Final Drive oil level

[Bear]

Since we seem to have a few FD queries about at the moment, and I've got a new outer oil seal on the way, can anyone please advise of the correct way to check the FD oil level? I'm assuming that the plug at the rear of the unit is for level checking (i.e. oil pours out of it when there's enough) and I fill it through the speed sensor hole (having removed the sensor first).

 

[Wierpig]

No mate,thats the drain plug.Disconnect the drive shaft and the final drive swings down so that plug is at the bottom.
only way to check the level on pre 07 ones is to drain and refill with correct amount (think its 220 ml)

 

[cookie]

....and you'll need to fill it through the ABS sensor hole, as the level is above the drain on the back.

 

[Wapping]

Final drive

 

[Pukmeister]

A good write up, except for the bit which says you can heat the oil in a microwave to make it pour more easily. That's not good advice.

 

[Wapping]

A good write up, except for the bit which says you can heat the oil in a microwave to make it pour more easily. That's not good advice.

I am the global Product and General Third Party Liability broker for a major white goods (fridges, freezers, ovens, vacuums, etc. etc.) manufacturer in America.

It's not surprising people manage to kill and injure themselves - and cock their lubricating oil up as a neat sideline.

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Final drive

For a complete non-teccy I enjoyed reading that. A pity all instructions are not as clear and as well illustrated.

 

[bmwrich58]

Final drive

The Proper Gear Oil is 75w90 .........not 75w140

75w140 is for the 1100 thru 1150 models...the 1200 series uses 75w90..!

And...use the same oil/weight in the transmission(1200 series)....

 

[Pukmeister]

The Proper Gear Oil is 75w90 .........not 75w140

75w140 is for the 1100 thru 1150 models...the 1200 series uses 75w90..!

And...use the same oil/weight in the transmission(1200 series)....

Maybe in the USA, but not in Europe.

The oil specified for UK/Euro model R1200GS/GSA is:

CASTROL SAF-XO for the final drives
CASTROL EPX 80W90 for the transmission.

 

[gavin@iow]

Maybe in the USA, but not in Europe.

The oil specified for UK/Euro model R1200GS/GSA is:

CASTROL SAF-XO for the final drives
CASTROL EPX 80W90 for the transmission.

SAF-XO is for gearbox and final drive, 75w90, uk models.

 

[Pukmeister]

Not according to the official BMW/Castrol leaflet I got from Bahnstormer it isn't, although I agree that using SAF-XO in your gearbox would be fine.

 

[gavin@iow]

Not according to the official BMW/Castrol leaflet I got from Bahnstormer it isn't, although I agree that using SAF-XO in your gearbox would be fine.

Interesting that they now specify an extreme pressure lube for the transmission (less than half the price of SAF-XO!), my info was from the rep rom cd, maybe that's out of date now.

 

[Pukmeister]

FWIW I recently swapped over from a 75W90 fully synth gear oil to the recommended Castrol stuff at my last service and it has smoothed out the transmission lash, idling gear noise in neutral and gear shift 'feel' considerably.

Perhaps the slightly thicker grade of oil provides a thicker oil film between the gear faces?