Yikes!!!! Rear wheel almost falls off after dealer service

[rdsmith3]

Glad you are OK. It is incomprehensible that this could happen.

[iowabeakster]

Yikes

That is the reason to do (some) wrenching yourself. Like yourself I have a have a marginal case of OCD (obsessive cumpulsive disorder). More on the obsessive than the cumpulsive. No one will ever take the time to torque, re-torque, re- torque, re-torque, check, double-check, triple-check, test, re-test, re-test, ride..... better than someone like you.

take advantage of your exacting nature.

also shows the extreme improtance of a thorough pre-ride inspections. kicking the tires has its advantages!

Most importantly you walked away in good shape. Always the most important part. Glad to hear it.

[boxermania]

socalrob.....glad that you are OK......quite an experience.

I've wrenched all my life, paid for my schooling. I'n the old days if any critical maintenance was performd, brakes, tires, wheels, etc the vehicle was thoroughly tested by the mechanic and then was raised back on the lift for a second inspection.....and yes we did good work and would very seldom get any comebacks.

Of course things have changed a bit, first there is no work ethic, second anyone that can handle a screw driver or adjustable wrench can be considered a dealer mechanic.

When it comes to bikes I only have one philosophy, if I'm going to get hurt of killed it is going to be because it was my fault not because someoene else was careless with my mount.

No, I'm not advocating you do your own maintenance, you make a good point, I'm only relating what has been my experience and choosing.

Stay well............

[solitario11]

same to me on my camry! I belong to a V-STAR group and yamaha are even worst buddy! Is so bad most dont take it the dealer even for a oil change..... to think some idiot could had kill you! I take my wheels off and bring it to the dealer to replace and then I PUT THE WHEELS BACK ON. On my star they left the clutch adjuster loose so on bumper to bumper traffic the clutch wire felt like it was broken.... got stranded in the left lane in a high way with the wife also..one thing I learn is at the FIRST sign of something that dont feel right we most get off the road,,no one know better then us how is suppose to feel and ride so lets us trust our feeling and pull of the road..I waited into the wire was so loose it would not pull the clutch and on the camry I did the same,, waited into it was so bad I could not drive it! WHY? is itmacho thing? waiting it to go away? Well it does not!

[socalrob]

Well,

I had not heard from the service manager, so called him up about 1:30 this afternoon. He was at lunch, was to call me back. At 2:30 I called, he seemed a bit surprised I did. He said the bike was about done, which I thought was strange as he had told me the day before that he would go over with me everything they were going to do prior to doing it. Sort of like I was being told I would have some input on how any repair was made.

Turns out that they are replaceing, with NEW, all four wheel lug bolts. And they are going to wash the bike (detailing was the word). I do have to admit it was pretty dirty, from following a water truck on a dirt road at a horse show, along with dust from said show.

He said that the final drive is cast iron, and that the lug bolts are mild steel, so that the threads deforming on the old bolts do not mean that the threads in the final drive are in any way harmed. I would have thought that the wheel lug bolts would be fairly high rated strength wise, but not being a metalurgist, I'm out of my window of expertise. Also, the brake rotor is fine, was not really that damaged. When I inquired about the metal & damage I saw on the wheel spindle, he said that he was going to look at that (I would have thought they would look at that prior to putting the new lug bolts on, but I am not a mechanic). He also said he would look at the brake caliper. I am curious where the metal I saw hanging in the holes of the brake roter came from. About half the brake rotor was shiney steel (the other half black from use), so I am kind of surprised that does not indicate damage from the incident, but maybe what I take to be shiney steel is just a layer of aluminum ground on to it.

Well, as I sit here writing this, I just got a phone call from the dealer (not the service manager) saying that my bike is ready, so I am assuming that the wheel and brake components are all as good as new.

4 new lugs & a wash.

The good news is that I have 3 other respected BMW dealers in a decent hour's ride from home, at least 2 of which are considered excellant. Better news is that Tracie told me that the Ducati is sounding better, that even though they don't have ABS brakes at least the wheels stay on. May or may not be worth it to me to take the bike to another BMW dealer & see what they say, I doubt it would cost too much.

I suspect I should talk to the owner (I better schedule that) when I pick the bike up, all of which I'm pretty ambivalent at this time.

[NSBoarder]

The good news is that I have 3 other respected BMW dealers in a decent hour's ride from home, at least 2 of which are considered excellant. Better news is that Tracie told me that the Ducati is sounding better, that even though they don't have ABS brakes at least the wheels stay on. May or may not be worth it to me to take the bike to another BMW dealer & see what they say, I doubt it would cost too much.

I suspect I should talk to the owner (I better schedule that) when I pick the bike up, all of which I'm pretty ambivalent at this time.

I would recommend Long Beach BMW off Cherry and the 405 fwy. The guys there are old farts that been around for awhile and are really cool. If not then possibly the dealer in Orange County would possibly be a good one too.

[munchmeister]

I'd be taking it to another dealer or an independent moto repair shop right away to make sure they aren't BS'ing about the repairs, brakes, etc. I would never trust them again !!

Then I'd get my lawyer to send them a nice thank you note for "taking such good care of my client."

[Sunbeemer]

You know what they say about "assume", it makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me"!
I wouldn't assume anything when it comes to your brakes and your wheel staying on. You've only got two of those, and you need both of them!

[The Velvet Monkey]

A guy on the Advrider forum had a similar experience, although not dealer related. Evidently, he put anti-seize on his rear lugs and they worked loose. Big no-no!

Check it out--good discussion on the damage it caused to his hub, etc.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171791

[GypsyRR]

This kind of thing may be more common than we realize!

I was in my dealership today and while I was looking at gloves, the receptionist came over to the sales person in apparel and said "Gee, that guy that just came in scared me. He said his wheel came off after he had just had it serviced here!" Then they noticed me standing there and hushed the conversation. I saw the guy who came in, and he didn't come in on a stretcher, so I am assuming he was able to stop the bike before things got really bad for him too.

That's two in one week that I've heard of. Kind of scary.

[R4R&R]

Evidently, he put anti-seize on his rear lugs and they worked loose. Big no-no!

I usually use anti-seize on my bolts when I install the rear wheel. I think the problem was lack of finishing the job.

A few years ago I had the tires replaced on my Toyota pickup at Costco and I didn't even get a mile down the road and the left rear came off, passing me. I was on the entrance ramp to an interstat highway! When I called them back they seemed shocked, like it never happened before. They didn't have a clue on how to handle it or what to do next. They kept saying that they always torque the lugnuts to OEM specs. I said "not this time". I ended up having to buy some lugnuts (another tire shop was across the street from where I was stranded) and got going again. I let them deal with my wife.

Just the other day I saw a car on a major road near my house that appear to have lost a wheel, which crossed into the opposite lanes and hit another car.

[solitario11]

if I rememeber right the manual says to put NOTHING on the bolts,,just clean them with a brush maybe! they make a point of saying to put nothing on the bolts!

[jbuzbee]

If you go to the advrider.com thread I posted earlier you'll see this was the problem: anti-seize on the bolts. It changes the torque on the bolts - increases it actually - failing the metal. A very bad thing to do . . ..

[socalrob]

GypsyRR posted

This kind of thing may be more common than we realize!

I was in my dealership today and while I was looking at gloves, the receptionist came over to the sales person in apparel and said "Gee, that guy that just came in scared me. He said his wheel came off after he had just had it serviced here!"

I guess the dealer's response should be

"THEY ALL DO THAT"

Thanks Gypsy, you just made my day.

[chris]

Just bought meself a torque wrench so I can make sure I have them just right and will check them more than I bother with the oil!

[hirsty]

There have been two instances of BMW 'loose rear wheel' reported in MCN recently from the same UK dealer - I think it was in the north west, somewhere near Manchester or Preston? I think both bikes were R1100S, but can't remember.

One to watch out for I guess. My last tyre change was an emergency in the depths of rural south west Ireland - the shop we were 'recovered to' was actually a lawnmower service shop who did a few dirt bikes on the side! I was real careful checking that one over afterwards!

Hope this one works out okay for you Rob & that your bike is 'as new' - I'd also agree you should take it to another BMW dealership for an independent once-over too.

[Greybeard]

Ok, chances are you're all done with this thread so you'll never read what I have to say, but I hope you do and please know I'm not being a wise guy when I ask.....

SO, WHO'S THE DUMMY!!??

Everyone is ready to dump on the dealer and rightfully so BUT...socal, buddy, YOU didn't to a pre-trip inspection!!??

Let's take some personal responsibility here, PLEASE!

Until just a few months ago I was a truck driver ("A" CDL) and if anything like that were to happen while driving a truck, whose ass do you 'spose it'd be?

Yup, MINE.

I'M the operater of that vehicle and if I didn't do a comprehensive pre-trip inspection to catch a screwup like that I'd be out of a job and a license.

And since when do we trust other people enough to blythely leap on a TWO wheeled vehicle without so much as a "turn your head and cough" to each wheel?

It's YOUR bike, trust ONLY yourself to make sure it's right!
Imagine if you'd've been hoonin' about, mingers & such?

Stay safe, will ya?

[CycleRob]

The responsibility is 100% with the Dealer. There are people that do zero work on their bike beyond maintaining a safe oil level and checking tire pressures. They take their bike to a dealer spending a good portion of a weeks salary because they want the difficult and/or safety related jobs done by experienced professionals using expensive shop equipment and special tools. Not tightening the wheel studs is a HUGE mistake that could have killed socalrob AND his wife. A pre-ride inspection may not have been long enough to loosen lugs tightened with only a cordless drill.

The dealer realizes the seriousness of what happened and the Tech responsible is in big trouble.

[Greybeard]

" There are people that do zero work on their bike beyond maintaining a safe oil level and checking tire pressures."

Then I'll say it here; they shouldn't be on a motorcycle if even a cursory inspection is beyond their capability.
They risk their lives, the life of a passenger and worse the safety of the unsuspecting public who will be subject to the ineptitude and correctable ignorance of the bike owner.


"A pre-ride inspection may not have been long enough....."

A pre-ride inspection, especially after having major work done, takes as long as it takes, period.
Pull it over to the side of the lot out of the way and have at it!
Bring your own tools too but ask the service manager politely to show you what they did and help you check the results.
If the service manager/techs are insulted, tough!


"The dealer realizes the seriousness of what happened and the Tech responsible is in big trouble."

As well he should be, but thats hardly consolation if socalrob ends up dead for want of 2 minutes of pre-check on something as important on a bike as one of the wheels!

I agree there are times when it's impossible to be certain. Planes, trains, ships, etc. and I willingly accept that. I won't be in here snivellin' on that "it's all THEIR fault!" when I willingly accept the odds.
But to get on MY OWN bike after someone else has worked on it without so much as a glance is inexcusable.

Learn and live.

[wncbmw]

Greybeard - while I see your point, most people don't do what you suggest. Cagers need to also. How many cars you see going down the road with one tire obviously low? If everyone who drove a car or operated a motorcycle quit driving or riding if they couldn't/wouldn't do a pre-inspection, it would certainly solve the traffic congestion issues around here.

And BTW, even when I do a pre-inspection (usually), checking the lug nuts is not one of the items on my list! Although it was today, since I just reinstalled my own wheel. Also stopped down the road about 10 miles and checked them again after Rob's story!