Final Drive Failure Register

[Number 6]

A brand new 1200RT set off on a trip 2 weeks ago with 600 miles on the clock. 1000 miles later the final drive was so badly worn it was dangerous and the bike was left in Corsica to be recovered by BMW.

 

[PatM]

That makes me feel better- I thought I was being ganged up on by the earlier replies to mine!
1600 miles is not good. Sounds like no one put oil in the FD!

 

[seahorse]

08 plate GS , both crown wheel bearings just replaced at 18k.

 

[PatM]

Old GSA traded at 87k for new GSA .. I will be logging failures more closely as I thought it was only me!!

 

[clampet]

FD oil seal failure

March 2011 R 1200 GS:FD oil seal failed at just over 5000m covering offside of rear tyre and rim with oil.Had just negotiated roundabout before it went.(Lucky not to be off) Repairs done under warranty but was told that a loose after market hugger had caused an ingress of water to the FD which facillitated the failure?

 

[Rushy]

2009 1200 Sport 10300 miles , final drive bearings went, caught it early so no oil/scary lock up issues. Bike is just out of manufacturers warranty so I have to foot the as yet unknown bill.

 

[Stretchamus]

March 2011 R 1200 GS:FD oil seal failed at just over 5000m covering offside of rear tyre and rim with oil.Had just negotiated roundabout before it went.(Lucky not to be off) Repairs done under warranty but was told that a loose after market hugger had caused an ingress of water to the FD which facillitated the failure?

Well that's it then init. Some are using their pressure washers more than others

Best regards Stretch

 

[jonnyingram]

Halfway through Sept. holiday took 2009 RT 23000miles in for service.I was told FD bearings were on the way out.Bike was 30mths old and BMW Dalkieth replaced them on a goodwill warranty.So i put the bike in partex and finished hols on a new GS.

 

[Dr.KC]

2009 1200 Sport 10300 miles , final drive bearings went, caught it early so no oil/scary lock up issues. Bike is just out of manufacturers warranty so I have to foot the as yet unknown bill.

Same issue my friend. My 05/2009 R1200GS with 26.000Km started the wow wow story.

I was too out of warranty. 3 weeks ago went to the dealer...initially they said that is OK...but after knocking the door couple of times....they finally admitted that there was some kind of problem so they made a "Goodwill...yes we acknowledge that FD is a piece of " request to mama BMW......

Good news.....yesterday I had a phone call from the dealer...they informed me that within one month period I have to leave my bike to them and they will change the entire FD with new....free of any charge except 28 euros which is the cost of refilling the FD with oil........I LOVE BMW & Mrs Merkel...many greetings from GREECE.

I HOPE the new FD will last at least 25.000Km (since then I shall by a HONDA) and that they shall provide me with some kind of warranty for the new FD!!!!

 

[dakarDude]

Halfway through Sept. holiday took 2009 RT 23000miles in for service.I was told FD bearings were on the way out.Bike was 30mths old and BMW Dalkieth replaced them on a goodwill warranty.So i put the bike in partex and finished hols on a new GS.

Same for me, final drive bearings went at 18,700 miles. 2009 BMW R1200 GSA. Spotted during its service, luckily had a few days left of warranty so they sorted it for me at Southport.

 

[pistonbrokescooby]

fd

hi all
took my r1200 r in this week and was told , free play in the fd , thats it then . kiss a death on it eh .8200 mile , traded the gs for a mm . how long is the fd going to last on that as well . cheaper to have a chain ,so much for a long life shaft drive .. .
piston.

 

[NorthernBoy]

Mone just gone at 18,000 miles. Estimate so far to fix it is £1,500, which I'm not happy about.

I was offered 50% goodwill when they thought that the beariing was the only issue, and am waiting to hear back on the full estimate.

It's out of warranty, as I was not offered one by BMW (someone maybe forgot to call) and I didn't think myself to follow it up, either (I only do 2-3k miles a year now, as I have quite a few other cars and bikes that I use more often).

 

[original_concept]

18K~ seems 'common'.

My bearing or whatever it is introduced play in the rear wheel at 18K. Dalkeith replaced the part under warranty and it was 100% until 80K on a 2009 spec GS. After 24K I had the FD oil changed every 12K.

Perhaps BMW should replace all bearings at the 18K service under warranty

 

[NorthernBoy]

Looks like BMW will pick up the cost of the new final drive. During the road test, though, they've unfortunately found that the fuel guage iis broken. £180 for a new one.

Two BMWs now, both plagued with faults. I'm not willing to believe that I just have a bad one now.

 

[retardedignition]

Don't bother with the fuel gauge. I've had mine replaced under warranty (like countless others on this forum) and they still pack up. Just trust the trip meter.

 

[Number 6]

New FD bearing and a new drive shaft at 15500 miles on my 2010 GSA. (and it's never been power-washed)

 

[Dr.KC]

New FD bearing and a new drive shaft at 15500 miles on my 2010 GSA. (and it's never been power-washed)

I tend to believe that the problem is 100% wrong shimming from manufacturing...general poor QC.

 

[red1]

I tend to believe that the problem is 100% wrong shimming from manufacturing...general poor QC.

You are probably 100% correct, but BMW still continue to ignore the issue.

 

[cookie]

I tend to believe that the problem is 100% wrong shimming from manufacturing...general poor QC.

that would certainly explain why some FDs go on and on, other units fail repeatedly when only the bearings are changed.

 

[clampet]

Well that's it then init. Some are using their pressure washers more than others

Best regards Stretch

Have never used pressure washer on the bike,only ever used a low pressure hose with a rose attatchment.I was asked by BMW dealer if I had ever used the bike off road or in water,what a question,surely the bike was designed for it.The bike has never been off road so I'm disappionted on the reliability.