Final drive boot leak, Any ideas for problem?

[skidrum]

I'm currently on a trip, any one have any ideas about my problem with a leaking final drive boot? Oil leaking from both retaining clips of boot.

Rear wheel does not move side to side when placed on center stand.
Rear wheel spins freely with no obvious grinding noises.

1994 K1100LT

Help!

Ski

p.s.If I monitor oil level could it be driven for my remaining 400miles? :confused:

[dshealey]

I'm currently on a trip, any one have any ideas about my problem with a leaking final drive boot? Oil leaking from both retaining clips of boot.

Rear wheel does not move side to side when placed on center stand.
Rear wheel spins freely with no obvious grinding noises.

1994 K1100LT

Help!

Ski

p.s.If I monitor oil level could it be driven for my remaining 400miles? :confused:


The oil leaking from the boot is either transmission oil from the output seal, or final drive oil from it's input seal, not from a failing final drive. The input seal is a pretty common leak point in final drives, but does not cause failure like the bearing failing does. I would ride it and watch the fluid levels, and if you do hear or feel any thing weird check it out. Your chances are great that you will not have any problems other than the leak itself.

[skidrum]

How can I monitor my final drive oil?
My owners manual does not have info on oil levels, or what i can use for oil.
The manual shows gear oil (GL5) by BMW. Is there an auto store i can get
gear oil on (Sunday) that will work.

[sanjaun2]

I bought some gl5 gear oil at NAPA. It happened to be royal purple brand.(synthetic)
Most auto parts stores will carry some sort of GL5 oil.

[pkpr1998]

I had the seal between my drive shaft and final drive leak (very minor) a few months ago, dealer replaced under warranty.
IT was a plastic seal that was leaking. Just keep an eye on it.

[dshealey]

How can I monitor my final drive oil?
My owners manual does not have info on oil levels, or what i can use for oil.
The manual shows gear oil (GL5) by BMW. Is there an auto store i can get
gear oil on (Sunday) that will work.

GL5 gear oil is available just about anywhere, service stations, auto parts stores, Wal Mart, Target, etc.

To check the oil level, just pull the fill plug and look in. It normally runs at about the bottom of the threads for the plug. It is not critical though, if you can see it, it will lubricate just fine. It is splash lubed, the ring gear picks up oil from the bottom and it splashes everywhere when running.

[PhillWard]

I'm currently on a trip, any one have any ideas about my problem with a leaking final drive boot? Oil leaking from both retaining clips of boot.

1994 K1100LT

Help!

Ski

G'day Ski, from the great southern land.........
had exactly this specific problem on Beryl Beemer...cause was a leaky pinion seal within the final drive unit. The rear drive oil was able to find it's way into the drive shaft tunnel, hence the leak at the lower rubber boot seal. Undid the retaining clip and moved the rubber boot and "splutttt" a reasonable amount of oil dropped out.
K12LT's in Oz, initially only had 12 months warranty when they were imported here.....this happened prob at about 18months in.....BMW call this "good will" when they graciously offer some recompense for failures, mainly they pay for the parts and you pay for the labour....(can be different)....think the seal cost $8 with the labour a couple of hundred $$......you may be hard pressed to get BMW to pay for this ...how good are your negotiation skills??? hehhehehehhehh

Had no problem since, and Beryl chugging along at 145,000kms.

cheers

Phill
78 XS1100E "The Tardis" (ret)
99 K12LT "Beryl Beemer"

[McRuss]

I had the seal between my drive shaft and final drive leak (very minor) a few months ago, dealer replaced under warranty.
IT was a plastic seal that was leaking. Just keep an eye on it.

How do you determine which seal is leaking? From what I've heard/read (must be true) the output seal at the rear of the tranny leaks as well as the rear drive seal and the resulting drip/puddle ends up in the same place, the lower boot. I have to clean the suspension link every two weeks or so and it is tolerable but I'd like to get it fixed while bike is still under warranty. Or maybe I should just have them change both?