Signs of another FD Fail??

[PaulW21781]

Hi all...

Well, I need to ask this, as it's bugging me now... And it's my bloody bike too

Basically, past few days, I've noticed the bike feels a little looser than normal around corners, changing gear when releasing the clutch there is a more noticeable "thud", and also some oil splodges have appeared on the rear mudguard, swingarm, and ESA/Shock plastic cover thing...

Holding the wheel at 3 and 9, and pulling/pushing, I can feel a noticeable "clunk" and also hear the same, yet I can't see much, if any, play (maybe I'm not that good sighted, who knows...)

Some pics of the oil on the guard & shock/esa/swingarm

Only had it since last September, done just shy of 10k miles so far too...

So... FD fail symptoms?? Worth getting checked out?? Any chance of getting a courtesy bike from BMW while it's being checked/investigated by the dealer as the bike is my only form of transport and I have a 75-mile a day commute to work??

Answers on a postcard please

 

[VAL. H.]

to check for play you need to hold the wheel top and bottom and then pull the top whilst pushing the bottom and visa-versa 1mm at the rim is so say ok any more you need to get it sorted.

Look at the FD closely both on the outsid where the plastic ring is and between the rear calliper/disc and the inside of the FD 'the black part'. Have a look at the underside or the rear brake calliper too.

If you have a leak big enough to probuce those spots, you will easily see where the oil is comming from.

If your bike is still under warranty you shouldn't have a problem re a loan bike. However is it's no longer under warranty, don't wast your money at BMW. There are guys on here who will rebuild your FD for £300ish. BMW will only replace the outer seal (quite cheep) or the whole FD and that will be around £900


Val.

 

[PaulW21781]

I've done both 12-6 and 3-9 and both do the clunk with the feel of movement. Bike should definitely be under warranty, bought it new last September and it's only done 10k lol!

Will have a proper look though when it's daylight tomorrow, especially around the areas you mentioned, cheers!

 

[Sprocket]

No oil spatters from my FD fails, but looks similar to a blown rear shock, which was a "feature" of many 2008 bikes.

 

[PaulW21781]

I'll have a proper look at it thismorning, it's a 2010 with ESA.

 

[stever1]

can you hear anything unusual ?. if the bearing is a roller bearing, and is worn,it may make a wow wow wow noise. try it at about 50-60ish and pull the clutch in then listen.

 

[Monty]

Oil spattering like that could easily be the ESA shock has popped. A world of exciting options.

 

[Georgeeboi]

queu RASHER..........let him have it.

 

[jasper]

Hi Paul
If its any help my rear shock went on my 2010 gs after about 4000 miles. All the oil ended up in a puddle under the bike.
Got it fixed under warrenty, apparently failures are typical on 2010 bikes, they have now replaced suppliers !!!
Cheers

 

[Rasher]

queu RASHER..........let him have it.

Waiting for all the facts to come in, sounds like it would be expensive whatever it is, good job the bike is under warranty.

I really do hope it is not the FD, as if the 2010 ones are still shite it will guarantee my next bike won't be another GS.

I am genuinely hoping the 2010 models are better made as so far I have not found a bike that comprehensively beats the GS as an allrounder out of the box.

Crap shocks don't bother me as I would throw my Wilburs on the bike anyway, and I can live with a crap fuel gauge (or buy a GSA knowing it will go further than my arse could ever survive on a tank)

 

[skywalker]

Waiting for all the facts to come in, sounds like it would be expensive whatever it is, good job the bike is under warranty.

I really do hope it is not the FD, as if the 2010 ones are still shite it will guarantee my next bike won't be another GS.

I am genuinely hoping the 2010 models are better made as so far I have not found a bike that comprehensively beats the GS as an allrounder out of the box.

Crap shocks don't bother me as I would throw my Wilburs on the bike anyway, and I can live with a crap fuel gauge (or buy a GSA knowing it will go further than my arse could ever survive on a tank)

Christ is this an admission of actually liking what you've got ?
Nope !! reading the rest of the post you've still managed to get a slight dig in.
There's been nothing out there since its launch in 2004 thats managed to put so many smiles on folks faces like the GS does.

 

[Rasher]

Christ is this an admission of actually liking what you've got ?
Nope !! reading the rest of the post you've still managed to get a slight dig in.
There's been nothing out there since its launch in 2004 thats managed to put so many smiles on folks faces like the GS does.

I have always said I love riding the bike, it is just that it appears a huge number suffer horrible failures, and on this forum many of those smiles are wiped out by exploding FD's or blown FPC's on an almost daily basis.

If BMW can get the FD's to reliably outlast a chain that would be a great start, sort out the stupid quality issues (like fit decent FPC's and Fuel Gauges) and I would be very interested in a new GS.

 

[PaulW21781]

Well took it down to Southport Superbikes yesterday to get looked at and the shock replaced. They fitted a nice new shock on the rear and when I asked how bad the old one was, they said "f%$#@d" lol! New shock is quite a bit different in how it looks at the top. Also the plastic crud guard actually covers the full length of the shock unlike the previous one! But the bike does feel 100x better and so much more stable on the road! Happy days

 

[Pukmeister]

Nice photos, that bike is a credit to you.

Perhaps worth investing in a crud catcher to protect the new rear shock ?

 

[Rusty Bolts]

Woosh woosh wow wow. Yes I have it. I didn't notice it until i fitted my airlow screen and laterly a new quieter rear tyre. I know that the tourance makes a noise like a land rover but after fitting an exp the woosh has become audible. I fear a trip to the dealers is in the offing