Final drive bearing/shaft splines

[challey]

There have been quite a number of postings on the BMWMOA forum on premature wear & failure (@25 - 35k miles) of both final drive support bearings and drive shaft splines. Most of the bikes seem to be Rs.

Is there anything to this? Is there any preventative maintenance that can help?

[Airman]

There have been quite a number of postings on the BMWMOA forum on premature wear & failure (@25 - 35k miles) of both final drive support bearings and drive shaft splines. Most of the bikes seem to be Rs.

Is there anything to this? Is there any preventative maintenance that can help?

I don't recall ever hearing of that type of failure on this forum. Are you sure they were talking about the R1150R ? I know the care of the splines and seals is a concern on airheads.

[houndog]

I am having a leaking problem with my final drive now on my Rock. I just passed 30,000. I haven't got it to a mechanic just yet. I am afraid of the cost.
Tommy

[ProductUser]

There were some discussions on this board some time ago re this issue, but I have not herd of a spline issue for a very long time on this board. Now, there are some lengthy discussions on this topic on the bmwst.com site.

It is important to keep in mind that when problems do surface, message boards are pretty much the first place people go for information. Thus, this may indicate a greater problem that may actually exist. This is just my observation.

My '04 R has just turned 43k miles, and I have had zero problems. I also tour with this bike, so it's loaded to the top with gear.

ProductUser

[challey]

There were 2 relatively recent posts on the BMWMOA forum, one about the final drive support bearing failure and one about splines. several others chimed in on both issues. One posted suggested the the bearing issue was one that BMW knows about and upgraded the part (was not clear to me what year the cut in was). Several other posters confirmed that they too had had problems with the spline - with one lamenting that his dealer charged him ~$700 to lube the part as part of a PM plan.

As ProductUser says, it is difficult to judge the extent of the problem from post on message boards where the bad news spreads like wildfire. I also remember some discussion on this board a while back about the spline issue.

I'm only at 13k on my '03, so hopefully the problem, if it does exist, is a way off for me.

[beemerphile]

I am having a leaking problem with my final drive now on my Rock. I just passed 30,000. I haven't got it to a mechanic just yet. I am afraid of the cost.
Tommy

Doesn't have to be. If it is the crown bearing it is not an expensive fix if you get it before it trashes the gears. Do you have play in the rear wheel when it is on the centerstand? Have you found fragments on the drain plug magnet? Don't wait on this one! - Lee

[chris]

Have you found fragments on the drain plug magnet? Don't wait on this one! - Lee

The drain plug is magnetic?

[beemerphile]

Have you found fragments on the drain plug magnet? Don't wait on this one! - Lee

The drain plug is magnetic?

On the final drive, yes it is. - Lee

[fnfalman]

I talk to an extremely competent BMW mechanic and he said that the spline issue is likely due to worn out shocks that cause the Paralever to not align properly.

[Arbreacames]

I talk to an extremely competent BMW mechanic and he said that the spline issue is likely due to worn out shocks that cause the Paralever to not align properly.

Cogito panton vos audite - Think about what you hear

[beemerphile]

I talk to an extremely competent BMW mechanic and he said that the spline issue is likely due to worn out shocks that cause the Paralever to not align properly.

Someone feed you heap much bull. - Lee

[wncbmw]

Mine is leaking. The dealer saw it for the 18K service, (although all they did was the ABS brake check, I did the rest) and I asked them to look at it. They did only a very quick check and said it could be minor or major, they both look like the same leak! Reassuring, huh?

Anyway, I am only about 1200 miles from the 24K service now and as they suggested, will schedule the final drive and indeed the entire tranny, to be checked at that time. (Again, after I do most of the other work! )

It will be looked at to my satisfaction before it goes off warranty! Fortunately, when I bought it used, the BMW financial deal also included an extended warranty, good until next May.

[iowabeakster]

if it is the splines. i would recommend the Honda sythetic spline lube. the "old-wingers" swear by the stuff.

[beemerphile]

if it is the splines. i would recommend the Honda sythetic spline lube. the "old-wingers" swear by the stuff.

That would be the Moly 60 paste. Very good stuff, but the BMW shop is not likely to use it. They used to spec Staburags 30 PTM but now I think they use ole #10 red grease. Seems like a step backwards to me. I'd use Honda Moly 60 or Nickel based antisieze it it were mine. - Lee

[jm1515]

This is what I've used on all my past shaft drives, splines and any other critical mating surfaces where high rpm and or heat is a concern....


http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PART ... A=505-1197

It's 65% Moly and reasonably priced. If/when I do a spline lube for the output splines and FD area, this is what will go on.

[Valueman]

I was cleaning my bike up last night and noticed mine is leaking as well. (2004 Model. 22,000 miles) I've got about three weeks left on the warranty. I called the dealer, and I am leaving now to take it to him.

VM

[challey]

OK, all these responses have elevated my anxiety level and triggered the following questions:
How difficult is it to do the spline lube?
What milage would you typically do such a lube?
Are there any instructions along the lines of the OVAD available?

[beemerphile]

Don't confuse all the leaking final drives with spline lubes. The most common final drive issue is the crown bearing. When it is going, the seal will often leak. It can be detected by metal on the drain magnet or by play in the rear wheel. Both are easy to check.

The spline lube thing is more difficult. BMW removed spline lube as a routine maintenance procedure, but some people suggest that you still need to do it every 35-40K miles. Lots of the ones failing though are failing under that and lots of splines are running way over that with no issue and no lubrication. Seems more like an initial alignment thing to me.

I used to do the splines on my Airheads at 20K regardless. I don't know if I am going to do routine spline lubes on the 1150R yet or not. It is a pretty major piece of work although it's really just nuts and bolts. Take a look at an oilhead with the transmission out and decide if you want to take it on. Good way to bond with your machine I guess. I used to enjoy having the Airheads apart in my hands.

Lee

[jon pierce]

It is important to keep in mind that when problems do surface, message boards are pretty much the first place people go for information. Thus, this may indicate a greater problem that may actually exist. This is just my observation.


ProductUser

You are absolutely right!! Mechanics are the same as the police.........think about it. Mechanics (besides general servicing) only fix broken things...............they never tell you what is good, only what they have to fix. The police are the same, they never get called out to a house because the husband has bought red roses for his wife and is currently enjoying a nice piece of homemade pie - of course not!! The police will always tell you that there is a drugs problem etc (but never a pie problem :-))

[iowabeakster]

me personally, if the final drive is leaking, i would take care ASAP. But since getting to the splines is such a major task, i would wait until it failed entirely.

but you asked about preventative maintenance oringinally, and the thread got kinda hijacked by people who are already beyond the "preventative" stage.

so i guess you can do a spline lube if you are that worried about it, plus changing the final drive oil regularly are about all you can do for prevention.