Zero Knievel Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 7 hours ago, blackhawkxx said: Sometimes it's good to be in the group of one. 😉 Carlos is doing the best he can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 22 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: You do that and you risk the first warning is the driveshaft shearing. These failures are a big enough of an issue that while BMW doesn’t have a service interval for it, owners encourage each other to check it every couple years and replace if there are doubts. Is the issue that the U joint wears out or something else? My Motoguzzi had an 'unserviceable' u joint; the suggestion was to heat it up and soak it in a tub of gear oil to lube it. They said that if you put your foot on the housing where the joint is while riding you could feel it if it was starting to go bad, otherwise you'd likely not notice 'till it was too late. Like many other parts, a properly maintained U-joint will last an eternity, once the lube is compromised the lifespan can become minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 32 minutes ago, superhawk996 said: Is the issue that the U joint wears out or something else? The driveshaft has non-serviceable u-joints. I suppose if they were serviceable, they'd be substantially larger. It's not hard to check the joints on the bike. Place on center stand, rock wheel back and forth and see if you hear any clicking. Spin wheel and ensure it's quiet. Dismantling and visual inspection shouldn't be necessary, but since you are supposed to replace the rear drive oil every other year, might as well do a visual inspection since you've already done the first step. While riding, a tapping noise from the rear wheel is about all the warning you get. If you're lucky, you're close to home or a BMW shop before it fails. Failure can tear up the driveshaft housing...making an even more expensive repair than just replacing the driveshaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 18 Author Share Posted March 18 And, in case you wonder how common an issue this is…. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 5 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: I suppose if they were serviceable, they'd be substantially larger. No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 I'ma buy one of those for my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 13 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: And, in case you wonder how common an issue this is…. His driveshaft is cupped....or just out of time, which will make it become cupped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 ...dang... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 Well, $135 in parts. I'll have to do it myself. Knoxville BMW is "busy" and won't commit to doing it on an appointment basis. Asheville BMW would prefer having the whole bike to test ride afterwards, but they say they don't even show the parts as available. Hopefully the parts will arrive soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Assuming it's pressed in, and that you don't have a press, you're going to need something that only contacts the outer race to hammer it in without damage. The old bearing should work, but you'll probably have to grind the inner race down a bit and make sure that you keep it centered over the new one and square to the bore. Removing the old one will tell how tightly pressed it is, it might be no biggie. If it's pressed hard, I suggest taking it to a repair shop or machine shop that has a press, they "should" know how to do it properly. It doesn't have to be a bike repair shop, a bearing is a bearing. Something that'll make it easier to install, freeze the bearing and heat the housing. In cases of a light press fit, that'll often let it just drop into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 19 Author Share Posted March 19 1 hour ago, superhawk996 said: Assuming it's pressed in, and that you don't have a press, you're going to need something that only contacts the outer race to hammer it in without damage. The old bearing should work, but you'll probably have to grind the inner race down a bit and make sure that you keep it centered over the new one and square to the bore. Removing the old one will tell how tightly pressed it is, it might be no biggie. If it's pressed hard, I suggest taking it to a repair shop or machine shop that has a press, they "should" know how to do it properly. It doesn't have to be a bike repair shop, a bearing is a bearing. Something that'll make it easier to install, freeze the bearing and heat the housing. In cases of a light press fit, that'll often let it just drop into place. Thankfully, I've been down this road before. Know of both those tricks. I never want to hear a motorcycle shop complain they can't find work to do. I was willing to pay a mechanic to do it for me, and both pretty much didn't want to be bothered unless it was on their terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SierraKLR Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 10 hours ago, Zero Knievel said: Thankfully, I've been down this road before. Know of both those tricks. I never want to hear a motorcycle shop complain they can't find work to do. I was willing to pay a mechanic to do it for me, and both pretty much didn't want to be bothered unless it was on their terms. Damn arrogant mechanics ! I don't know what their problem is...I love it when people come into my business and tell me how I am doing it wrong and their ideas, terms, scheduling and timelines are so much better than mine. I also love to let them dictate the price, because you know, "the customer is always right " !!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 6 hours ago, SierraKLR said: Damn arrogant mechanics ! I don't know what their problem is...I love it when people come into my business and tell me how I am doing it wrong and their ideas, terms, scheduling and timelines are so much better than mine. I also love to let them dictate the price, because you know, "the customer is always right " !!! FUCK THAT SHIT. Replacing bearings doesn’t require the whole bike. Replacing bearings doesn’t require multiple days (absent something more being wrong). Nothing I wanted was unreasonable. The first shop knew I’d be coming from over 2 hours away. To drop off and pick up means 8 hours of driving because they don’t want to give an appointment and do the job when I’m there. I can understand not promising that nothing will go wrong and require they take more time replacing the bearing, nor was I demanding to get in the next day. I simply didn’t want to make two separate trips. I see nothing unreasonable about giving an appointment to do a job for someone who has to come a long way just to get to your shop. They wanted me to drop it off and they would get to it “when they can get to it” (their actual words). I have a trip planned for May and already paid for things (non-refundable). I don’t want to be at the mercy of a shop that will get to the job when they feel like it. The second shop also knew how far away I was. They wanted the whole bike. That means (1) reassembling the bike, (2) trailering the bike there and back, and (3) paying them the additional labor I’ve already done. I get how they prefer a “post repair drive check,” but I’ve taken my wheels in for new tires with them. It’s not required. They aren’t rebuilding the motor. They are removing and replacing two bearings. The BMW shops near me all should know several owners ARE NOT close to them. Hell, if I bought HONDA I’d have one small ass shop in Johnson City that still works on Hondas. With the shrinking motorcycle market, owners have less options for where to bring bikes in for repairs. Not being flexible with scheduling work for people coming from a considerable distance is how you lose customers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Like Super said, if you can get the part, take it to any machine shop or even a decent auto repair shop to press the bearings. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 20 Author Share Posted March 20 20 minutes ago, blackhawkxx said: Like Super said, if you can get the part, take it to any machine shop or even a decent auto repair shop to press the bearings. I’m practically there. I found another failed seal. Whether it preceded or proceeded the bearing failure, I don’t know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 On 3/20/2024 at 1:59 AM, Zero Knievel said: Replacing bearings doesn’t require the whole bike. Replacing bearings doesn’t require multiple days (absent something more being wrong). Nothing I wanted was unreasonable. If they don't have a way to verify that everything's right they know they might find themselves in court battling the pissed off customer that "just wanted a bearing replaced"...or worse yet, fighting the family of the deceased customer for the zillion dollars they're seeking in the wrongful death suit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXitanium Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Some guys... It's not the right model or year, but people do dig into them. I think this is the trouble my friend is experiencing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 The tale so far. I have parts on order. The first should be arriving today. There’s a shop in Tennessee where I bought my DR brush mower. He does motorcycle repair, so Thursday (parts or not) I will swing by and ask if he’s set up to replace the bearings. This would be simplest. If that isn’t so, I’ll call the BMW shop in Knoxville and see if (1) they will use the parts I already have (BMW branded) and (2) give some commitment on when the job will be done. I’d want the unit back by the end of April since I have rides planned for May. If that doesn’t work, a BMW guy in the Nashville BMW club will do the job. Down bit is that I’ll have to take it in person. Yes, I could UPS the unit, BUT to ensure I’m covered should it get damaged or lost in shipping, I have to insure it for $3,000…making the drive there and back (even two trips) cost effective. On the bright side, I think I found the issue with the boot. The tabs that hold it in place are on a plastic ring bonded to the boot itself. I found a break in that ring that negates the pressure it applies once the boot is in place. So, a new boot is on order and should arrive soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Hey, did you notice that Phillip isn't on here talking about how his Blackbird is broke down? 😁 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampNut Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I wonder how the local BMW specialist can afford to put on these massive parties a couple times a year... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Deep pockets man. How does one sponsor and own an F1 team? Fucking billions... for what? What do you get for that billion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 25 Author Share Posted March 25 52 minutes ago, SwampNut said: I wonder how the local BMW specialist can afford to put on these massive parties a couple times a year... Well, that's one BMW owner who is into sausage fests. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted March 26 Author Share Posted March 26 I could use some input from those who have BMW shaft drive bike (or have worked on them). What causes the marring in the following pictures? Is it normal? Can it be “cleaned up?” Normally I’d not give it a second thought…presuming this is the result of the bearing failing, BUT I want to be sure it won’t pose an issue going forward AND it wasn’t the cause of the failure in the first place. These are from the side with the failing/failed bearing. By comparison, here’s what the other side looks like…clean on both the drive unit and the driveshaft housing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 I did work on both of my BMW bikes and never saw anything like that. I'd also stand over the mechanics shoulder and definitely didn't see anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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