Final Drive Bearing 2010 GSA

[MikeB-200]

Hi Guys,

I know this has been much a topic of conversation in the past. However:

My bike went into the BMW dealer for a service and a product recall for a rear wheel flange replacement. When I picked up the bike they stated on the health check that the 'final drive bearing' had 'excessive noise' fitted price 389.00.

This to me was a cause of concern, the bikes only done 18k, this cant be right.

Following some of the posts on how to check the final drive, I can detect no play in the rear wheel. If there is any noise then is difficult to tell from the rest of the final drive gears noise.

How serious do I take this... I'm off to Norway soon on the bike, and don't wont it to fail there.

Any thoughts?

 

[Bigrodders]

Amazing I've just got back from North Oxford having my Flange (ow er misses) done and they told me the same, so because I have BMW warranty I told them to do the repair.
I did say when I picked it up that I was surprised it was worn at 24,000 they said "you do a lot of two up riding" oh says me trusting what I was being told, now I'm not so sure.

 

[Greenman14]

That seems expensive when they have to do most of the work just to change the flange. I would want more information: what did the oil look like? Were there any metal particles in it? If the oil is clean and free of metal and there's no play I would leave it. On the other hand if the oil's dirty and full of metal I would change the bearing regardless of the lack of play.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Conspiracy theory coming up!

Is there something wrong or is it the dealer covering their arse in case the bearing let's go with all the pulling and pushing to change the flange?

There are a few reports of this happening by the way so it isn't a complete conspiracy.

 

[wideparting]

Hi Guys,

I know this has been much a topic of conversation in the past. However:

My bike went into the BMW dealer for a service and a product recall for a rear wheel flange replacement. When I picked up the bike they stated on the health check that the 'final drive bearing' had 'excessive noise' fitted price 389.00.

This to me was a cause of concern, the bikes only done 18k, this cant be right.

Following some of the posts on how to check the final drive, I can detect no play in the rear wheel. If there is any noise then is difficult to tell from the rest of the final drive gears noise.

How serious do I take this... I'm off to Norway soon on the bike, and don't wont it to fail there.

Any thoughts?

take out the bmw warranty for your month abroad[aprox 33 quid] and cancel it when you get home.

 

[Bumhead]

Conspiracy theory coming up!

Is there something wrong or is it the dealer covering their arse in case the bearing let's go with all the pulling and pushing to change the flange?

There are a few reports of this happening by the way so it isn't a complete conspiracy.

I must admit this was also my first thought.

 

[MikeB-200]

I suspect its that price, 389.. coz its now a separate piece of work for them...

They priced up a new bearing at 179 quid (ouch i hear) for a bearing ? really?
Could they have damaged bearings doing the flange repair? who know.. youd think their trained..

 

[ghiribizzo]

That seems expensive when they have to do most of the work just to change the flange. I would want more information: what did the oil look like? Were there any metal particles in it? If the oil is clean and free of metal and there's no play I would leave it. On the other hand if the oil's dirty and full of metal I would change the bearing regardless of the lack of play.

They don't do most of the work just to change the flange. Wheel off, caliper away, change flange, swapping disc over and rebuild.
Plus - the bearing ain't in the oil in some. Some, they are.

 

[Steve B]

Being an 1150 owner I'll enjoy telling my 2011 1200 owner mate about this. He only had his recall work done on Tuesday at the local shiny showroom and they said exactly the same thing. Your FD bearing needs replacing. That'll be £370 please. Only 19k on the clock.
Gave him a local BM spanner monkey to sort out.

I did explain to him that they have to pay for the shiny showroom and all those staff and all the shiny workshops etc.

Still, if people can afford 14-15k on a new bike, why should they complain about being well and truly shafted by dealers on servicing/(faux)repairs.

 

[ghiribizzo]

...They priced up a new bearing at 179 quid (ouch i hear) for a bearing ? really?..

Whut?

 

[DervMan]

Due to play in the rear wheel I had the bearing in my final drive replaced recently '07 bike with 12,000 miles. I didn't go anywhere near a BMW dealer, took the FD to a local specialist who replaced the bearing and seals. I kept the main bearing and the problem was caused by corrosion in the bearing despite there being oil seals and plenty of grease.

Maybe the problem is partly due to lack of use?

 

[Greenman14]

They don't do most of the work just to change the flange. Wheel off, caliper away, change flange, swapping disc over and rebuild.
Plus - the bearing ain't in the oil in some. Some, they are.

I stand corrected. I had my bike serviced recently and the FD oil didn't look good; I was told the flange recall work involved most of the work needed to change the bearing. Which models have the bearing in the FD oil and which don't? Mine's a 2012 twin cam.

 

[adventuredon]

My 2010 was recently in for a warranty issue (recovered due to clutch failure). They then said UJ joints needed replacing, swing arm bearings too. Cool, as it is all under ext warranty...Anyhow, when told to pick up the bike, I noticed the half full sight gallss had oil that was cappucino like. They said it was moisture and would burn off in a good ride. True, it did. But when I asked for the worksheet detailing the work undertaken, it mentioned clutch slave cylinder, clutch master cylinder, and clutch.....now that is a bike breaker is it not? So where does the old, frothy half full oil level fit in....surely it would have been clear, fresh and full...

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

that is a bike breaker is it not? So where does the old, frothy half full oil level fit in....surely it would have been clear, fresh and full...

You don't have to dump the oil to split the bike. Not saying it is right but they will do the minimum possible. Oil would be on the worksheet if it was replaced.

 

[ghiribizzo]

The work you mentioned adventuredon doesn't involve taking out engine oil.

 

[topcat2006]

Had the same with mine and they did the bearing whilst they did the flange so I paid a lot less than £389 for the work.....

I asked for the old bearings back so I could see why they had failed.

The big bearing does not run in the FD oil and the grease was dry and rusty coloured. I would suggest the previous owner had been a bit over enthusiastic with the pressure washer. The bearing was definitely on the way out.....

HTH.

Tom

 

[bisbee]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/veilFcDC2zc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This video shows what is involved in replacing the flange Sorry it's not in English but it does show the basics if a little ham fisted

 

[Stujw70]

Yep funny old thing SBW said same with mine. Was quoted £600+. Erm no ta said it was due a steptoe service anyway, so after that I have left it with Mikeyboy for a full rebuild rather the single bearing at BMW.

 

[SteveM]

Still, if people can afford 14-15k on a new bike, why should they complain about being well and truly shafted by dealers on servicing/(faux)repairs.

Maybe for the following reason:- Perhaps they have saved hard and made sacrifices for a long time to buy a bike they really want, fully expecting to be buying into a premium brand with a reputation for quality, durability and customer service. Just because you've forked out 14-15K on a bike doesn't mean you want or are able to keep on putting your hand deep into your pocket every time your bike does a couple thousand miles or you go near a dealership.

 

[adventuredon]

You don't have to dump the oil to split the bike. Not saying it is right but they will do the minimum possible. Oil would be on the worksheet if it was replaced.

Ok, fair enough, thought you did. I wasn't charged for oil, just brake fluid. Thanks