Outer/Right Hand Final Drive Oil Seal Failure

[dlevett]

The Right Hand - outer - oil seal has failed on my '06 1200 GS 12,000km - 7,500 miles) - it's about 3 months out of warranty
The dealer tells me that this is not a usual 1200 final drive failure and that 'it's out of warranty' and BMW will not pay

So the question to the mighty knowledge of the forum is:
- Is this a 'usual' 1200 final drive failure?
- is there a presidence of BMW covering the cost for low mileage bikes that are slightly out of the time based warranty?

Urgent advice sought, since I collect the bike tomorrow!

Cheers,

Dave.

 

[Dave Cr]

Might be worth asking for BMW to foot part of the cost through a 'goodwill' gesture. I had a similar problem with my 05 bike and only had to pay the labour costs, which wasn't much, thankfully.

 

[Wapping]

They are not expensive (or a big job) to replace.

Most large manufacturers look kindly on contributing towards recently expired warranty costs. Tlak to them nicely.

 

[spock]

well it is 2 years old

 

[johnnyboy]

Mine failed at 33000 miles (1200rt, same axle), changed the seal myself. From memory, the seal was just over £10 and it took me about 10 minutes to change. Biggest job was draining and refilling the final drive with correct amount of oil because the numpties at BMW decided not to fit a level plug cos the oil is supposed to last for life!

 

[patboy]

Where exactly is this seal, because i have noticed a slight oil deposit on my 05 bike at the rubber gaiter section on the final drive, photo appreciated.

 

[ed4554]

Mine failed 1 month out of warranty.
Dealer submitted a goodwill claim and the final drive unit was replaced. Not just the seal. Free of charge.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Mine failed whilst in Germany recently (06 12GSA 14000 miles-ish) fortunately I took up the reasonably priced extended warranty and BMW assist picked up the bill
I did ask how much the repair was and they showed me the bill 77Euro which included 1 hour's labour,don't let your dealer fleece you for the repair,I think this is one of the "known issues" and a common failure-BMW should foot the bill as a gesture of goodwill-good luck

 

[Sigster]

(US) MCN BMW final drive article

The Right Hand - outer - oil seal has failed on my '06 1200 GS 12,000km - 7,500 miles) - it's about 3 months out of warranty
The dealer tells me that this is not a usual 1200 final drive failure and that 'it's out of warranty' and BMW will not pay

So the question to the mighty knowledge of the forum is:
- Is this a 'usual' 1200 final drive failure?
- is there a presidence of BMW covering the cost for low mileage bikes that are slightly out of the time based warranty?

Urgent advice sought, since I collect the bike tomorrow!

Cheers,

Dave.

The US magazine Motorcycle Consumer News had a 4-page article on BMW final drive problems in the last issue.
Don't think I'd be allowed to post it here,
how can I get a hold of your PM ?

Maybe it gives you some ammunition when arguing with your dealer.

Pity yours is a 2006, the article mentions that BMW quietly increased warranty for final drive failures starting with bikes sold after Jan '07.
Might be only US, though...

Over on ADVrider they have a discussion on the article

(Do I get banned for linking to another site ?

Even if it's not near as good as this one, obviously )


Siggi

 

[dlevett]

The US magazine Motorcycle Consumer News had a 4-page article on BMW final drive problems in the last issue.
Don't think I'd be allowed to post it here,
how can I get a hold of your PM ?

Siggi

Siggi,

Thanks - you could E-Mail me at dlevett (at) hotmail (dot) com

Cheers,

David.

 

[harry]

The Right Hand - outer - oil seal has failed on my '06 1200 GS 12,000km - 7,500 miles) - it's about 3 months out of warranty
The dealer tells me that this is not a usual 1200 final drive failure and that 'it's out of warranty' and BMW will not pay

So the question to the mighty knowledge of the forum is:
- Is this a 'usual' 1200 final drive failure?
- is there a presidence of BMW covering the cost for low mileage bikes that are slightly out of the time based warranty?

Urgent advice sought, since I collect the bike tomorrow!


Dave.

That seal failure is VERY common, usually around 15000+ miles

 

[johnnyboy]

Where exactly is this seal, because i have noticed a slight oil deposit on my 05 bike at the rubber gaiter section on the final drive, photo appreciated.

It's behind the plastic cover that fits into the centre of the final drive. The cover just levers off.

 

[dlevett]

Aparently, according to my BMW Dealer here in South Africa, it's very uncommon, and they've only ever done 'about 3'!!!

I wonder

 

[cusi]

Happened to mine, the oil cost more than the seal.