04 R1150RT Transmission Binding during Downshifting

[73516]

Members - HELP!!!!

My 04 RT has been randomly binding while downshift. I've had our local dealer look at it and they couldn't get it to replicate in the short test drive they took. They contacted BMW's service rep/tech. and they wouldn't authorize the dealer to open it up to see what is going on.

I would like to hear from members that have a transmission binding problem with their RT. The dealer asked my to collect the following data from those person that have had problems:

Dealers name and location where service
Problem you were having
The last 7 digits of your VIN

I believe this is a serious issue that BMW is turing their head on.

Thanks

jpatrick1@tampabay.rr.com
727.697.3399

[username]

what is "binding?" your rear wheel locks up and you skid?

[73516]

No the binding is in the transmission, not allowing you to make the downshift

[corbster]

How often does it happened?
Do you need to double pump the clutch???
Does it happened in Up shift?

How many miles on your 2004 RT?

:brow
CB

[soffiler]

Is anybody thinking "clutch spline lube" ?

[BobUlrich]

You betcha!

My '00 RT started acting up at around 22K.

[73516]

Corbster

It does it randomly, however, it does do it virtually each time I ride. Primarily, when you are in a mide range gear with increasing throttle, and need to de-excelerate, close the throttle, and attempt making a downshift, and there you are, bound. It will release with a "blimp" of the throttle, or "double clutch" the clutch.

Appears there are numerous owners that are affected, but few that have had dealers repair it under warranty. Most seem to be living with it........

jgp

[corbster]

did you lube the spline and bleeding the clutch fluid...???
how many miles on your bike?

:brow
CB

[gec343]

I have a 04 Special Edition RT, 25K. Periodically, it binds during downshifting from sixth to fifth gears. The bike has been at the dealers for the last two weeks for leaking oil seals (shaftdrive), and they are also going to check the transmission problem. Excellent dealer & I expect that they will find the problem. :stick :usa

[aaaaaa]

I hate to be a bummer but my '04 had the same problem. The bike was under warranty and the dealer told me "nothing wrong here". Turned out to be toasted input shaft splines. They really had limited choices when the bike was towed to them. :wow
mes regrets,
robert

[73516]

Corbster

The binding occurs virtually every time I ride. Double pumping the clutch makes it go away, as does "blipping" the throttle. It upshifts perfectly. It has 15.6K

gec 343

can you provide me the name of your dealer that is doing the repair? Also, your last 7 digits on your vin. My local dealer would like to have this information so he can assist me in getting BMW of the won't repair line.

thanks to both of you

Jim

[73516]

aaaaaa

Can you please provide me the last 7 digits of your vin number, along with the name and location of the dealer that is repairing you RT. I need this data to help my dealer deal with BMW and their refusal to repair it.

thanks

jpatrick1@tampabay.rr.com

[gec343]

After three weeks, I finally have me 04 R1150RT back. Stripped bolt in transmission, new transmission case, all seals, spline lube, etc. On the way home (about 20 miles) I could not get the bike from second to third. After pulling off the road, I went through the gears again and it worked perfectly. A couple of days later it did the same thing again, would not go from second to third. I'll be taking it back this week. Any ideas out there? I turned 24k on the way home from the dealer. The warranty runs out in December, :usa

[CTHalk]

I experienced the exact same symptom on my R1100RT-P that had only 40K on it when I bought it. I reported it right away to the dealer, and was told 'spline issues don't happen on oilheads'. I took the bike apart to do the spline lube, and discovered I needed way more than that. After much back and forth discussion, they sold me a remanufactured box at a discount below dealer cost. It was the right thing for them to do, and I will not bad-mouth them. Did your bike come with a warranty? If so, proceed IMMEDIATELY to the shop to have them take the bike apart and lube the spline. A sticking shifter could cause you to have an ACCIDENT which your lawyer would be all over if the dealer had refused to make your bike safe. Insist that you get to see the bike while it is apart so you can see the splines on the tranny, and the clutch. If there is any wear on either, insist that they replace it. A 'good' transmission will have nice smooth splines with no wear, ridges, deformaties etc. They either last forever, or wear badly and quickly. I added the capitalized text for emphasis, I have talked with a few owners who had bad splines, and there was usually reluctance by their dealer to inspect and service based on the owner reporting 'shifting problems'. Most were told 'you don't know how to shift a BMW properly'. That's what I was also told. Arm yourself with printouts from this and other forums where this problem is discussed in detail. Good luck! Here is a link to my picture site, showing my splines....what you DON"T want to see on your bike. http://halkct.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php

[gec343]

The mechanic who worked on the bike told me that the spline was dry and rusty and that cleaned and greased it very well. I have not spoke with the mechanica agin since pick up, so will see what he says. I rode about 100 miles today without any problem.

[will3hawks]

I suggest a change of transmission oil to a synthetic as well as a spline lube and clutch adjustment.

Bear in mind that BMW is infamous for blaming the customer whenever anything doesn't work on their bikes/cars. In the 70's I worked in an independent shop and we saw their M30 engined six cylinder cars repeatedly coming in with cracked cylinder heads due to the fact that the thermal reactors they were using in leiu of catalytic converters were causing them to overheat and do damage. It literally took a class action suit to make BMW do the right thing and then the arrogant bastards refused to admit fault. My advice is to try the obvious (paragraph 1-and don't forget to rev the engine when you downshift); if that doesn't work, let them know that you'd be happy to go public with your complaint if they don't work with you.

Regards,

Will

[Boingo]

Is anybody thinking "clutch spline lube" ?

Absolutely!

My 2000 R1100R at 43k had the exact same problem downshifting. After lubing, all was good.