rear bearing change

[michael48]

I have a 02 Lt with 18K miles. I am considering changing out the bearing in the rear drive before it goes south somewhere in the middle of nowhere. My question: has anyone, by themselves, changed out the bearing, based only on the information provided in the recent MOA magazine article? Any ideas about the cost of doing it yourself as opposed to a dealer changing the bearing? Thanks ---

[sanjaun2]

I have not changed mine out yet, But I can tell you the parts cost me $188. Thats for the bearing, seal, and 2 o rings

[alindsay]

Do a search as there have been a number of us that have replaced the rear bearing - myself included. Fairly easy to do as long as you have a puller and a heat source. Could be done in a couple of hours.

I don't recall exactly but the parts from Chicago BMW were probably about $120. Less than the cost of a drive belt for a Harley (I believe) and probably easier to do.

[DanMartin]

Go to Files-technical docs and you will find a write-up there.


Dan Martin
Houston, Tx

[bigbear]

FYI
From previous posts BMW started using the 17 ball version some where around mid 02 build. I don't think there is a known VIN number that states exactly when this happened.

Build date after July you may already have the new bearing.

[gstevens]

Try http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4895&referrerid=1950

chip

[ltcanup]

Mine is an 01 and no final drive problems after 83000mi.
Fluids as clean as went in.Dont worry about it.Ride it and if if happens it happens then fix it.May not ever go bad then u wasted all that money which u could give to me instead lol.
Im still mad at Gunny for stealing my signature gif.

[dougholck]

Had my 02 trany and rear drive seal replaced when oil showed up in the drive boot at 32K last Thursday. They said both were leaking and was covered by my extended warranty. Hoping for the best regarding the bearing as they did not recommend replacing it as no metal on plug or in oil and everything feels good (no noise or play). Do not know if it is 19 or 17 ball bearing?

Just got back from a 1100 mile trip from Sacramento to Death Valley (101 yesterday at Stove Pipe Wells) and back up 395 to Reno and home today. Extended periods of desert cruising near triple digits and no problems. Still think I will order spare bearing to carry in hopes of warding off gremlins.

Doug Holck

[KYchris02]

how much will it cost for this replace the 19 ball rear if i do it when there is no problem vs. waiting till the rear-end goes south???

[mobygrape]

The cost depends on how far south you let it go. If you catch it early, you can do a good cleanout and replace the bearing, seal and o-ring, for a cost of $150 to $200. If you wait till the bearing frags, you may need a cover and other bearings as well. If you chew up the gears, it's a new drive for about $800. Thats doing the work yourself.

[Daman858]

At Bob's BMW open house on Sat., a fella from the Pittsburgh area brought down some really neat cut-away displays of BMW engines and trannys. The best one was the LT engine and drive train including a cut away of the final drive. For me and many others, it made all these posts about bearings and such make sense.

[ksailor]

You take any pix Dave??

[hoodoodrum]

Just got back from a 1100 mile trip from Sacramento to Death Valley (101 yesterday at Stove Pipe Wells) and back up 395 to Reno and home today. Extended periods of desert cruising near triple digits and no problems. Still think I will order spare bearing to carry in hopes of warding off gremlins.

Doug Holck

On long trips I carry a complete spare final drive. 25# of insurance. Given Murphy's Law, I am more likely to blow the tranny or some other stupid thing. Here is a good example on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-K1200LT-Rear-Axle-Differential-Final-Drive_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35623QQitemZ4630942902QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
I choose to fix it on the fly rather than ruin a trip due to a known faulty design.

That's why I carry the American Express Card... "Don't ride your bike without it".

[KYchris02]

The cost depends on how far south you let it go. If you catch it early, you can do a good cleanout and replace the bearing, seal and o-ring, for a cost of $150 to $200. If you wait till the bearing frags, you may need a cover and other bearings as well. If you chew up the gears, it's a new drive for about $800. Thats doing the work yourself.

based on this... it seems to make mucho sense to change the bearing out. i hear many say what a waste it is to to the work preventively. carrying around the parts also seems wierd to me. what gives?

[hoodoodrum]

based on this... it seems to make mucho sense to change the bearing out. i hear many say what a waste it is to to the work preventively. carrying around the parts also seems wierd to me. what gives?

I wouldn't own or carry a spare drive (on long hauls only) if my dashboard had a "final drive impending failure" warning light on it. Some drives last for tens of thousands of miles and others go at spontaneous rates. If the 17 ball bearing WAS the cure, I'd do it in a heartbeat as would many LT owners. Stranded for days on the road awaiting a final drive repair ain't my idea of fun. Ask those who have ridden to CCR in past years.

Just call it "things I do and sacrifice to ride the best sport luxury touring motorcycle".

Correction..... the drive weighs 15# NOT 25#.

[REWDOC]

BMWMOA magazine, May issue, has an article on how to replace the bearings.