Final Drive Death

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by tagesk

No big deal.

[TaSK]

Wut?

What if you had to be back at work in less than two days? what if you were crossing the Atacama desert?

[(none)]

Looks like the input shaft seal to the FD might also be leaking

[TomDac]

last year when I got my 6K mile service, they noticed the pinion bearing "had some play" and recommended I get it replaced before it fails... I inquired just how much play and would it be wise to replace it right away.. They said it could probably wait till next year.. So, I just got it replaced over the weekend.. No failure (thankfully) but still $500 I didn't want to spend.. Grrrr.

Hopefully it'll be fine for many more miles and I won't ever have to worry about it.

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by Anorak

Wut?

What if you had to be back at work in less than two days? what if you were crossing the Atacama desert?

No big deal FOR ME IN THE CURRENT SITUATION.
If I was in a desert I would have brought a bearing, a seal and a puller.

As it is, I rode to the nearest town, pulled into a hotel, had an excellent dinner, and am now
waiting for the parts to arrive.
No big deal.

I am in no way condoning the design of the FD!

[TaSK]

[tagesk]

Originally Posted by (none)

Looks like the input shaft seal to the FD might also be leaking

Might be, but everything was severely spreyed with oil so it is hard to tell.

Thank you for alerting me; I'll clean it and keep an eye on it.

[TaSK]

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by tagesk

No big deal FOR ME IN THE CURRENT SITUATION.
If I was in a desert I would have brought a bearing, a seal and a puller.

As it is, I rode to the nearest town, pulled into a hotel, had an excellent dinner, and am now
waiting for the parts to arrive.
No big deal.

I am in no way condoning the design of the FD!

[TaSK]

That is the attitude of an adventurer! Even break downs are part of the adventure, so why not go with it?

Jim

[StYd]

Mine too. My sister actually noticed the grinding noise on a lunch ride. No wheel play, top to bottom or side to side, but a noticeable grinding noise on rotation. Got the drive apart, and the bevel gear inner bearing is toast. Got all the bearings and seals on order, and am hoping they dont take too long to get here. About 300$ in parts.

[rinho]

first of all, I don't know all technical word for all these parts...

Mine fails (2 years ago) because the inner part of the bearing on the of the pinion had slide a little bit and had started to grind the diff case (I was told if happens frequently)
Resulting in an oil pollution and the bearings "beginning of the end"
However I was able to ride several hundred KM without being worried

Leak appears right after a highly muddy weekend (GS Challenge)...
Maybe the leak had nothing related to the diff "on his way" failure, but at least it helps me see it before it turn into drama.

I replaced the part myself, but I bring the diff to be adjusted by a BMW mecanic master.
IMHO, the preload adjustment is the key to have the diff lasts long.
I even think the preload should be re-adjusted during the bearing life

[Anorak]

Originally Posted by StYd

Mine too. My sister actually noticed the grinding noise on a lunch ride. No wheel play, top to bottom or side to side, but a noticeable grinding noise on rotation. Got the drive apart, and the bevel gear inner bearing is toast. Got all the bearings and seals on order, and am hoping they dont take too long to get here. About 300$ in parts.

It's all part of the adventure. Why not go with it?

Because it's trouble and expense you shouldn't have to deal with.

[def]

Originally Posted by rinho

first of all, I don't know all technical word for all these parts...

Mine fails (2 years ago) because the inner part of the bearing on the of the pinion had slide a little bit and had started to grind the diff case (I was told if happens frequently)
Resulting in an oil pollution and the bearings "beginning of the end"
However I was able to ride several hundred KM without being worried

Leak appears right after a highly muddy weekend (GS Challenge)...
Maybe the leak had nothing related to the diff "on his way" failure, but at least it helps me see it before it turn into drama.

I replaced the part myself, but I bring the diff to be adjusted by a BMW mecanic master.
IMHO, the preload adjustment is the key to have the diff lasts long.
I even think the preload should be re-adjusted during the bearing life

I agree...if the preload is set correctly and lubrication is maintained, a FD failure probability is dramatically reduced.

[rinho]

Originally Posted by def

I agree...if the preload is set correctly and lubrication is maintained, a FD failure probability is dramatically reduced.

Right, and that's why I change the diff oil when doing the engine oil... to check and be sure the oil is not contaminated

[Enprize]

Originally Posted by tagesk

No big deal FOR ME IN THE CURRENT SITUATION.
If I was in a desert I would have brought a bearing, a seal and a puller.

As it is, I rode to the nearest town, pulled into a hotel, had an excellent dinner, and am now
waiting for the parts to arrive.
No big deal.

I am in no way condoning the design of the FD!

[TaSK]

Pullers are nice, as you can see from my photos I had to chisel mine off half way down the copper canyon! Next time I carry a puller too.

[MotoPerro]

On two oilheads with ~70K combined no failures yet, but it's always in the back of my mind. I bought BMW so that I would NOT have these types of failures. Lately, I've been re-thinking the simplicity of the chain. Chains typically don't just fail and leave you stranded. You get plenty of opportunity while cleaning and lubricating to inspect sprockets and chain for wear. If you don't take preventive action, then shame on you (or me!). Just MHO.

[kubiak]

Originally Posted by MotoPerro

On two oilheads with ~70K combined no failures yet, but it's always in the back of my mind. I bought BMW so that I would NOT have these types of failures. Lately, I've been re-thinking the simplicity of the chain. Chains typically don't just fail and leave you stranded. You get plenty of opportunity while cleaning and lubricating to inspect sprockets and chain for wear. If you don't take preventive action, then shame on you (or me!). Just MHO.

i always thought if they had a belt drive on the gs that would be nice, they would have to enclose it somehow though to keep debris out. then just carry a spare belt if it ever needed one.