Rusty spoke nuts.

[Bigtrucknuts]

My spoke nuts have gone rusty on a well looked after GS LC 2013

Question is, given there covered under the corrosion warranty, would they replace the wheels? Just as an aside I don't even know how stainless steel nuts that are never touched by a Allen key even go rusty after 14 months. And during last winter this bike was not used at all.

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

Blimy, just me had this problem?

 

[snaponphil]

Just collected my 2014 gs WC from the dealers for a bit of warranty repair, the rear wheel spoke inner hub nuts have started to rust through the anodising (or whatever coating is on the nipples) but it's left spidery trails creeping under the lacquer of the hub... Pictures going off to BMW for evaluation.. So, no, ur not alone...

 

[Bendy toy]

Exactly what I was on about when hexhead owners were talking about rebuilding wire wheel with powder coated rims.
Stainless to aluminium electrolytic corrosion.


Sent from a widget that can't spell.

 

[snaponphil]

Update, the nipple heads seem to have corroded through the anodising, then spread to creep under the lacquer/pain finish on my early 2014 GS WC..
Had a phone call from dealers in Notts saying they had got authorisation from BMW to fit a new rear wheel.. (Not sure if they aren't doing the front as well) expected but happy..
So love the bike..

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

I had a chat with one of the service fellas at my dealer. We basically came to the conclusion that I should see what there like after this winter. I use the bike every day all year round. It will still be under warrenty so make a dessition about it then.

I did think about getting an alloy pare of wheels for the winter but at basically a grand that's a little extreme. I don't want to swap to alloys permanently I like the spokies.

 

[snaponphil]

I'm thinking they have already changed the anodising on the spoke nuts, must cost a few ££ to change wheels under warranty..

I'll get the new wheels & acf50 them before they're fitted..

 

[birdseye]

My spoke nuts have gone rusty on a well looked after GS LC 2013

Question is, given there covered under the corrosion warranty, would they replace the wheels? Just as an aside I don't even know how stainless steel nuts that are never touched by a Allen key even go rusty after 14 months. And during last winter this bike was not used at all.

There are dozens of varieties of stainless steel and they all have different levels of corrosion resistance as well as different uses. For example your razor blades are martensitic stainless ( ie the 400 series) and they rust quite rapidly but this grade is chosen because you can harden it and it will take an edge. Ordinary austenitic stainless steel wont take an edge and is pretty soft in most applications.

Quite what grade BMW use for wheel spoke nuts I do not know but the mechanical properties of the steel will matter given the useage so it could well be one of the less corrosion resistant grades. Add into the equation that the rims are likely aluminium so you could also get electrolytic corrosion dues to dissimilar metals.

Lots of shampoos and washing up liquids contain salts so if like me you are a cheepy and use SWMBOs washing up liquid to occasionally clean the bike, you could be leaving it open to corrosion as much as if it was used on salted winter roads.

 

[Tarka]

Nuts to nuts...they're called spoke nipples.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Nuts to nuts...they're called spoke nipples.

Yeah, I'd rather play with nipples than nuts any day.

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

Personally I like keep both my nipples and clean.

But no I haven't been using washing up liquid, how very dare you even suggest such a thing!

That have only gone a bit. I confess I did think the steel would be pretty impervious. I'm going to try one of the chemical treatments then GT85 them.

 

[snaponphil]

My worst 'nipples' are the ones hidden behind the rear hub, can't even see them till the rear wheel comes off..
But what a great bike.. Love it...

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I had a chat with one of the service fellas at my dealer. We basically came to the conclusion that I should see what there like after this winter. I use the bike every day all year round. It will still be under warrenty so make a dessition about it then

I would suggest you ask them to make a warranty claim now and not after the next winter

There was a post some time ago when a similar conclusion was drawn between the owner of a corroding 1200 GS and his supplying dealer to run the bike through the winter only to have BMW reject the claim

If it's corroding now it will not get any better. Get your dealer to submit a claim now and not next year

 

[Bigtrucknuts]

Rejected because he waited?
That doesn't make any sence.
Corrosion is covered or it is not for the period of the warrenty. When I make a clame on that warrenty is up to me and not relevant to the claim.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

IIRC it was rejected because the corrosion caused consequential damage to another component which could have been avoided if the corroded item had been replaced when initially spotted. It'd be just like your spoke nipples corroding your hub assembly. Like you, he was advised by his dealer to hang on until the bike was just about to go out of the manufacturers warranty period before making a claim. However, BMW rejected his whole claim!

You can request a claim be submitted anytime you like but you must remember that it is up to BMW whether or not they accept it. If BMW say "No" then maybe your dealer will pay for the repair for you? Who knows?

After over 20 years in the motor trade working in a service environment I've pretty much seen and heard it all. I just reckon you would be better advised to get them replaced now rather than wait

It's your bike, so it's your call

PS Can you confirm if you DO or DO NOT ride your bike through the winter as posts 1 & 6 contradict each other