Final Drive MOT Failure.

[bobsnew]

My 2005 1150 GSA failed its MOT today, play in the Final drive.
Looking for some direction here, if anyone can throw a few ideas in the pot.
I know there, hundreds of posts on here relating to similar issues with final drives.

What's the worst and best case scenario for a fix ?
Taking it to a main dealer is not a viable option.

Any special tools required ?

If I manage to remove the FD myself is it a practical repair I can do my self, what are the pitfalls ?
What are the likely costs involved ?
Who would you recommend to carry out the work ? Cheers

 

[fatnfast]

First thing is to determine what 'part' of the final drive did it fail on. There could be play in either the big FD bearing or the paralever bearings (not part of the FD as such but play here can give that impression). Is the play felt at 3 and 9 'o' clock when grasping the rear wheel or 6 and 12 'o' clock (or both)? If the rear brake is applied does the play dissapear?

I have done mine, and it is not a difficult job providing you have a reasonable mechanical knowledge and some good tools. I dont know where in the UK you are, but there are some very good independants about who could easily sort this out (steptoe).

 

[bobsnew]

Hi, Definitely at 6 & 12, not sure as to whether it exists with rear brake applied, obviously I will investigate further when I can get someone to apply the brake for me, I live in the West midlands. thanks

 

[hops]

Reckon

On anywhere between no costs upwards of a couple of hundred if you need external help. If I had to make a wild guess I'd say it'll be the paralever bearings and in some cases they can be nipped up a bit removing the play. If they need replacing you need some basic spannering skills and a decent socket set, possibly a heat gun & nothing more.

If its the main bearing you would benefit from a puller but only pretty basic tools will do the job.

 

[bobsnew]

Yes, thank you, thats encouraging, as the bloke who did the MOT was bit of a prophet of doom, says it was his experience that the FD casings were too thin where the bearing is located and usually req.d to replace the whole lot.

 

[bobsnew]

Thanks for the advice chaps, legs crossed, it may be as you suggested the Paralever bearing needing adjustment, i wedged the rear brake on and still detect some movement 6 &12 oclock only, no movement at position 3 & 9.

 

[fatnfast]

Thats good news-ish. What your MOT man said about the FD case being to thin is news to me, never heard of that one before.
Adjustment of the bearings is pretty easy, you dont really need to remove the wheel to do it, but if the bearings have never been touched I would suggest you do.
Do a search on paralever bearing adjustment and it should all become clear, but ask if your not happy about doing it.

 

[Flipfly]

Yes, thank you, thats encouraging, as the bloke who did the MOT was bit of a prophet of doom, says it was his experience that the FD casings were too thin where the bearing is located and usually req.d to replace the whole lot.

Sounds like your MOT guy wants you to take your expensive bmw to him so that he can bend you over and extract mucho cash

Have a few hours in the garage and replace pivot bearings and the main bearing........job done and no more worries for a good few miles and £100 all in

 

[davegs]

Final drive

Your MOT man is talking bollocks, have a look in the do a search on here for help with the paralever bearings and FD bearing you'll need to heat up the
paralever bearings as they are put on with lock tight and also a tourqe wrench.
Jobs quite straight forward but you must get it really hot to remove the pins.

 

[bobsnew]

Well thanks to the good advice from yourselves and having spent the evening trawling through the many threads on the subject, that lump in my throat has somewhat reduced greatly. I find that I am without the 30 ml socket & 12 ml allen key, but a company local to me sells these on flea bay BMW Swinging Arm Bearing Tool :-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280964961407?Page Name=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Rang them this morning and they have promised them to be in stock tomorrow.
As regards my MOT man, your theory may well be correct, I will give him the benefit of the doubt and put his remarks down to ignorance rather than malice, but I will be rewarded in the satisfaction of advising of the outcome, hopefully.

 

[Pekkavee]

Have a look in here
Link

Pekka

 

[bobsnew]

Thanks to you guys, followed the guidance given, paralever bearing truly adjusted, retested MOT & passed with flying colours, 100 mile round trip around South Shropshire to prove all is well.

 

[uncle buck]

Can you tell us who did the MOT.Like to Know so as to stay well clear

 

[bobsnew]

Yep, Hartills Bilston, Wolverhampton.

 

[Deak]

Yep, Hartills Bilston, Wolverhampton.

My how things have changed.

When I started riding bikes in the late 70's, Hartills in Caledonia St were (in)famous for issuing "drive by" MOT's.

Of course I never felt tempted to use this speedy and convenient service

 

[bobsnew]

My how things have changed.

When I started riding bikes in the late 70's, Hartills in Caledonia St were (in)famous for issuing "drive by" MOT's.

Of course I never felt tempted to use this speedy and convenient service

I do give him the benefit of the doubt & feel he is genuine, it is an education & an experience, Fred is very thorough & you feel confident that you have a safe bike after its undergone the scrutiny, it's a bit like the last of the summer wine, with an audience of maturing bikers sipping tea & throwing in their two penneth. He is also one of the few in this area who provides the test for electric servo type brakes having the old scales mounted on the wall.
Also no appointment system, just turn up, sit on the bench and wait your turn, sip tea and gossip with the rest of em.

 

[flying circus]

My how things have changed.

When I started riding bikes in the late 70's, Hartills in Caledonia St were (in)famous for issuing "drive by" MOT's.

Of course I never felt tempted to use this speedy and convenient service

drive by was the stricter test, legend says he once issued a mot certificate only haveing seen a photo of the bike. the place is a bit of a joke now.