LT Main Seal Failure/Clutch Failure

[sparkchaser1200]

Hi,

I have a2006 LT which I love riding. My wife and I purchased it to go on long trips together, we love the bike.

Lately I have had some concern about how long it will last.

My personnel observations from hanging at my local BMW shop is that the rear end drive problem takes second place to the main oil seal failure.

For those who may not be familiar: When the main oil seal fails, usually just a little weep, it will get into the clutch. This causes the clutch to slip of course, but also will lead to the clutch material coming off of the clutch. Looks like shredded cabbage upon removal.

During the last year the shop has repaired 5 or 6 main seals, mostly on LT's but some on other K bikes and one R.

On the LT this is an expensive job. $2500.00 labor plus parts to get to and replace the main seal and clutch.

Some fail while under warranty, some just after. I have not been able to get a handle on mileage. Failure seems to be almost random. Some bike are nearly new with less than 18,000 miles. Others have 30,000 plus on the clock.

The drive shaft bearing failure, while a very serious problem from a safety stand point, is relatively cheap to repair in comparison with the clutch.

So to the point of my thread.

I'm wondering how widespread is this problem.

I guess I'm mainly disappointed. This is my first BMW. I have run my Japanese bikes into the ground with high mileage in a 10 to 12 year period of time. One of my main reasons for getting the LT was BMW's reputation for long life. With all of the failures I see on this sight I'm wondering if I chose wrong.

[chenley]

your observations are correct;

your concerns are valid;

BMW and their dealers know of the problem, but, are not stepping up to the plate with corrective action

[hschisler]

My '05 LT w/51k on the odometer is in the shop as we speak for this very issue. I'm not sure which seal it is that failed (I'll know more later), but the clutch was contaminated. My hometown dealer quoted $2500 to repair -- just as you mentioned. I took it to another BMW dealer who said it would be $1k to do the same thing. That's where it is now. Should have it back next week.

I don't like this either, especially because it's out of warranty, but I have come to learn that every bike/car/airplane/hairdryer has its idiosyncrasies or weak points. The slave cylinder failed on this bike with 1k miles on it; the clutch was replaced then, under warranty.

The Gold Wing sites are full of issues they are known for; the V-Strom sites, the same thing. Every bike has its "gotcha". Some are bullet-proof, of course, but they aren't an LT! :cool:

All I can say is: If you like the bike and all of its attributes enough you will repair it and keep going. I hope to get many, many more miles before the next major repair on mine.

[dshealey]

The clutch slave cylinder failure is a far more common cause of clutch contamination, with the front transmission input shaft oil seal next. The engine oil seal/O-ring failure is third, and less likely to cause clutch contamination even when they do leak. Engine oil leaking past the main seal typically drains down the sides of the clutch housing to the bottom, and there has to be quite a bit of oil leaked before it gets to the clutch. The clutch slave/transmission seal failures though lead the leaked fluid right into the center of the clutch assembly, and there does not have to be very much at all before the clutch goes south. Only an ounce or two can do the dirty deed, where several ounces of engine oil can be discharged before getting to the clutch. Oil leaked goes to the front of the clutch drive plate where it is slung out to the sides of the housing, where it runs down the sides to the bottom.

I have seen three or four myself that were torn down for clutch slave or transmission seal failures, and each time there was considerable engine oil all around the outside of the housing from a seal leak, but none in the clutch.

[sparkchaser1200]

hschisler

My dealer is not very BMW. The owners are not motorcyclists, their car dealers. For this reason alone they just don't "get it". The $2500.00 is the "book" price for the job. A good tech can do the job in a lot less time. This shop charges book for everything no mater how long it takes.
Maybe I should find a better dealer! One who "gets it".
We have one in our area for a long time, but the owner retired and BMW recruited the current one. Not a good move for Beemer owners in the area.
Who do you go to?

[hschisler]

EM sent.
<obligatory extra text here>

[Ghost55]

I had a rear main failure on my 2003 at less than 5K. It was covered under warranty, but the dealer said it was probably the most expensive mechanical repair on the bike.

[sparkchaser1200]

Ghost55

Well I'm not sure how that could be possible. The rear end comes apart much easier and in less time that digging the clutch out.

The rear end and drive shaft housing is only step one in disassembly to get to the clutch. The transmission must be separated from the engine which involves nearly removing the engine form the frame. The labor in performing the task is what is so expensive. Parts are cheep.

Maybe the parts cost is what your dealer was referring Not sure.

I have removed and replaced the drive seal in a friends bike. I took the rear end housing tot he dealer to have the seal installed, the hard part, then put the rear end back on the bike. The dealer charged me less than $100.00 to install the seal including parts.

[va899]

If you don't want to hear about mechanical problems don't go to the shop. It's like going to a hospital not expecting to see sick people. If you want to talk about longevity go to rallies where the happy people hang out, and talk about all the adventures their bikes have taken them on.
I have over 142k on my 01 Lt. clutch was replaced at 70k when my old dealer messed it up doing routine maintenance. Rear oil seal at 120k no clutch damage.
Just ride it!

[sparkchaser1200]

VA899

Well that would be one way to go. "Don't Worry Be happy".

[kriach]

If you are that worried about a POSSIBLE failure then maybe you should seriously consider selling the bike and buying something that you will not be so worried about. Not all LT's have clutch or rear drive failures and those that do do not seem to follow any discernable pattern. Some are high mileage some are low, some tow a trailer some do not, some ride the bike hard some do not. If you are going to spend your time worrying about possible failures that occur to a small percentage of the bikes sold then you need to sell it and get a bike that you can enjoy riding without worry.


All that said I would not trade my LT for any other bike, possible failures or not. However that is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.