oil leak and final drive

[Lloydy]

Had the bike in for the 18000 mile service at a cost of £430 odd pounds , half of that down to the new brake fluid procedure. The service report came back saying further investigation was needed into an oil leak from the back of the engine and a noisy final drive. This is not good as the bike is 6 months out of the warrant. The bike has been serviced by BMW and I am now in the process of getting the bike booked in to find out what the damage will be.Further news to follow , but any advice about how to approach BMW would nice. Have already had the standard reply from BMW Uk to go throught the dealer etc before they will comment. They apparently understand my dissapointment
Just something else for people to check on there 1200gs's is the centre stand bolts, the right hand side bolt on mine sheared and was lucky that the bike did't fall over. When I purchased the new bolt, BMW parts man said down to corrosion. ( You don't say) doesn't bode well for the thousands of other bolts on the bike.
Still happy with the ride , but losing confidence with build quality.

 

[Tartan Terror]

Got to be worth a warranty repair as a 'goodwill' gesture surely as it's only 6 months out. Not as if it's a rare fault.

 

[John Clarke]

Hi there

Had a similar problem (gearbox oil seal failure) with my '06 GS at the 18000 mile service.

BMW Battersea organised some goodwill payment with BMW UK - all parts and 60% of labour were paid for but I was still something like £250 out of pocket.

So it is definitely worth pursuing some form of goodwill contribution.

As for the corrosion .... don't get me started

Have you taken a look at the alloy on the engine front cover lately?

And as for the bolts and fasteners - you just have to show them a light shower and a nice light brown rust veneer appears. You can imagine what happens once the roads get salted......

All part of the "character" of the machine apparently.....but undeniably it is a fine machine to ride (when it isn't in the garage or on the back of a recovery truck).

Good luck with the repairs.

cheers

John

 

[Lloydy]

final drive latest

Been dealing with BMW Cooper in Tonbridge who have been very good. I have had the Radial shaft seal replaced and paid £61.41 for the pleasure. I was advised by the service department that they will be in a better position to appeal to BMW's better nature for the final drive which they have decided needs replacing.
For all you GS owners out there this is the point where you need to sit down.
The cost of replacing the Final drive is £800.
The BMW computer apparently agreed to pay half of this amount. £400

The request has now been re submitted for a human being to look at and debate the facts.
In the meantime I can ride the bike which is apparently not dangerous, just noisy.
The only slightly worrying thing is , is when I asked what would have caused the final drive to go , I was told , " They just go"

What ever the result I can't help but think that in another 18000 miles I will be looking at another final drive bill.
To be continued

 

[patzx12]

Both my GSA1200 and GS1200 have the oil mist stain on the FD.
I have a set of bearings and seals for the GSA and I will strip and rebuild this bike first. I have never done one but it's an easy job.
Best to rebuild, there is no sense replacing FD's every 20k miles.
I guess going forward the FD on these bikes will need ongoing maintanance just like a chain & sprocket jobbie.

 

[Pukmeister]

Pat, I hope you have access to the required tooling or the means to make your own. When my FD needed repairing due to a leaking input pinion shaft seal, it was easier for the dealers to swap it out for a new one due to a lack of tooling availability from BMW in Germany.

 

[aspad]

This is a timely discussion.
I have just come back from a 2000kms jaunt with the FD leaking its vital juice.
I first noticed it about 600kms from home but it had been leaking for a bit before that so I'm guessing it may have leaked for most of my 1000kms home.
I phoned the dealer when I saw it and he advised to keep riding and bring it in on return which I did.
His diagnosis is that the external seal has gone (not sure what the tech name is but it is the one behind that circular, black plastic ring clip that you see when you look at the FD from the RH side) He estimates that the bike may have lost 25-50mls of oil but that the FD runs in 250ml so should be fine for the future.
Any thoughts?
I did not notice anything wrong performance wise with the bike and no noise at all from the FD as I was riding home.
Your advice appreciated.

 

[Mav]

This is a timely discussion.
I have just come back from a 2000kms jaunt with the FD leaking its vital juice.
I first noticed it about 600kms from home but it had been leaking for a bit before that so I'm guessing it may have leaked for most of my 1000kms home.
I phoned the dealer when I saw it and he advised to keep riding and bring it in on return which I did.
His diagnosis is that the external seal has gone (not sure what the tech name is but it is the one behind that circular, black plastic ring clip that you see when you look at the FD from the RH side) He estimates that the bike may have lost 25-50mls of oil but that the FD runs in 250ml so should be fine for the future.
Any thoughts?
I did not notice anything wrong performance wise with the bike and no noise at all from the FD as I was riding home.
Your advice appreciated.

Replacing that seal is not a big deal and doesn't necessarily require changing out the final drive. Sometimes, the seal can go because the FD is on the way out. Unless you can notice any grinding when turning the wheel, or any play, or any swarf on the ABS sensor, I would not worry about it. Get the seal replaced, keep an eye on the FD for leaks, and keep riding it

 

[Gabby]

As reported on this forum I have an 06 GSA and now on my 3rd final drive at 62,000 miles. All paid for by BMW 100%. The last one went 13 months out of warranty. I made a claim with BMW and they paid. I don’t have the extended warranty.

My advice is do not accept part payment for their problems and insist they pay the lot. They did and have also given me 2 years warranty on this final drive! Threaten to kick off, never by a BMW again and let them know in no uncertain terms that you are in touch with other GS riders on this forum and you will make a noise about it.

To be fair if I had got to around 80 to 120,000 then I would have paid. First one went at 34,000 second at 56,000 miles which is not good enough...... the final drive is not “Fit for Purpose”.

They obviously have a major issue with these on the 06 to 07’s unless you’re lucky.

How are you 08 boys getting on? If any of you have had an FD go then it's bye bye BWM for me......

 

[patzx12]

I would say if you spin the rear wheel making sure the brake pads are not touching, the wheel should spin completely silent. Any noise would mean it is due for a rebuild.
Also in my opinion.
NEVER POWER WASH THE REAR END AROUND THE FD.

 

[Gabby]

I would say if you spin the rear wheel making sure the brake pads are not touching, the wheel should spin completely silent. Any noise would mean it is due for a rebuild.
Also in my opinion.
NEVER POWER WASH THE REAR END AROUND THE FD.

Sound advice and I rest my case - "Not fit for purpose". Who in their right mind would bye on "Off Road" bike that you could't jet wash off!

 

[wilbjr21]

Sound advice and I rest my case - "Not fit for purpose". Who in their right mind would bye on "Off Road" bike that you could't jet wash off!

Now that really is a ridiculous comment.

My jet wash will give out more than a few bar and force water anywhere. Splashing through a steam has nowhere near the same effect.

You've just got to use some common sense

 

[aspad]

Replacing that seal is not a big deal and doesn't necessarily require changing out the final drive. Sometimes, the seal can go because the FD is on the way out. Unless you can notice any grinding when turning the wheel, or any play, or any swarf on the ABS sensor, I would not worry about it. Get the seal replaced, keep an eye on the FD for leaks, and keep riding it

Cheers Mav. Fixed in short order. Blown seal.

 

[Panzer Patrol]

All the parts are available over the counter and the final drive is actually easier to rebuild than the 1150 one as it doesnt have a taper roller cage in a blind hole. It does require a bit of finese with a press and a bit of gentle heat in the right places, but is no harder to do than old ones.
Total cost of parts to rebuild less than £60
I have now done nearly 2000miles on my rebuilt one with no problems. Mind you! the oil is chuffing expensive.

 

[Lord Vader]

As reported on this forum I have an 06 GSA and now on my 3rd final drive at 62,000 miles. All paid for by BMW 100%. The last one went 13 months out of warranty. I made a claim with BMW and they paid. I don’t have the extended warranty.

My advice is do not accept part payment for their problems and insist they pay the lot. They did and have also given me 2 years warranty on this final drive! Threaten to kick off, never by a BMW again and let them know in no uncertain terms that you are in touch with other GS riders on this forum and you will make a noise about it.

To be fair if I had got to around 80 to 120,000 then I would have paid. First one went at 34,000 second at 56,000 miles which is not good enough...... the final drive is not “Fit for Purpose”.

They obviously have a major issue with these on the 06 to 07’s unless you’re lucky.

How are you 08 boys getting on? If any of you have had an FD go then it's bye bye BWM for me......

Snap got a 06 too,also on my 3rd drive but only managed 26k miles till the last one went
Have a look here
nice little read
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153449

 

[Lloydy]

Been dealing with BMW Cooper in Tonbridge who have been very good. I have had the Radial shaft seal replaced and paid £61.41 for the pleasure. I was advised by the service department that they will be in a better position to appeal to BMW's better nature for the final drive which they have decided needs replacing.
For all you GS owners out there this is the point where you need to sit down.
The cost of replacing the Final drive is £800.
The BMW computer apparently agreed to pay half of this amount. £400

The request has now been re submitted for a human being to look at and debate the facts.
In the meantime I can ride the bike which is apparently not dangerous, just noisy.
The only slightly worrying thing is , is when I asked what would have caused the final drive to go , I was told , " They just go"

What ever the result I can't help but think that in another 18000 miles I will be looking at another final drive bill.
To be continued

Just spoken to Cooper Tonbridge Wells who have now confirmed that the final drive will be replaced by BMW at a cost of £800. I will have to pay the £28.75 labour. Trying to look at this in a positive light , this is not a bad result. Although this still leaves concerns for the future reliability of this part and for that matter the rest of the bike. Just for the record this has all been achieved without getting angry and banging fists on desks.Would I have got more out of the deal by doing this? I don't know, but my blood pressure has remained low. Heres to the next 6000miles.
Lloydy

 

[MattW]

Just for the record this has all been achieved without getting angry and banging fists on desks.Would I have got more out of the deal by doing this? I don't know, but my blood pressure has remained low. Heres to the next 6000miles.
Lloydy

FWIW I doubt getting angry could have achieved more - people who work in customer service generally respond much better to calm, measured reason. Of course you need to stand your ground and be firm, but if was a 'could go either way' decision, I'd bet the nice guy would win over the table thumper. And as you say, it's better for your stress levels too

 

[davedyer]

...final drive will be replaced by BMW at a cost of £800. I will have to pay the £28.75 labour. Just for the record this has all been achieved without getting angry and banging fists on desks.Would I have got more out of the deal by doing this?

What? Not to have to pay the £28.75? Possibly - if they're replacing it to the cost of £800 that can be seen as an admission the item was sub-standard and not fit for purpose, so why should you have to pay even 1p, let alone £28.75? But I think the loss of good-will between you and your dealer would be worth more than that.

Whilst on the subject of faulty and failing FDs I have a major concern.

Several years ago I had to investigate a fatal motorcycle accident which involved a seized bearing in the primary drive unit to the shaft drive. The motorcycle was a Suzuki Cavalcade - their answer to the Honda Goldwing - which was only available for the American market but over the years about 150 have found their way to the UK. There was a design flaw with a bearing in the primary drive which caused it to seize and lock-up the rear wheel. On this occasion the rider suffered such a failure which caused a total loss of control and the bike flipped over and crushed the pillion to death.

The Cavalcade owners' club in the States had even gone as far as having a modified part manufactured to cure the problem. Unfortunately this UK bike hadn't had the mod done before is was imported to the UK.

Whilst I'm not aware of any G1200s suffering rear wheel lock-ups as a result of FD failures, I would not ride one which had been diagnosed as having a failing unit.

 

[MattW]

What? Not to have to pay the £28.75? Possibly - if they're replacing it to the cost of £800 that can be seen as an admission the item was sub-standard and not fit for purpose, so why should you have to pay even 1p, let alone £28.75?

I believe if you pay the labour (or even some labour) the fitted part carries a full (2 year?) warranty. I don't think this applies if you don't make a contribution.
Or something like that?.....

What's £28.75 anyway? - 1/2 hour, 20 mins? - I'd have thought a final drive replacement would take longer than half an hour.

 

[davedyer]

I believe if you pay the labour (or even some labour) the fitted part carries a full (2 year?) warranty. I don't think this applies if you don't make a contribution.
Or something like that?.....

What's £28.75 anyway? - 1/2 hour, 20 mins? - I'd have thought a final drive replacement would take longer than half an hour.

And that's taking their time. It's only taking the rear wheel off, disconnecting the swingarm linkage and dropping the FD off and replacing with the new one.