Pivot bearings

[Tim1200]

Just got a call from bmw saying that my gsa 2014 6000 mile bike needs the rear pivot bearings the bikes out of warranty and bmw are not interested although they say they've had similar complaints yet they won't contribute to the cost anyone had similar problems.?

 

[autogs]

that seems to me to be premature wear of said bearings?, stand your ground get the dealer on your side

 

[Tim1200]

well the dealer said they'd need to remove them first before they go to bmw to plead my case then if bmw dont do anything im stuck with the bill ;-( its not a problem changing them myself im just severely disappointed in bmw,s quality the dealer also said my break fluid cap is seeping brake fluid which is 40 quid for a replacement seal ;-(

 

[moonhead911]

did your bike come with a made in china label warranty void when bike leaves the shop

 

[Tim1200]

Lol well it was a private sale bloke had it 2 years and couple of months and done 2000 miles due to a injury I did get it at a good price but I'd just expect better from bmw :-(

 

[Tim1200]

It turns out I have to pay half the cost which in a way fair enough still doesn't fill me with confidence considering its only done 6000 miles

 

[autogs]

if you pay a contribution you will get 2 yr warrenty on the parts iirc

 

[B11RGER]

I don't suppose it has been cleaned with a pressure washer multiple times ?

 

[Tim1200]

Aye it's getting sorted now

 

[Tim1200]

And not jet washed by me and the bloke who had it didn't use it enough for it to get dirty

 

[Pansmiker]

FYI

leaking brake fluid reservoirs is a known and acknowledged fault on 2014 RT LC. My friend and my brother had theirs changed under warranty in May 2016 in Italy whilst we were touring.

 

[Tim1200]

Thanks for that I'm not sure if they're including it in the price iv been given but I will double check

 

[snaponphil]

Interesting post, fair outcome I would think, I would have been disappointed with Bmw on your behalf (if you know what I mean)
I wouldn't expect the pivot bearings to fail so prematurely.
An obvious case for goodwill warranty contribution.

 

[Neil W]

Just been informed that the ones on mine are on their way out and sure enough there is play on them , a job for this winter I think

 

[Sea Dog]

I learned a few years ago on a Reliability Centred Maintenance course, rather to my surprise, that bearings tend to fail randomly rather than in any predictable way like a bathtub curve. With that in mind, expected life and warranty issues becomes a bit of a lottery. I'd suggest BMW replacing bearings outside a warranty period is service indeed.

 

[malcopopolo]

FYI

leaking brake fluid reservoirs is a known and acknowledged fault on 2014 RT LC. My friend and my brother had theirs changed under warranty in May 2016 in Italy whilst we were touring.

I concur, mine was replaced under warranty. It is a known problem but so are alot of items that BMW refuse to honour outside of Warranty, or even worse you have to pay the excess on known issues repaired under the extended warranty. We really are FUKWITS standing for this

 

[alp]

With respect to bearing life ....when I was a machinery design engineer (C.Eng. M.I.Mech.E) bearing selection for an application was obviously related to the work load the bearing would be subjected to (far from a simple calculation with varying loads) but there are at least two other factors involved, 1) bearing life prediction from the bearing manufacturers was based on I recall 90% 'ish of bearings meeting that life prediction under the specified loads and 2) Your machinery specification bearing life requirement for no failures depending on customer expectations and your reputation as a quality machinery supplier etc. So you would over specify the bearing selection to achieve 2) above. This can create an argument between the bean counters and the design engineers. I'm sure the BMW engineers are facing the same choices as we used to but at least they have the time to test the machines before they reach the customer, well at least in theory. We had to get it right first time without prior tests!

 

[Neil W]

Just rechecked mine up on the bench and the outer pivot bearing a sealed ball race bearing which appears to have no play , it is the inner a needle roller bearing which appears to be b*ggered .

 

[Neil W]

As a matter of interest does anyone know what the dimensions (bearing number would be helpful) for the inner needel roller bearing are.

It seems a poor application for a non adjustable needle roller as it will never be actually moving only pivoting through a few degrees of movement and the lubricant will soon disperse. Similarly it is in probably the worst place on a bike for a non sealed bearing should it suffer ant water ingress.

This is a similar application to some needle rollers used in rear suspension linkages or swinging arms which also wear out at an unreasonable rate, on my CCM I followed the generally accepted advice on the forum to replace the needle rollers in the swingingarm pivots with solid oil impregnated bushes which so far have proved a damned sight more durable.

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

The needle roller is a BMW speciality. It has a lip rubber seal at one end. Not been able to find it anywhere else other BMW. The other bearing is a double row ball race and is available from bearing suppliers.