Rear drive seal needs replacing

That's a great idea! I've already written my "war and peace" novel to BMW customer service, but if they start arguing the point.....

And yes, 12k is about the threshold point isn't it? What a shame that BMW cursed such an extraordinarily brilliant bike by making it so flimsy:tears
 
Hi,
my rear drive (35k kms) is holding up good. After a long day (Dubai - Riyadh) at about 20k, there was some oily smear around the rhs seal. I cleaned it off and it did not reappear. There must be a breather somewhere but Ican't find one. Maybe this seal is the breather ?
A little drop of oil can make a big mess.
It is a quick enough job to change the oil. Checking the level a bit harder ecause it is filled by volume, not to a level. However, if I was stuck, I would slacken the "drain" plug with everything in normal position and of there was oil seeping out, I'd consider it ok to ride.
HTH,
Bin
 
Replacing that offside seal is really no big deal at all. My dealer did not have he correct tools (told me so) and it took him no more than a few minutes ... and he did not use a drill either ! Just hooked old one out somehow and I suppose just bashed o pressed a new one in. I would even try myself if it goes again. No need to drain final drive oil either,unless you have lost loads of oil, just do the job on he sidestand. It only takes a teaspoon of oil to make a lot of mess in that location. I must have run my bike for a thousand miles with it leaking lke the photo, the dealer did not change the oil and when I changed it some time later, the oil quantities were still near as damn it correct.
:D
 
Hmm, not sure about it not being a big deal - for 3 reasons;
1) You expect to have to replace consumables on a bike of this age and mileage - you should not be needing to replace the likes of oil / bearing seals. Not at 11-12k....

2) If you're not a worrier like me, perhaps you can ride around happily with the bike losing oil from the final drive. I'm a worrier - I like to know that the bike I'm riding isn't going to seize at the back end. IMHO, this is a dangerous and fundamental design flaw and something which BMW should be happy to address.

3) It's easy to say it's no big deal if your bike is still under warranty. Mine is 4 months outside the warranty, so I'm looking at having to pay out of my own pocket for BMW's lack of quality. If the bike was some cheap Chinese crap, then maybe you'd expect this sort of nonsense, but this is a top end machine which should be designed and built better.

Rant over.
 
max7 said:
3) It's easy to say it's no big deal if your bike is still under warranty. Mine is 4 months outside the warranty, so I'm looking at having to pay out of my own pocket for BMW's lack of quality. If the bike was some cheap Chinese crap, then maybe you'd expect this sort of nonsense, but this is a top end machine which should be designed and built better.

Rant over.
Click to expand...

very true, it shouldn't happen. i'd be quite surprised if bmw didn't fix it FOC though.
 
cookie said:
i'd be quite surprised if bmw didn't fix it FOC though.
Click to expand...

I really hope so. As you've probably gathered, I adore riding the bike - it has "character" in a way that other (Japanese) machines I've owned could only dream about. It would just be good if the guys at BMW did something to restore my faith.

Oh, and apologies for the rant....definitely shouldn't be taking it out on you peeps. After all, I don't want to be the next Att :eek:
 
Just to say (if there's anyone interested ) that BMW relented, did it under goodwill warranty. :thumb2

Well chuffed. Took it to the (loverly) people at Coopers, Tunbridge Wells - they gave me a K1200 R Sport for the day while they fixed my GS.

Now - 2 things happened that day.
1) I realised what a stonking bike the K1200 is, relentless power and no sign of the naff fueling that you read about in the press
2) Despite having a fantastic time on the K1200, just how glad I was to get back on the GS at the end of the day.

Converted to the K1200? Maybe, but gimme a GS any day! :)
 
Use of the Swiss Army Knife

GrinningGSer said:
Replacing that offside seal is really no big deal at all. My dealer did not have he correct tools (told me so) and it took him no more than a few minutes ... and he did not use a drill either ! Just hooked old one out somehow and I suppose just bashed o pressed a new one in. I would even try myself if it goes again. No need to drain final drive oil either,unless you have lost loads of oil, just do the job on he sidestand. It only takes a teaspoon of oil to make a lot of mess in that location. I must have run my bike for a thousand miles with it leaking lke the photo, the dealer did not change the oil and when I changed it some time later, the oil quantities were still near as damn it correct.
:D
Click to expand...

I agree with GrinningGSer as I have done exactly as he did on my 38K miler Adventure GS. I didn't have the correct tool to extract the seal so used the can opener on my Swiss Army knife to hoik it out - 2 minute job.
 
Ok, read the thread through and all the related threads. Mine leaks oil too but it's not an oil thread eh?
Bike, 07, had around 28k miles on it and started leaking from FD. Fitted new seal. Leaked after 1000 miles, rode it leaking, fitted new seal at 31k miles, leaked after about 1000 miles. Rode it leaking, if it's leaking it's still got oil in it. Checked for side play in wheel, none, checked for corrosion or 'nicks' in casing, none. I change these seals as part of my regular day job. Fitted new seal at 35k, now leaking after 500 miles.
Any suggestions ?????????
 
Rear Seal Change

Guys

You dont need the special tools to do this job, all you need is a slide hammer and a drill and someone who has half a clue how to do it, Ive done a couple of these now in my workshop and it only takes about 15 min from rolling onto the bench.

If anyone is struggling to get it done please drop me a line and I would be more than happy to do it for a fellow tosser.

Grumble over anyway just go and enjoy the bike and dont always be so easy to pay up for the dealer to do it because it wont invalidate your warranty if they dont do it.

Have fun

Mark.
 
Yea lots of fun,I'll change them too, hook them out with a 1.5mm allen key and push the new one in with thumbs,but dont want to be doing it every 500 miles
 
rear hub seal.

Spoke to my dealer today. £18 for the seal and 15 mins to fit.
 
Seal £9 from Motorworks...........
Up date on my leaky rear seal, 36,500 miles, checked the wheel for play today, none, still leaking, BUT, when you spin the wheel there is a knocking noise now, not graunchy like a bearing failure, more like chipped, missing teeth, anyone know of this trouble? bearings seem fine. Will be riding home from Belfast next Monday, looks like I'll have to get the Pan Euro out of hibernation next week. Pans a 03with no issues, last Pan was sold running sweet with 285,000 on it. Come on Honda, update the Africa.
 
Easy job

Just take the black ring off then there is a C clip in side and then I drilled the old seal and put a self tapper in to pull the seal out. But when I did this the bike was on the side stand and make sure to wipe all the crap out be for the new one is fitted
 
R17GSR said:
Come on Honda, update the Africa.
Click to expand...

And if they do don't expect anything like its excellent predecesor. You'll end up with a GS wannabe much like the Multistrada/Tenere but 260kg+ with the reconfigured 1200 V4 engine and similar tank range to the new VFR. No thanks I'll keep my 2002 AT with it's superior off road credentials until they prove me wrong.:augie
 
R17GSR said:
Seal £9 from Motorworks...........
Up date on my leaky rear seal, 36,500 miles, checked the wheel for play today, none, still leaking, BUT, when you spin the wheel there is a knocking noise now, not graunchy like a bearing failure, more like chipped, missing teeth, anyone know of this trouble? bearings seem fine. Will be riding home from Belfast next Monday, looks like I'll have to get the Pan Euro out of hibernation next week. Pans a 03with no issues, last Pan was sold running sweet with 285,000 on it. Come on Honda, update the Africa.
Click to expand...

How is it that you (alone) seem to be going through so many seals? Surely there must be another problem with the drive.

I also will keep my Africa Twin as it is - thank you very much. :thumb

You were more fortunate than me with the Pan European experience - I've had three and none were trouble free. Thats why I switched to the 1200 GS/GSA :thumb2
 
wilbjr21 said:
How is it that you (alone) seem to be going through so many seals? Surely there must be another problem with the drive.
Click to expand...

Remember that BMW now recommend filling with 180ml oil.

The old 220ml kept blowing seals :D
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jackassdave
rear drive seal gone
Replies
12
Views
2,043
jackassdave
jackassdave
Clutch slave cylinder needs replacing
Replies
4
Views
1,676
Jacal
deaninkl
Rear Drive Oil Seal
Replies
11
Views
2,019
Sgt Bilco
Sgt Bilco
Canuck
Do you think this clutch needs replacing?
Replies
9
Views
1,946
Canuck
Canuck
theop
rear drive seal failing....
Replies
13
Views
2,238
Bear


Back
Top Bottom