Drive shaft bearing failure????what's up with only 37K?

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Bumper
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Drive shaft bearing failure????what's up with only 37K?

Post by Bumper »

:lol: :mrgreen: Greetings the Real RR folks. I am a newbee and am excited to learn of your site. Maybe someone with lots of Beemer Brains can share some insight. I just took my wife's '04 R1150R for investigation into a squeak screaming out of the drive shaft, front end. Beemer mechanics isolated the problem and it is a worn bearing. I am suspicious. Should I be? My '02 GS with 95K has never said a word to me from that particular point. the bike has 37 K and has been well maintained. I am thinking that the lowered suspension may be the culprit. Lots of pennies for your wisdoms. Thanks
Bumper
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suzuki
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Re: Drive shaft bearing failure????what's up with only 37K?

Post by suzuki »

Dont know what to say besides things do fail. They are machines. I have 35,000 on my 04 and no problems. Knock on wood !!!
Just got back from the ralley (6,061miles 2 up and overloaded and no problems besides the AZ state patrol ) and talk to at least 20 R1150R owners with 50,000 + miles with nothing to complain about. And just as many R1150GS owners. But again if you read this forum long enough the1150R's should ALL be recalled. Again they are machines and machines do fail. Or should I say a bad part and then the machine fails.
Welcome my friends, welcome to the machine. Were have you been ? Thats alright we know where you've been ! (the internet)
boxermania
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Re: Drive shaft bearing failure????what's up with only 37K?

Post by boxermania »

Welcome aboard

One of the unerving things of the brand are the unexplained failures with no pre-emptive causes. As someone trained and working in the failure analysis world the only thing that comes to mind is that BMW has been using a variety of suppliers with limited QA/QC control. You are correct, there is no reason for a FD bearing to fail at that mileage if the design, quality of the component and proper maintenance have been exercised.

Lowering the bike has nothing to do with the failure so set your mind at ease. BTW, CycleRob has an excellent post with pics on the subject and has come up most rcently on the R1150R or the Rockster forum, check it out.

Hope you can get past the setback and get her back on the road.
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CycleRob
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Re: Drive shaft bearing failure????what's up with only 37K?

Post by CycleRob »

Bumper, Did they specify "rear transmission output shaft bearing" or "front drive shaft bearing" = the U-Joint bearing(s). Either way it is going to be $$$.

Another serious, expensive to fix, FD problem that should never happen.
It's the main reason I am riding the bike listed below.
`09 F800ST

Member since Sept 10, 2001

"Talent, On Loan, From God" --Rush Limbaugh--
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