. Got home, had a look and noticed the damage so I rang (they'd closed) then emailed a couple of pics in. Have had to chase them for a response and finally they came back and said they'll either smooth it off and respray to look like there was never a lug there, or replace the gearbox housing. I decided to ask for the gearbox housing to be replaced simply as I believe they did the damage and the bike should be returned as it went in. And I was a bit pissed off at no-one telling me and the fact I've had to chase them about it since.

So, having asked for this I'm then taken outside for an inspection by the manager who tells me that its basically my fault due to the condition of my exhaust.

'Umm, sorry?'

'Well thats winter dirt and salt still on your exhaust so the general upkeep of the bike isn't good. The mechanic loosened the bolts and the back casing should just separate - yours didn't, the internal lugs had rusted and it had seized together. The force he had to use to separate the casing broke the lug.'

'So he broke it, so you should replace it. If it's internal components which rusted and seized how would me cleaning the outside of the bike have stopped that?'

'Well the seal between the the gearbox housing and the front section isn't water or air tight...'

'So am I meant to strip these components and dry them of every time the bike gets wet?'

'No, of course not, but you haven't looked after it well.'

'So if I washed the bike regularly how would that have made any difference to whether or not the internal components were seizing?'



Is the gearbox housing seal really not air or water tight?

Anyway, he took some more photos, mostly of the exhaust it seemed on the right and left sides of the bike and they're to get back to me tomorrow - which will probably mean me having to chase them again. I initially said i'd split the cost but I'm thinking why should I? I didn't break it....

Thoughts anybody?

And some pics of broken bit and mingingness..

Seems to be an on going thing

 

[MattW]

Thanks all. I've had a look at the trading standards website and will give them a call in the morning... Think I'll give BMW head office a bell too and see what their opinion is, after all, it's the dealer and their service I have the issue with, not BMW.

I'd imagine that as it's not really a warranty issue, BMW will say that it's between you and the dealer but stick to your guns - cleaning or otherwise has no bearing on a ham fisted mechanic breaking your bike.

As you intend, I'd have a chat with trading standards and depending on their view, write to the dealer informing them that you intend to pursue a claim through the courts.

 

[Steptoe]

The section/part of the exhaust shown in your pictures doesn't have to be removed when changing the clutch or removing the gearbox, it stays in place.

The lug that has broken off is just used to fix a clip on, which always falls off anyway. If it were mine i wouldn't worry about it, just get something knocked off the bill next time

Your more likely to have future problems swopping the internals from one case to another than with the missing lug.

 

[DrFarkoff]

What he says above it's just a bit of alloy sticking out

Get some discount on the next service or "Something" off clothing and call it quits

If it is working fine don't let someone pull the box apart just for that

 

[VAL. H.]

The section/part of the exhaust shown in your pictures doesn't have to be removed when changing the clutch or removing the gearbox, it stays in place.

The lug that has broken off is just used to fix a clip on, which always falls off anyway. If it were mine i wouldn't worry about it, just get something knocked off the bill next time

Your more likely to have future problems swopping the internals from one case to another than with the missing lug.

What he says above it's just a bit of alloy sticking out

Get some discount on the next service or "Something" off clothing and call it quits

If it is working fine don't let someone pull the box apart just for that

I would agree with these guys. It's only a lug that doesn't have any serious function. Once they have filed it down and repainted it, any prospective buyer wouldn't notice it anyway.

Isn't it better to leave a good gearbox as is rather than disturb it, which could possibly be detrimental to it's long term function??



Val.

 

[*spikey*]

Matt, Steptoe, Jaythro thanks for the thoughts, appreciate it. Looks like it's a split decision and to be honest the clutch and gearchange is an unbelievable improvement - no massive clunk engaging and no uptake clunk from underneath as the clutch is released. Engine braking seems to be reduced which is no bad thing either as it really hauled the bike down. Balance or sync feels off between the cylinders a bit tho, definitely much more vibey and shaking bars at a standstill than none when it went in...

Have had the dealers back on offering a no quibble replacement this morning but I'm considering your point Steptoe on the fit of things and the fact that this is, effectively, about cosmetics. I'm still a bit pissed at not being told about it and the fact I've been chasing this so we're going to have a sit down eye to eye and make a decision as to what happens.

Result.

Thanks again for the input all, appreciate it.

 

[*spikey*]

I would agree with these guys. It's only a lug that doesn't have any serious function. Once they have filed it down and repainted it, any prospective buyer wouldn't notice it anyway.

Isn't it better to leave a good gearbox as is rather than disturb it, which could possibly be detrimental to it's long term function??



Val.

Thanks Val, point noted, having a chat about it with them later or tomorrow depending on when I can get out of work...

 

[BlueBird]

balls in yr court

I wouldnt be worried about the lug, if you use a machine and you definately seem to use yrs they get battle scars.

can't be doing with all this keeping it mint all the time,washing it every 5mins and hosing it down after every shower.

I would be pissed of if the dealer had tryed it on like yours has, I would sit them down and gentley let them of the hook,next time around they are going to be looking after you like a king.

 

[Chris Terry]

Which dealer ?
Are they a BMW dealer??
Accidents & mistakes happen, it's how they are resolved that's important. No need for a witch hunt, just a sensible discussion and mutual agreement. We all need to know so we can learn from this.

 

[PeterNI]

Which dealer ?
Are they a BMW dealer??
Accidents & mistakes happen, it's how they are resolved that's important. No need for a witch hunt, just a sensible discussion and mutual agreement. We all need to know so we can learn from this.

If you were in the market for a secondhand GS, would you buy one with a bit missing or a clean one with nothing missing. Get them to fix it they broke it.

 

[Chris Terry]

If you were in the market for a secondhand GS, would you buy one with a bit missing or a clean one with nothing missing. Get them to fix it they broke it.

I don't think I would want the same outfit and probably the same demotivated man doing more damage. I would negotiate a cash settlement.

 

[*spikey*]

Chris, Triggerfish thanks for the input. Had a chat with the manager this morning and it's funny how 24 hours changes things. Given Steptoe's and Jaythro's opinions (both long standing and very knowledgeable mechanics), I was heading in happy to go for the facelift and some other deal - the manager however, and giving him his dues, has insisted on replacing the damaged casing, and apologised for how things came to be. Given the fact it's happened at all, I'd like to think and more importantly, I expect the utmost care to be taken over things this time. After all, there's no seized components to deal with and the bike's still under warranty...

Credit where it's due, I'm happy with the resolution. Will keep you all posted after the work's done!

Thanks again for the input!

 

[MIKE R]

Within a year of buying my 1150 in 2002 I had an issue with paint 'crazing' on the gearbox housing.

My dealer (Rainbow) replaced the housing under warranty. Like you I was concerned how the gearbox would be after being re-housed.

In over 40k miles since then I have not had any issues with the gearbox and the paint is still OK.



Mike

 

[streaky]

Chris, Triggerfish thanks for the input. Had a chat with the manager this morning and it's funny how 24 hours changes things. Given Steptoe's and Jaythro's opinions (both long standing and very knowledgeable mechanics), I was heading in happy to go for the facelift and some other deal - the manager however, and giving him his dues, has insisted on replacing the damaged casing, and apologised for how things came to be. Given the fact it's happened at all, I'd like to think and more importantly, I expect the utmost care to be taken over things this time. After all, there's no seized components to deal with and the bike's still under warranty...

Credit where it's due, I'm happy with the resolution. Will keep you all posted after the work's done!

Thanks again for the input![/QUOTE They have been watching this post and seen how many people are interested and hey its got you a result ,as you say a bit of a u turn on there behalf hope all goes well for you