Rear wheel free play? Is it normal?

[Speedy23]

My bike is a 2005 1200GS. Out for a ride today, the handling seemed a bit "off". Got home, put the bike up on its centre stand amd found that when I tried to "rock" the wheel (across the frame) there was a noticeable amount of free play - I would say about 1mm movement at the edge of the tyre. Is this normal or is the diff or the rear wheel bearings on the way out?

 

[Phil Thomas]

My bike is a 2005 1200GS. Out for a ride today, the handling seemed a bit "off". Got home, put the bike up on its centre stand amd found that when I tried to "rock" the wheel (across the frame) there was a noticeable amount of free play - I would say about 1mm movement at the edge of the tyre. Is this normal or is the diff or the rear wheel bearings on the way out?

Bikes don't have a Diff - if you mean the Final drive I can't feel any movement on mine. I think perhaps it should be checked out.

Regards to all,

 

[iangough]

It's was normal for the 04 gs's until they were sorted under warranty. I'd take it to your dealer to get it checked out for sure...

 

[bustupbiker]

Thats how much play i had in my 05 F/D Williams changed it for me. Done 10,000mls on the new one no play in it yet. But i now have a spare for when it does go ***s up.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

Had the same thing on my 1150 GS in first 600 miles. Not sure about the 1 mm free play, but a noticeable click when trying to rock it as described. Bearing replaced under warranty, no further problems on that bike (or current 1200GS).

Can't say I noticed it affecting the handling at all, though.

 

[Engineer]

My bike is a 2005 1200GS. Out for a ride today, the handling seemed a bit "off". Got home, put the bike up on its centre stand amd found that when I tried to "rock" the wheel (across the frame) there was a noticeable amount of free play - I would say about 1mm movement at the edge of the tyre. Is this normal or is the diff or the rear wheel bearings on the way out?

1 mm free play at the rim is the max limit according to a BMW note that I have a copy of somewhere. This is according to BMW a consequence of the design of the rear drive bearing arrangement. Play at the rear wheel can also be confused with para-lever bearing play - best to get the opinion of you dealer.

 

[leman]

I had the final drive replaced on my 1200GS 05 at 7000 miles as there was significant play in the bearing, the play increased when the bike had been on a long run and then checked, when cold there was hardly any play but when warm i had rear wheel steer i checked for play when i collected the bike & there was none when i got home approx 40 miles i had about 1mm of play so i assume it is another one of those quirks for the GS1200 or maybe i will need another one soon, i cannot see the point of asking for another one to be fitted if i still end up with free play when warm, it seems to me that the different metals are expandind/contracting at different rates inside this final drive but i am no metallurgist

 

[pogo]

Hello,


-1 mm play is "normal" (thats what they say...)
-true,it is more noticable when warm,dont know why...
-I dont thing anybody is able to feel 1mm play at the rear wheel when riding


A+ Pogo

 

[GSmonkey]

Not normal in my experience. The rear wheel was always "solid" when tested.

 

[Speedy23]

Thanks all, looks like (another) warranty claim.....

 

[footloose]

Checked your tyre pressures lately?
A slow leak in the rear tyre of my bike lead me to check for rear drive play after an afternoons ride with wonky handling.
It wasn't down much on the normal pressure, 2.5 bar, but it made a difference for me.