Hi all,
My steering damper has become 'ornamental' no damping action anymore. Looks likely some crud found it's way on to the LHS shaft and seal, allowing oil to blow out over time
Is this a common issue, or am I simply one of an unlucky few?
Just considering my options, and trying to keep the £££'s low... any advice from those who've had a similar issue would be very welcome...
Option 1: Rebuild it myself. Sadly I can't find a rebuild guide, parts diagram, nor oil spec, and 'if needed' where the seals could be sourced. I'd imagine the internals are pretty basic. The shaft doesn't have any visible scoring... so best case
might be just a case of cleaning and rebuilding providing the original seals are undamaged and still serviceable (maybe)?? 
Option 2: Send it off for a rebuild and service, who does this for the oem bmw unit, any idea of cost??
Option 3: Buy a used replacement in 'working order'... either bmw or touratech, hyperpro etc... These seem a little thin on the ground just now.. ?
Option 4: Buy a new replacement, the bmw non adjustable std unit is crazy expensive for what it is.... especially (vs) a quality 3rd party 'adjustable' unit. So if I had to, I'd likely look at the 3rd party route (these also seem more serviceable)... Anyone seen any good offers out there, or have experience of a 3rd party steering dampers... (good or bad)?
Oddly enough the bike rides just fine (at least on road) without the damper functioning, even at motorway speeds & luggaged up. Reminds me of my old hexhead
TIA
My steering damper has become 'ornamental' no damping action anymore. Looks likely some crud found it's way on to the LHS shaft and seal, allowing oil to blow out over time
Is this a common issue, or am I simply one of an unlucky few?Just considering my options, and trying to keep the £££'s low... any advice from those who've had a similar issue would be very welcome...
Option 1: Rebuild it myself. Sadly I can't find a rebuild guide, parts diagram, nor oil spec, and 'if needed' where the seals could be sourced. I'd imagine the internals are pretty basic. The shaft doesn't have any visible scoring... so best case
might be just a case of cleaning and rebuilding providing the original seals are undamaged and still serviceable (maybe)?? Option 2: Send it off for a rebuild and service, who does this for the oem bmw unit, any idea of cost??
Option 3: Buy a used replacement in 'working order'
... either bmw or touratech, hyperpro etc... These seem a little thin on the ground just now.. ?Option 4: Buy a new replacement, the bmw non adjustable std unit is crazy expensive for what it is.... especially (vs) a quality 3rd party 'adjustable' unit. So if I had to, I'd likely look at the 3rd party route (these also seem more serviceable)... Anyone seen any good offers out there, or have experience of a 3rd party steering dampers... (good or bad)?
Oddly enough the bike rides just fine (at least on road) without the damper functioning, even at motorway speeds & luggaged up. Reminds me of my old hexhead
TIA
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. Just a little reluctant to spend £140 on a used unit with unknown history. I know it’ll be covered for x months by mw. Although feel a service (if someone does that) should be less with a then known good and tested unit. Inc fresh seals, fluids, warranty etc
Besides I’ve ridden my old hexhead in environments… deep gravel, sand etc where at times I ‘wish’ I’d had the benefits of a steering damper ‘sketchy’ af 
However, the geometry… head angle etc of the 1250 gsa is different and although manageable for me ‘thus far’ on road. It can feel like it wants to oscillate when ‘pushing on’ with luggage. tbh I also ride mixed trails where I’d really appreciate the damper being less ornamental on loose surfaces, ruts, rocks etc. Ps Cruise control is disabled in the Enduro modes, (at least) on the later 12 & 1250’s I’ve ridden.
That’s considerably better than my local dealer and food for thought 
