Replacement final drive bearings. How long should they last?

MIKE R

MIKE R

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The large final drive bearing had to be replace at 36k. They then failed (fitted by a BMW trained mechanic) failed after 7.5k :eek:

This could have been the result of a faulty bearing, or poor fitting :nenau.


I'm just curious, what sort of mileage have GSers out there done on replacement final drive bearings :tarka.

Cheers

Mike
 
Bearing failures are always due to

1. excessive load
2. lack of correct lubrication
3.Incorrectly specified bearing type for the application
4. incorrect alignment
5.Fatigue
very distant 6th. manufacturing error

1, 2 and 4 are presumed not to have changed. ...... that only leaves 3 and 4 :augie
 
i had a bearing go after 4000 miles i then delved deeper into the bevel box and found the small bearing on the end of the input shaft was failing and this caused the big crown wheel bearing to fail again after a complete rebuild it is now problem free after 6000miles:thumb2
 
The bearing should be re shimmed after replacement to ensure correct pre load. Was this done? If not you risk premature bearing failure.

This advice was given to me by http://www.scriminger.co.uk/

I hear that many BM dealer technicians do not know of this procedure, but that is heresay.
 
Original bearing failed at 26,000 miles. I bought the genuine parts from BMW at a cost of about £30.

Did the job myself simply using the original shims and it now has 55,000+ miles with no problems yet..........................!
 
I had the same trouble- my original FD bearing went at 32k- replaced it myself and it lasted 4k. Got Roy Gardner to do it after that and it lasted about 6k before it started rumbling again and had loads of roughness in it. I trust Roy so know he didn't mess it up.

One thing he did say is that the outer race can spin in the casing if there is a problem with the casing- he did say this was rare though but not unheard of.

Finally got a 2nd hand one from Sherlocks- 5k later and no problems. Still got the original lying around in the garage if someone fancies it and wants to try and rebuild it.
 
Bronco Billy said:
The bearing should be re shimmed after replacement to ensure correct pre load. Was this done? If not you risk premature bearing failure.

This advice was given to me by http://www.scriminger.co.uk/

I hear that many BM dealer technicians do not know of this procedure, but that is heresay.
Click to expand...

:rob:rob:rob
This is where I am coming from

haydw said:
I had the same trouble- my original FD bearing went at 32k- replaced it myself and it lasted 4k. Got Roy Gardner to do it after that and it lasted about 6k before it started rumbling again and had loads of roughness in it. I trust Roy so know he didn't mess it up.
Click to expand...

:rob:rob:rob
and my replacement failed at7.5K!

Mike
 
I had the final drive bearing in my 1150gs replaced when it went in Italy this year, and the (BMW approved) dealer told me it was warranted by BMW for two years. No mention of mileage.
 
the shims are there to take up the machining difference of the housing to give correct mesh of the input and crown gear if the same bearing is used you are v unlikely to need re shimming in fact bmw uk do not stock any of the shim sizes. check for post on how to fit the bearing. crown gear in the freezer overnight then heat the bearing a la steptoe fit bearing done. most bearing faliures can be traced to fitting :beerjug:
 
My final drive bearing and oil seal went about 3 weeks ago, had it repaired by dealer, rode into Europe and its started weeping:confused:

its off back today to be checked, will update when i get it back
 
Steptoe said:
The procedure has a chapter in the factory workshop manual. :nenau
Click to expand...

Is it near the back ...... ? .......if so they probably get fed up reading the manual before they get to it .. :D ( I did say heresay), Oi did you hear me you you daft old sod?!
 
ciderman gs said:
the shims are there to take up the machining difference of the housing to give correct mesh of the input and crown gear if the same bearing is used you are v unlikely to need re shimming in fact bmw uk do not stock any of the shim sizes. check for post on how to fit the bearing. crown gear in the freezer overnight then heat the bearing a la steptoe fit bearing done. most bearing faliures can be traced to fitting :beerjug:
Click to expand...

wot he says.

crown wheel paly is in the region of 6-8 thou , while bearing width tolerances are in the region of tenths of thou.
therefore the same shims will be used on new bearings and still give the correct backlash.
Anyone charging you for 'shimming' is having you on.
 
motomartin said:
therefore the same shims will be used on new bearings and still give the correct backlash.
.
Click to expand...

Thats supposing the underpaid turk assembling the unit at the factory can be arsed to get it right in the first place and wasn't hungover on that particular day. :augie
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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