Final Drive Failure Register

[itchywheels]

Can I add to that, what milage would you consider "Fit for purpose" My first one lasted 16087 Miles, the oil was changed at 23808. The second one lasted 28036 miles. My average for a final drive is 22061.

After Pidcocks said the drive is not covered under warranty I removed it and had a look inside. You need too many specialist tools to go any further so I took into Pidcocks who said they could fix it in a week. It cost them £900.00 for the specialist tools and they have ALL the parts in stock I'll let you know what happens and how much

 

[chad]

i would say its not unreasonable to expect 100k out of an FD with the technology available today . but that's definitely not the case with the units on the 12s christ even chain last longer a decent quality chain will last 25k if cared for

 

[Rasher]

If they cannot make them reliable a huge discount would not go amiss, at £500 a go it would be far less of a problem.

I can't see these cost BMW more than a few hundred quid to make, yet they charge £1500 for them so with every failure they make a nice £1200 profit - hardly an incentive to do much about the problem, there is probably more profit to be made from these failures than the initial sale of the bike!

 

[red1]

Has anyone heard of the FD going on the R1200RT or R1200R.
It's the same part. I know there's not as many sold but you would think they would have a similar failure ratio?

 

[harley-metisse]

And as an additional thought, what about the K series models, in particular the K1200 and the K1300, very powerful bikes, more forces being placed etc. Ok, they don't go off road, but not many of the 1200GS's really have either, but the main question is - do they 'fail' as well ?

For all our sakes, they need to be designed properly. Would anyone expect a rear differential in a 3/5/6/7 series BMW car to fail at such low mileages ? No of course not !!

 

[929bladerunner]

Does this Final Drive problem include 2009 models? Is it time to try and sell already? Like the bike but can't afford a £1,500 repair bill after just 15-20K !!??

 

[itchywheels]

Yes you should sell it and tell every body you know never to buy another BMW ever.

The R1200GS in my opinion is a pile of It is not fit for purpose. It is one of the bigest mistakes I have ever made. I'm not rich, I spent £10,000 of my inheritence money on that bike. I wanted a NEW bike that I could trust, how wrong can you be !!! My old Kawasaki ZZR1100 did 50,000 + miles but I did have to change the chain and sprockets a couple of times

I have also got an old yamaha xt600. I did 28000 miles on that in 4 months but I did have to change the chain and sprockets

I'm going on another trip for 4 months, am I taking the GS ? NO. I'm taking the old XT again. It is now showing on the clock 70,000 miles.

 

[tw99]

Mine went at 9000.

 

[andyclift]

VERY LUCKY

2009 GSA and final drive failed THREE WEEKS before the end of the warranty. Now replaced with a shiny new one during 18000 service.

 

[644andy]

31k for my 1150 GSA

Done it myself, less than £100 all in.

 

[Juice]

Failed at 14k

The final drive out board seal started leaking so went in for replacement under the extended warranty. Whilst in the workshop the nut strangler found that the FD bearing had to much free play so was also replaced.

 

[GB.]

My bike is one of the first, an 04 I bought it with what I would call low mileage for a BMW 15300m just 9weeks ago. It had full dealer history right up to that mileage. Last week I changed the oil in the FD and found nothing untoward, now previously after ready all the doom and gloom on here I bought a second hand FD with a leaking seal for £90 than stripped it and replaced the seals and bearings for £144, sits on the shelf ready

 

[BlueBird]

My bike is one of the first, an 04 I bought it with what I would call low mileage for a BMW 15300m just 9weeks ago. It had full dealer history right up to that mileage. Last week I changed the oil in the FD and found nothing untoward, now previously after ready all the doom and gloom on here I bought a second hand FD with a leaking seal for £90 than stripped it and replaced the seals and bearings for £144, sits on the shelf ready

which seals and bearings did you replace exactly?

I have just bought all the bearing and seals for my 05 and it came to £230 from bmw.

 

[GB.]

Just the main large bearing and seal, large circlip, thin large inner seal. Didnt touch the pinion gear as that was fine.

 

[steve1300]

can some one tell me, what are the signs of the FD unit going, play in the wheel or noise or both. my gs adv had 38000. put a big outer seal in some time ago.
can you rebuild them your self and how much

 

[bsogri]

where can i get rear drive bearing for Gss 1200

anybody know the size of the big reart drive bearing and the best place to get them

 

[Lord Tak]

Signs of failing FD

My 2006 GSA final drive gave up in France two weeks agao at 33,000miles - signs:- speedo went loopy and ABS brake failure light stayed on. Both sensors are in rear wheel. 400miles later at Eurotunnel, riding without helmet onto train, it sounded like brake disc was badly worn. Fitted by BMW dealer in Bromley for £1100 plus £40 labour! Trying to pursue BMW for contribution as it was clearly not fit for purpose to fail at this low mileage. Will update if successful......

 

[bsogri]

Is it any wonder they fail

I just stripped my rear drive down and i have found the fundemantal flaw with the design
All previous Bmw shaft drives have bearings lubricated with the oil in the drive housing Bmw must have thought well if it ain't broke we will f///ck it up
The small bearing is indeed lubricated by oil but the large bearing is sealed for life as in wheel bearings.
This in turn wears out and needs replacing.

I have stripped old rear drives before using normal tools but the same man who specified the bearing must have designed the drive to be impossible to take apart without special tools or damaging it.
and a new one costs only £900.

ie heating disc carrier and drawing off with special puller [I made this myself]
Crown wheel needs pressing out of housing and needs more specialist tools
ie 90mm pipe x 178mm long
bearing is rusty and dry and this explains the failure,
remove circlip
heat housing and press bearing out

fit everything in reverse
new seal

heat housing
drop bearing in make sure seated,fit circlip
press in the crown wheel and cover
fit shims and refit to bike put oil in bobs your ///

 

[PENTLAND]

MINE WENT LAST WEEK IN SLOVAKIA 07 GSA 14500 MILES

 

[CHM]

Another one for the list, 2009 gsa 12800 miles. Extended warranty to the rescue.