Final Drive Death

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by davebig

Slipknot your not altogether wrong, but who else would take themselves this seriously, its almost a form of Narcissism mixed with "mines bigger than yours" to much time,money and now the internet were we all let the world know how important, involved,concerned we all are, and lots of us ride more than some of those other brand owners.
But hey they're alot more interesting than the engineers who all agree that the Honda VFR was the greatest motorcycle ever designed and the rest of the world would be much happier if we all owned one.DB

Jim

[Gusgus]

Originally Posted by Ganjora

illusive - an ill illusion???
elusive - the thing you can't find..
elude - to escape
elysium - state of great happiness

the elusive elydium eluded me.... and still does....

Thanks, I'll try to remember that.

[Baba Iguana]

Returning from a ~5000Km trip I noticed a high pitch wine, which at first I thought was just a tire-noise echo from the Jersey barriers. Sound gets much louder on deceleration. Drove another 250 KMs to home.

Found a lot of black fuzz on the mag plug, with some very fine silver wafers (assume peeling chromium from the balls or races). No discernible play at 6 & 9, nor roughness when rotating the wheel.

Put in fresh gear oil and did a spirited 100 Km yesterday. Whine seems louder particularly on deceleration from 100 down to 75 kph. It is hard to pin point the location of the noise with a helmet on, it seems to be emanating from the entire bike.

Checked the mag plug and once again covered with black fuzz, but this time there are much more fine silver wafers. Still no play, but I can feel roughness.

Pulled the final drive apart and the balls and races are severely spalled on the large bearing. The taper bearing appears healthy. Seals never leaked a drop.

Oh well at least its close to the end of riding season for this year.

[Waco]

Originally Posted by Baba Iguana

Returning from a ~5000Km trip I noticed a high pitch wine, which at first I thought was just a tire-noise echo from the Jersey barriers. Sound gets much louder on deceleration. Drove another 250 KMs to home.

Found a lot of black fuzz on the mag plug, with some very fine silver wafers (assume peeling chromium from the balls or races). No discernible play at 6 & 9, nor roughness when rotating the wheel.

Put in fresh gear oil and did a spirited 100 Km yesterday.

Were you expecting a fluid replacement to fix the problem?

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by Waco Kid

Were you expecting a fluid replacement to fix the problem?

Mighta been hoping it was just normal collection of fuzz over a long period of time...

[Gusgus]

Originally Posted by Waco Kid

Were you expecting a fluid replacement to fix the problem?

MAN, are you tough on the guy.
He changed the oil as any sane mechanic would have, to rate the amount of damage, it is a needed step to change the oil, re-run and check it again.

It is how I have always done after metal is found in the oil. This is required troubleshooting with aircraft engines, from Cessna 120's thru Boeing 747's. And you might have guessed it is the maintenance manuals which suggests that proceedure.

I'd bet you would have slammed him if he didn't troubleshoot it, riiight? Just tore it apart and found nothing, what a fool he would have been,,,, then.

Lighten up and allow those guys who are doing anything at all, even if it is wrong, to help others find a method to figure this shit out.

Since BMW hasn't positively addressed the loyal BMW owners troubles,we all really need to be suportive of each other, don't you think?

[Tourmeister]

Well, I'm sorry to hear your bearings went bad. I am glad to know it did not fail on you suddenly, in a curve, leaned over at 70mph and on the gas... That was exciting...

Just out of curiousity, how many miles on yours when it went? My GS only had 28K miles on it when it came apart without any warning.

[davebig]

Baba, What sort of gear lube had you been using,and how often had you changed it? Thanks, you have my sympathy.DB

[Baba Iguana]

Originally Posted by Waco Kid

Were you expecting a fluid replacement to fix the problem?

No, just a standard procedure when checking mag plugs. I wanted to be sure it was making metal, and not just normal wear.

We used the same procedure on helicopter gearboxes....if you can't read a part number on the chunk, then it'll make it back to base.

[Baba Iguana]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Mighta been hoping it was just normal collection of fuzz over a long period of time...

Correct

[Baba Iguana]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Well, I'm sorry to hear your bearings went bad. I am glad to know it did not fail on you suddenly, in a curve, leaned over at 70mph and on the gas... That was exciting...

Just out of curiousity, how many miles on yours when it went? My GS only had 28K miles on it when it came apart without any warning.

24233 miles on mine.

[Baba Iguana]

Originally Posted by davebig

Baba, What sort of gear lube had you been using,and how often had you changed it? Thanks, you have my sympathy.DB

I was using Klotz 90 Gear Oil. I have always been a fan of Klotz products and do not think it has anything to do with the failure. My log book is out in the garage, so I can't tell you the exact frequency of oil changes, but I am pedantic about all fluid changes so it would average around ever second oil change or about every 6000 miles.

The last change was the first time the fluid actually showed a colour change.

[Waco]

Originally Posted by Gusgus

MAN, are you tough on the guy.


I'd bet you would have slammed him if he didn't troubleshoot it, riiight? Just tore it apart and found nothing, what a fool he would have been,,,, then.

Lighten up and allow those guys who are doing anything at all, even if it is wrong, to help others find a method to figure this shit out.

Since BMW hasn't positively addressed the loyal BMW owners troubles,we all really need to be suportive of each other, don't you think?

What the Hell are you talking about? I asked a simple question. I didn't slam on him. Go visit Jo Momma if you want to see some slamming. Drink a beer and calm down.

[Baba Iguana]

I really didn't take any offense with his question Gus, and you are correct in identifying my troubleshooting as standard aviation procedure. Maybe we should start a SOAP program for final drives ?

I was hoping someone would pick up on that the pending bearing failure is audible before any radial play, roughness, or seal leakage. I wonder if this is unique to my case ?

Originally Posted by Gusgus

MAN, are you tough on the guy.

I'd bet you would have slammed him if he didn't troubleshoot it, riiight? Just tore it apart and found nothing, what a fool he would have been,,,, then.

Lighten up and allow those guys who are doing anything at all, even if it is wrong, to help others find a method to figure this shit out.

Since BMW hasn't positively addressed the loyal BMW owners troubles,we all really need to be suportive of each other, don't you think?

[davebig]

Originally Posted by Baba Iguana

I was using Klotz 90 Gear Oil. I have always been a fan of Klotz products and do not think it has anything to do with the failure. My log book is out in the garage, so I can't tell you the exact frequency of oil changes, but I am pedantic about all fluid changes so it would average around ever second oil change or about every 6000 miles.

The last change was the first time the fluid actually showed a colour change.

Thanks Baba, I like Klotz products also, use the 2cycle oils, and I'm a fan of straight 90w in the FDs as it more about cooling than lubing.I like Schafeffers ger lubes, but damn the Huns and they're bearing sizing from the 80's.DB

http://www.schaefferoil.com/products.html