front wheel recall

[BILL6FT6]

just bought my r100rt last year through a bmw dealership. they ran it through checks and found that the front snowflake wheel was under recall and replaced it. a little over 3k later it had a bearing failure. local mechanic fixed it (had to cut the axel to remove the bearing) my local dealership told me that they remember a recall or email on the subject of some of these new wheels leaving the factory ungreased (my case). anybody know any particulars on this
thanks
bill

[20774]

There's a standing recall for 19-inch snowflakes manufactured before 9/82 for structural problems with the spoking. I've not heard of a recall associated with non-greased bearings from the factory. What year RT?

Kurt in S.A.

[dlearl476]

Have I mistakenly walked into the wayback machine? :dunno

[cjack]

There's a standing recall for 19-inch snowflakes manufactured before 9/82 for structural problems with the spoking. I've not heard of a recall associated with non-greased bearings from the factory. What year RT?

Kurt in S.A.

I have seen a few of the snowflake wheels replaced. You can tell if you have one because of a mark (what I can't recall) and the spokes have very little webbing on them. The new wheel has considerable web.
As far as the wheel bearing goes, I have never seen or heard about any dry ones, but I guess anything can happen. There may have been a bulletin about it following the recall. If a problem does occur, it would be covered by the one year parts warranty on the new wheel. I guess one should check the bearings for grease when you install a new wheel, since they are not the sealed type.

[BILL6FT6]

lets see if i uploaded the picture correctly

[20774]

One person's information on the snowflake recall is here:

http://home.jps.net/~snowbum/19inchrecall.htm

Kurt in S.A.

[Kbrick]

Man, thats a nice rug in the garage!
Sweet RT too.

[lkchris]

Yes, replacement wheels do not necessarily arrive with bearings properly adjusted and/or greased. It's up to dealer to install correctly.

[dlearl476]

Man, thats a nice rug in the garage!
Sweet RT too.


Yes indeed. My first "modern" BMW was that exact model/color.

[Red100RT]

Bill, my '81 R100RT is identical to yours. I replaced the windscreen with a tall Perabellum and am very glad I did much better protection for me and passenger as well as smoother performance as in less battering ram affect.
Are you concerned about exhaust valve recession or has your bike had the valve seats replaced? I am thinking about having this done soon as my bike has very low miles at 2350. I did remove the air injection system as I have heard it can maybe compound warped valve/head problems. Too bad BMW doesn't build these machines today as they are sweeeeeet. :)

[dhsr756]

I picked up a new wheel still in the bag for my '82 R100CS on ebay. The bearings were installed dry from the factory. I understand this often is the case.

[gezerbike]

Nice looking bike.....I see a Cycle Werks license holder on the back. Did you purchase there and were they the ones who told you of the warranty issue ? Pretty decent of them if they did on a 24 year old bike.........

[vanzen]

http://home.comcast.net/~bmwboxer/misc/snowflake_wheel.jpg

[John Brase]

I got one of the replacement wheels under the recall and mine came with the dry, ungreased bearings. I noticed it a couple years later when the wheel was trying to lock up. The dealer (Revard, R.I.P.) had to argue with BMWNA about it but NA finally agreed to cover the replacement cost. There were indeed a batch of them that escaped the factory with dry bearings.

John

[cjack]

I got one of the replacement wheels under the recall and mine came with the dry, ungreased bearings. I noticed it a couple years later when the wheel was trying to lock up. The dealer (Revard, R.I.P.) had to argue with BMWNA about it but NA finally agreed to cover the replacement cost. There were indeed a batch of them that escaped the factory with dry bearings.

John
I think it is the dealers responsibility to check any bearings and other parts for proper fluid and grease when these parts are not sealed units. NA apparently thought so too, but contrary to some opinion, they are remarkably generous when it comes to supporting the dealers on warranty issues. They like to see customer and dealer participation in terms of adherence to service intervals and good customer comments from the dealer, but that is understandable when they are breaking their own rules and authorizing repairs after the standard warranty or user and dealer responsibilities.
I have seen them warranty a final drive on a 1986 K100RT in about the year 1999. Try that with your HonKawikii or GMC.

[BILL6FT6]

yes it was cycle works that i bought the bike from. it was part of the deal for them to give it a full service and that brought up the old recalled wheel, and they replaced it.
talking with them lately on this issue has left me lacking. "maybe" we can credit you for the parts if you send them to us. noway on recovering the labor. i guess they blow me off knowing i won't be a steady customer getting service. you break down far away from a dealership and they say the warranty is only good if a dealership did the repair. what do you think of that policy?

bill

[bmwcycle1]

Last year, I had the front wheel of my '81 R100RT replaced by a dealer, as per the recall notice. Immediately after the wheel swap, I and two other bikers took off for Virginia. After we rode the "Tail of the Dragon", I had about 1000 miles on the new wheel. Fortunately, I noticed a major, and extremely dangerous problem. The wheel bearing had FAILED. It had seized on the axle, which in turn spun on the fork legs, destroying them.
Inspection showed there was no grease, I am lucky to be alive. I was forced to trailer the cycle back to NY at great expense. The dealer warranteed the repair, but BMW America refused to cover any of the costs to the dealer or me.

[lkchris]

The dealer warranteed the repair, but BMW America refused to cover any of the costs to the dealer or me.

Yes, BMWNA should expect dealer to inspect for proper grease in bearing and correct adjustment.

When you get a new hub for your car or truck do you suppose it comes pregreased and ready to just bolt on? Is that what you would do?

If the bearings in a wheel in parts stock were greased, the grease would at some time melt a bit an run out and foul the storage area as well as the wheel paint job.

TOTALLY a dealer problem.