R1200GS Final Drive - Replaced with New Design

[DaveDragon]

R1200GS Final Drive - Replaced with New Design (http://davedragon.rilysi.com/2008/08/r1200gs-final-drive-replacement.html)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jHG3xHaI/AAAAAAAAGto/H02K8Q6HhR4/CIMG2778_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh5.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jG9DoVSI/AAAAAAAAGtk/KcvAN_jq-N4/s1600-h/CIMG2778%5B3%5D.jpg)
TR1200GS suffered another Final Drive Failure recently that again, was covered under warranty by BMW North America.

The New Final Drive is of the New Design which incorporates an actual Drain Plug located at the bottom of the unit.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jIblkAhI/AAAAAAAAGtw/QSf0kkK4FQk/CIMG2768_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh5.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jH3qUEQI/AAAAAAAAGts/WG-KpQzuduI/s1600-h/CIMG2768%5B3%5D.jpg)
This is a very positive change that enables Final Drive Lube Change without separating the Drive Shaft from the Final Drive in order to drain it.

Filling the Final Drive is accomplished via the Speed Sensor Mounting Hole on the wheel side of the Final Drive.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jJG575uI/AAAAAAAAGt4/qvHBCjAt6zk/CIMG2773_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh6.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jIzppQeI/AAAAAAAAGt0/u4Sfc4OoD28/s1600-h/CIMG2773%5B3%5D.jpg)
These shots show the new Drain Plug as well as the Fender Mounting holes.

The previous design had a drain hole that was covered by the Fender when installed.

Draining the Lube previously entailed removing the rear wheel, removing the speed sensor, removing the upper stabilizer arm mounting bolt to the Final Drive and rotating the Final Drive downwards to drain the lube.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jKFsLY5I/AAAAAAAAGuA/7a4R3GzYyxo/CIMG2772_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800 (http://lh5.ggpht.com/davedragondave/SK1jJq1pCbI/AAAAAAAAGt8/ny_abh0FDdM/s1600-h/CIMG2772%5B3%5D.jpg)
It was also difficult to re-engage the Drive Shaft with the Final Drive Input Shaft and aligning of the boot that covers this connection point.

The New Final Drive requires a 600 mile service consisting of replacing the Break-In Lube with the standard Gear Lube.

There most likely have been other (internal) design changes to these Final Drive units but I don't know the specifics.

LATER

[Lynn_Keen]

Geez, since BMW never really admitted publicly that they had a rear drive problem ya gotta wonder why they would go to all the expense and trouble of a redesign? :confused: Anyway, glad to hear that your back on the road on 2 wheels. May your next rear end problem be nothing more serious than hemorrhoids!

[DaveDragon]

May your next rear end problem be nothing more serious than hemorrhoids!

Gee Thanks Lynn http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon11.gif

[ronk1200lt]

Dave! Do you know when this new final drive design was incorporated into the GS production line?

[BMWGS]

[b]The New Final Drive is of the New Design which incorporates an actual Drain Plug located at the bottom of the unit.

Thats it...a drain plug? Thats the extent of the "new" design?

What was changed internally?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am sure the big bearing is a ball bearing. If it is, then there should be NO side load placed on it which is the case in the design.

BTW, the new FDs are still failing.

[DaveDragon]

Dave! Do you know when this new final drive design was incorporated into the GS production line?

Sorry, I don't know all the changes.

Perhaps one of our members that works for a Dealer may know this info.

[DaveDragon]

I've confirmed that both the Old style FD and the New Design share a common BMW Part Number #33117694845

[tmgs]

There most likely have been other (internal) design changes to these Final Drive units but I don't know the specifics.

LATER

the new internal design change only occurs after a failure

(running and ducking)
Tom (you really need two or three of these bikes Dave <grin>)

[tmgs]

I've confirmed that both the Old style FD and the New Design share a common BMW Part Number #33117694845

and I thought you were about to say something funny....

it seems some of these final drive are failing because the seal is eating a grrove in the surface it rides on fairly quickly then well letting all the oil out, however the pic I saw of the splines ate off one showed no signs of oil leakage

[DaveDragon]

and I thought you were about to say something funny....

it seems some of these final drive are failing because the seal is eating a grrove in the surface it rides on fairly quickly then well letting all the oil out, however the pic I saw of the splines ate off one showed no signs of oil leakage

This latest failure on my gs didn't leak at all, just made a roaring noise.

[tmgs]

This latest failure on my gs didn't leak at all, just made a roaring noise.


sounds like my lt when it went, maybe this new one will hold at least it will be easier to check it witht he drain plug, too bad they didn't add a fill plug as well :(

I really like my BMW's but dang man, I'm about tired of something all the time between them, and I'm tired of even hearing of final drive failures, heck, I can carry a EWS with me (and do and I don;t even mind doing that) heck I'd be glad to spnd a few more bucks to be sure the final drive doesnt fail one day

Karen has now had four summer trips on her bike cancelled wsince 2002 because of something going wrong with her bikes :(.
I guess my old shovelhead spoiled me with good dependability, and the lt as well for the last 100k miles on it.

hmmm, maybe we can find a way to put a chain drive on the R1200GSA with a full swingarm wheel bearings on each side ya know......<grin>