Final drive oil leak - help appreciated

[andrewh]

Just arrived in Dublin after 170 mile motorway run from Yorkshire to Holyhead, noticed oil on Wheel rim coming from final drive outer seal (I think), planned 150 mile trip in Ireland and then back to Yorkshire. do i need to visit a BMW service centre? Cleaned oil up does not appear to be leaking when cold. Your experience would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Nobbyspiles]

Which bike are you on? Is it later model with breather or earlier with none. How wet is the rim? Misted or is it really soaking wet? The RH seal is an easy on bike replacement but dealer would have to have it in stock. It's not a std seal either so no point going to bearing supplier. Ride for a few miles to see exactly where it's coming from. Has the oil been changed recently? Could it be the filler bung, abs/speedo sensor leaking maybe?

Joe Duffy
Exit 5 M50, North Road
Dublin 11
Tel: 01 864 7777

Murphy & Gunn
9/14 Milltown Road, Milltown
Dublin 6
Tel: 01 215 3300

Frank Keane
John F. Kennedy Drive, Naas Road
Dublin 12
Tel: 01 240 5666 (Out of Hours 087 7986104)

 

[Nobbyspiles]

00353 is the code if you're using a uk mobile

 

[andrewh]

2006 GSA, to be honest not sure if breather type, not just misting enough to drip 4 spots on wheel rim, stopped four times on way to Holyhead?? just had 20k service last week, not sure if Final drive oiled replaced, should be with amount paid....

 

[patzx12]

There is 3 BMW fixers in the Dublin area.
Duffys north Dublin,
Maddocks and Platinm Motorcycles South Dublin.
Its probably just the outer seal 15 min job

 

[Nobbyspiles]

2006 GSA, to be honest not sure if breather type, not just misting enough to drip 4 spots on wheel rim, stopped four times on way to Holyhead?? just had 20k service last week, not sure if Final drive oiled replaced, should be with amount paid....

'06 no breather. Have you been out on it since it was serviced or is this the first excursion on it? if it's dripping on the wheel rim, is that when it's on the main stand? If so then it couldn't be the seal as if it was it would be dripping on the ground would it not? That would suggest it was inboard of the seal.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

From what you have said, you have a leaky outer seal. I've had teh same problem on mine some years ago and seen it on other GS's when we are in the US. That was normally caused by high temps and altitude which you wn't get in Ireland.

The oil only mists and you won't have lost much and nothing to worry about IMHO. Get it sorted when you get back and just enjoy the ride.

 

[MIKA]

As above, if its only misting change it when you get home.
I have changed 2 OE BMW seals and they leaked again after a few thousand miles.
Put one of these on last year and have had no trouble since.

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p7...Oil+Seal+with+Garter+Spring/product_info.html

 

[swissrob]

As above, if its only misting change it when you get home.
I have changed 2 OE BMW seals and they leaked again after a few thousand miles.
Put one of these on last year and have had no trouble since.

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p7...Oil+Seal+with+Garter+Spring/product_info.html

Be aware that simplybearings are lying cnuts..... its not a double lip at all, its a single lip with a wiper ring, they were not interested in a refund or restock - had to get the CC company involved then they were phoning every day asking about the seal.

 

[Merv]

I rode mine from Galway to Glasgow like this,30 minutes at the stealers to fit new seal and good as new,done 10000 miles since

 

[andrewh]

Thanks for the advice. Called at Joe Duffy BMW Dublin, this morning 50 minutes later oil seal changed, fantastic service could not reccomend them highly enough, in fact I think I will start a new thread to do just that. Only problem now afternoon ferry cancelled now getting up at 5:30 for early boat, wife not impressed she needs her Beaty sleep.....

 

[glenn2926]

big shout

For Joe Duffy dealers Dublin. I was with Andrew in Ireland this weekend and as he has said had a problem with FD oil seal. We were at Joe Duffy's place for opening time on Saturday. The staff there are amazing, they could not have been more helpfull. The bike was fixed inside 50 minuets and we drank all the coffee we could in that time. All the staff we spoke to are a credit to their employer and I think I can speak for both of us in saying I would recommend them to anyone. So once again big thanks to Joe Duffy.

 

[steviefd]

hello just asking as part of this outer seal repair is the oil not topped up if only a small leak has occured? cheers

 

[steviefd]

Final drive outer seal

I guess this pic is on here a 1000 times already but here's my leak. Hopefully a classic outer seal only issue.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I guess this pic is on here a 1000 times already but here's my leak. Hopefully a classic outer seal only issue.

Yep, outer seal only and simple to fix. No hurry either because it looks worse than it is. Earthmover ran his for 3000 miles last year with a slight leak and it was fine

 

[ianran]

Have heard of oil coming from an oil o ring being caught on reassembly where you put oil in to top up.

 

[ianm00]

I had oil leaking on my outer seal (2006 GS) but when I called the dealer to ask about outer seal replacement he told me to check for play on the wheel. In his opinion if oil is leaking the final drive bearings probably need replacement. I took his advice and checked for play he was correct so I ended up having the final drive re-built!

Ian

 

[deaninkl]

Hi andrew, I have an 06' and noticed mist around my seal a couple of thousand km ago, no seriousness leak just mist after a long run. Will get replaced when I change the rear drive oil this month. I keep an eye on the temp. Of the drive. But oil have never got onto my rim.

I would keep an eye on it, but carry on your journey.

 

[GSmiles]

I had oil leaking on my outer seal (2006 GS) but when I called the dealer to ask about outer seal replacement he told me to check for play on the wheel. In his opinion if oil is leaking the final drive bearings probably need replacement. I took his advice and checked for play he was correct so I ended up having the final drive re-built!

Ian

I agree with that dealer. I had that leak and got the seal changed(42000miles)...A little bit later (43000miles) a grinding noise started to come from the rear wheel, which when checked, was the result of enough play to warrant changing the bearing(s). A seal won't normally just fail- something will cause the failure, it may be a piece of foreign material, a lack of lubricant or the concentric rotation caused by excessive play in the bearing.. The important thing to realise with this version of BMW shaft drive is that the grinding noise that you will one day hear when the bearings have enough wear is that the noise isn't actually coming from the bearing . it is coming from the teeth of the two gear wheels as they are being forced together by the play in the bearing.. it is a potentially very expensive noise. Check for play at the wheel rim with the bike on the centrestand. 3mm ( 1/8th inch) is almost too much. Replace the bearings before the gearwheels get worn out ! The point of this diatribe being that the failure of the seal is probably an early indication of play building up in the bearings.....