08RT Final Drive

[Road Runner]

Brought the bike into Dealer for 48k service, and I was told the final drive fluid had metal in the fluid. When they took it apart to inspect, I was told Pinion bearing seized on shaft and I need a complete new unit at a cost of $2400. Does this sound normal?

[rickyD]

Normal? Definitely not. Happened before to others? For sure, from what I've heard anyway. Did the shop tell you if the final drive fluid level was adequate when they tore it down? It could have been low from a leaking seal that you didn't catch. In either case it wouldn't hurt to contact BMW NA and see if they might cut you a deal for some of the cost. Speak very nice with them, at least until they say no.

[David13]

It's not normal. But it's not unusual. In terms of the percent of bikes, I don't know. Maybe 4%, someone said.
It does seem like a lot since there are so many posted on the internet, about the failure.
And not only on the RT but also the LT and the GS.
And not limited to just certain years.
dc

Here's an 06 with 51k miles.
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthread...348#Post780348

[AntonLargiader]

.. I was told Pinion bearing seized on shaft and I need a complete new unit at a cost of $2400. Does this sound normal?

Absolutely not. Doesn't mean it isn't true, but I've repaired a LOT of final drives and I've never seen a pinion bearing seized to the shaft.

[ponch1]

Brought the bike into Dealer for 48k service, and I was told the final drive fluid had metal in the fluid. When they took it apart to inspect, I was told Pinion bearing seized on shaft and I need a complete new unit at a cost of $2400. Does this sound normal?

I think you would be experiencing issues like a leak possibly, noisy or non-functional drive. When a bearing seizes on a shaft, it usually doesn't happen without being noticed. I wonder if business is slow at the dealer.

[racer7]

This comes down to how competent is the dealership mechanic and how much do you trust them. Time in business and general reputation of the mechanic doing the work can be general guidelines here.

The specific "defect" stated is apparently rare. I believe I've read of one and if a well respected guy like Anton says he's not repaired one that failed that way, you can take that as perfect evidence of rarity.

If this were my bike I would want to see the opened drive to inspect it myself if I was being asked to spring for a new one at substantial cost. Drives are rebuildable to some extent and that can greatly reduce costs- but you need to have a shop that is comfortable doing them and has experience.

I know dealerships that don't rebuild drives, according to their service manager. Too much trouble and too little profit for them, apparently. I wouldn't be surprised if the guys who told you you need a new one fit in this category.

You can always reclaim your bike and drive and arrange to ship the FD to one of the places that does good quality rebuilds. The worst that could happen is that they agree with your dealer but I suspect it would save you a grand or more. Even buying a used one and refurbing it if needed would save a bundle.

[nplenzick]

This time last year when my bike (07 RT) was at Hermys BMW in Port Clinton, Pa. for tires the tech discovered a roughness in my final drive when he would spin the rear wheel. They rebuilt it in a day for around $600. It's been fine since. I would be suspicious of the quote you received especially if the FD didn't seize while you were riding it.

[deilenberger]

This time last year when my bike (07 RT) was at Hermys BMW in Port Clinton, Pa. for tires the tech discovered a roughness in my final drive when he would spin the rear wheel. They rebuilt it in a day for around $600. It's been fine since. I would be suspicious of the quote you received especially if the FD didn't seize while you were riding it.

Could be a different failure mode. If the large bearing on the port side fails, that can be replaced easily without even reshimming the drive. If one of the pinion bearings fails - that does require a lot of work to replace and a complete reshimming of the drive.. so in this case - the dealer is opting to replace the drive.

If it was me - I'd be looking for a good used drive..

[cowboyatheart]

Could be a different failure mode. If the large bearing on the port side fails, that can be replaced easily without even reshimming the drive. If one of the pinion bearings fails - that does require a lot of work to replace and a complete reshimming of the drive.. so in this case - the dealer is opting to replace the drive.

If it was me - I'd be looking for a good used drive..

Good advice. Should save some $$$$

[nplenzick]

Could be a different failure mode. If the large bearing on the port side fails, that can be replaced easily without even reshimming the drive. If one of the pinion bearings fails - that does require a lot of work to replace and a complete reshimming of the drive.. so in this case - the dealer is opting to replace the drive.

If it was me - I'd be looking for a good used drive..

Unless that good used FD came with a decent warranty I would have my old one rebuilt. You could be down the road a few thousand miles with the same problem.

[RoboRider]

Are you at all handy? There are threads on here documenting a rebuild and it's not too hard to do.

If you do go new, I'd like to get the old one to mess around with and would pay you to ship it to me.

[deilenberger]

Unless that good used FD came with a decent warranty I would have my old one rebuilt. You could be down the road a few thousand miles with the same problem.

Certainly a personal decision.. but getting the old one rebuilt might be a bit of a challenge, especially at the dealership level. There aren't too many mechanics who do that sort of work anymore. It's tedious and somewhat of an art to get the gear mesh correct. If it isn't correct - it's certain that it will fail again.

I've had very good luck with used parts. Checking Beemerboneyard - when they do have them in stock (looks as if they're out right now) prices range from $225-425 for a rear drive. BMW gets $1,870 for a new one. I know what route I'd go..

[deilenberger]

Are you at all handy? There are threads on here documenting a rebuild and it's not too hard to do.

There are? Link? I can't recall any on the big-hole R12 drives.. but I may well have forgotten.

[deilenberger]

I think you would be experiencing issues like a leak possibly, noisy or non-functional drive. When a bearing seizes on a shaft, it usually doesn't happen without being noticed. I wonder if business is slow at the dealer.

There are two bearings on the pinion shaft. If the inner one seized, it wouldn't effect the seal at all, and there wouldn't be any leak. I'd have to hypothesize the mechanic is determining this by (1) what they found in the oil - it might be parts of a bearing allowing them to ID it (2) the feel/noise being made (3) the construction of the drive. The inner bearing on the pinion is a needle bearing, it's possible the mechanic found bits of the needles in the oil... indicating it was that bearing.

I wouldn't be pointing a finger at the dealer based on what we have heard here.

[marchyman]

There are? Link? I can't recall any on the big-hole R12 drives.. but I may well have forgotten.

This thread on advrider shows what it takes to R&R the big bearing and the crown wheel needle bearing: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682413

Simple... if you have the band saw, lathe, and mill needed to make the special tools