Might be a slider seal. Clymer will show you how to put in a new seal. 3 or 4 bucks, I think they are..

Reach up near the top of the slider( do both the right and left slider) and run your fingers on the back side. Check for oil running down the back side. :bmw:

 

:rotf: let's see---the 3 amigos--vern,vern,vern. any relation? :rotf:

that's a good idea. will do tomorrow. i'm too fat to comfortably lay on the garage floor but i will 'check-it-out'. just glancing and touching the outside of the shock (you call it 'slider'?) i did not feel anything wet. but will do a thorough job tomorrow and let you know.

anyone else with any further thoughts?

ok i looked. now i better understand the cost of labor on these machines. this is NOT something i can even consider. i don't know that i'd trust a non-BMW shop, either. so i now need to confirm the problem and take her to one of two shops in the area. well here goes 4-5 hours for 10 bucks of parts. arrrraaaagh

 

They are called sliders as they do not contribute to the damping of the suspension. Fluid leaking will not affect performance as it is merely in there as a lubricant. All shock function is done with the single shock on the telelever. But it is messy if you don't fix it.

But given one brake hose has gone the rest of them will follow shortly. Take another look but feel will tell you if it is brake fluid or ATF (oil for the sliders). Brake fluid does not feel very good or slippery like the ATF. Best to replace them all. Plenty of aftermarket options.

 

thanks for the info, John. i appreciate it very much.

Too bad you're over in AL.

funny it turns out you're also a ham. i was just thinking when i was younger, i probably could have and would have tackled this job. just like when i was more active and could fix problems with my radios. now, i just live with the problems .

i AM glad to hear that-if it IS the slider(s) then it's not performance serious. will know more tmw.

73's

I see you're just N of Huntsville. until recently, i worked for a company in Tullahoma.

 

ok "amigos". what is the reason for brake fluid dripping on the left side of the front wheel?

i just walked out to the garage and spotted some fluid that obviously dripped when she was sitting there.

the last ride was on Saturday. didn't see any sign (but didn't look either). the shinny glare hit my eye today.

Damn, another brake issue.

she's an 02 LTE with 28K on her. broke a brake line a few months ago but that was fixed by a dealer.

damn

<insert>
forget the 2nd damn, i found two other instances where the symptoms were the same. both turned out to be OTHER than brake related.

Shock or dampener seems to make sense. i was in an area Saturday that had a few holes in the side road at my Gdaughters soccer game. i seem to remember (slowly) hitting one or two. that could 'splain it i suppose. will have to get out there tomorrow and do a closer visual.

assuming it is, what do i do about it? (i will look at my new Clymers but i could use some human-not paper-input.

thanks uno bunches

a friend of mine had his front brake line pop on his 2002 lt 8 hours after he rode the dragon

 

last time I had brake fluid on my front tire, it was because the wife was trying to kill me


might want to check that

 

Too bad you're over in AL.

I see you're just N of Huntsville. until recently, i worked for a company in Tullahoma.

Roswell is not that far away - easy day drive!!

 

Thanks John. if i had a trailer, it would be a no brainer. . i've been looking but haven't broken for the $'s.

well, i wiped everything down and was going to take her out today and return to see what symptoms i would see.

started her up.

The slow alternating reds tell the story. it seems that it's ABS/brake related-not sliders as we first suspected, i suppose.

so now the quandry. do i go to the dealer and have all new SS brake lines put in? i think someone said with the failure a couple of months ago, i can expect more. well, looks like more has struck with it's fanged teeth.

guess i call a dealer here and get her in. Dang/nab it. 70's today and this weekend

 

I had similar problem, turned out to be a leaking fork seal.. Relatively easy fix, took a couple of hours IIRC.

 

I had similar problem, turned out to be a leaking fork seal.. Relatively easy fix, took a couple of hours IIRC.

I had a fork seal leak, but it was just noticeable on the fork tube...not enough fluid to cover what Mike's describing. Sure would be an easy fix it were the tube, but I suspect not. But, the fix at a shop is cheaper than payments on a different bike. FWIW, I've had unsatisfactory experiences at a couple different BMW dealers and their repairs...to the point where I'd consider a competent non-BMW dealer, or an offer of help from one of the guys here on the forum; many of the guys here have incredible knowledge about these machines. Saved my rear a few times.

BTW, you'd be surprised at how many ham radio ops frequent this forum!

 

The slow alternating reds tell the story. it seems that it's ABS/brake related-not sliders as we first suspected, i suppose.

A wig wag on an early bike just means the reservoirs are low on fluid and I mean low by less than an ounce. I would top off the two chambers in the rear reservoir and see if the wig wag goes away then check for the source of that leak.

 

normally i'd agree. howsomeever, there was no reason for the reservoir to be low (front) and there was blood (read: fluid) on the wheel. i had a leak a few months ago and had to have several hoses replaced. so why not figure that's the problem again? and they'll be here tomorrow to load her up and take her to the dealer. i've been told good things about this dealer. Chris(blueknightga6) swears by them so i gotta go with his knowledge. we have another in the area where i had the work done before so i might as well test these guys out at Atlanta BMW in Marietta.

sigh. cost. sigh. shucks. oh well, bite the bullet. hope i can put brakes behind (and in front of course) of me.

hate to miss the next 2 days. in the 70's and sunny. maybe it's a premenition (sp?) and i need to listen. after all, at almost 70 and fat as a cat, anything can happen

 

I had a fork seal leak, but it was just noticeable on the fork tube...not enough fluid to cover what Mike's describing. Sure would be an easy fix it were the tube, but I suspect not. But, the fix at a shop is cheaper than payments on a different bike. FWIW, I've had unsatisfactory experiences at a couple different BMW dealers and their repairs...to the point where I'd consider a competent non-BMW dealer, or an offer of help from one of the guys here on the forum; many of the guys here have incredible knowledge about these machines. Saved my rear a few times.

BTW, you'd be surprised at how many ham radio ops frequent this forum!

yes. i concur (and agree, too). i don't know anyone here locally qualified or knowlegeable enough to do it (but then i don't know too many anyway).

with a lot of hams, i gotta say---QSL! great to have them-lurkers and all. maybe i can mount my IC718 and auto tuner with a vertical on the bike. naw. too much work and then i'd be distracted and kill myself. naw. forget that one.

 

A small amount of pad wear is sufficient for a pre-05 bike to start flashing a wigwag for low fluid. The reservoir will look full but once you put in a small amount the lights will stop.

 

last time I had brake fluid on my front tire, it was because the wife was trying to kill me


might want to check that

would not have been. her birthday was the 16th. she'd want her 'gift' first. hmmmm did i ssay first? i better check in the AM to be sure my gun is where it's supposed to be.

sent her on to the local service department (the bike-not the wife) ......guess it could be the wife......

 

Another one (hoping not) Mike? I hope it's simple fix and not another leaker. I just looked through all the posts here Mike and see the Woolies came to pick her up. I think they'll treat you right.

 

yep. it appears so, Chris. Didnt want to bother you with this. decided to take your advice and have BMW/ATL take care of it this time. had her trailered (at Progressive's expense) and will discuss with them. they'll get to it next week. really missed Fri/Yesterday and today. never fails, eh what?

thanks for noting it. you should be out riding now!!! why you on da computer??

may have them replace all brake hoses with those SS you told me about. what do you think?

 

yep. it appears so, Chris. Didnt want to bother you with this. decided to take your advice and have BMW/ATL take care of it this time. had her trailered (at Progressive's expense) and will discuss with them. they'll get to it next week. really missed Fri/Yesterday and today. never fails, eh what?

thanks for noting it. you should be out riding now!!! why you on da computer??

may have them replace all brake hoses with those SS you told me about. what do you think?

I'm just now seeing these as I haven't been in much. Our beagle had spinal surgery on Wednesday so I've been playing nursemaid for her. I did get a short ride in yesterday. They'll probably recommend the Spiegler lines but if you decide to go OEM they won't fight you on it. I think the cost difference may not be that much if you replace all of them. Remember, Speigler only sells a complete set and BMW will sell the individual hoses.

 

gosh i hope the surgery went well. hard to keep a good dog down :rotf:

yeah it's a bit overcast here so not so bad. we're headed out for a late lunch. Carol has to be on teh road all this week. bummer.

i remember about the lines. we'll see what they come up with in the way of recommendations. as a dealer i know they CANT recommend after market items but the SS make a lot of sense. as long as she's apart, and it's not TOO expensive, i say "do it to it".

will let you know!

 

well, the continuing saga: seems that the left front brake line to the left caliper is leaking. the cost will be in the $250 range.

based on (forgotten who-but thanks ) suggestion that all the brake lines are now 11 years old and if one has/is going, all will soon enough, i've made a major decision that the wife will not hear. i am going to put spigler (sp?) all around. over $1k to do it but at least the brake issues will go away for a long time. (then i'll only have to deal with others, like to final drive-etc.

so i'll have my camel back by the weekend they say.

they estimate 9 hours including all the bleeding and new fluid needed.

sheesh. it never ends does it?

 

That's a biggie you'll be done with. Bottom line is you gotta have brakes and you're doing it right with those lines. FD is possible at some point, but not that serious to have repaired; nor does everyone experience failure. Clutch...that's a nasty one if it gets wet. $$$ The clutch, at 22k, was the straw that broke the camel's back (pardon the pun on your username) for me and was why I pulled the trigger on a different bike. The LT is a great bike; it has its issues like most bikes do, but it's a great ride all the same. Happy riding this season!

 

WELL, I sure hope the other things don't come to pass.

i remember now why the line is leaking. i had an emergency stop and used both front and rear. it was a similar issue for the first time i had a leak a few months ago. the good news is they stopped me!!! and this is the bad news. so any hoo, this will take care of it.

hope you come back to one (1200 or 1600) i do love this modus transportus. i'm now comfortable with the weight. it took me several months of riding to not be affriad of laying her over-which i did several times. now i know how to look behind me when backing as well as other small tricks.

i do love my camel.

just remember one good hump deserves another :bmw: 3

73's OM

 

WELL, I sure hope the other things don't come to pass.

i remember now why the line is leaking. i had an emergency stop and used both front and rear. it was a similar issue for the first time i had a leak a few months ago. the good news is they stopped me!!! and this is the bad news. so any hoo, this will take care of it.

hope you come back to one (1200 or 1600) i do love this modus transportus. i'm now comfortable with the weight. it took me several months of riding to not be affriad of laying her over-which i did several times. now i know how to look behind me when backing as well as other small tricks.

i do love my camel.

just remember one good hump deserves another :bmw: 3

73's OM

Yeah, the LT is no fun to pick up. I have a 1600GTL now. Love it!

 

Boy (Man) am i jealous. can't afford a 1600 but have been oogling them at the dealer. retired sucks. i'm on limited income so can't afford much.

dropping hte 1200 ended a fefw months ago. i have a reasonably good feel for the balance. what i haven't been able to do-don't have the confidence yet, is to put her on the center sstand. i cannot tell when both feet are down in the garage. i'd like to put her on the cneter stand from time to time-if nothing else but to check fluids. i have to ask my wife to make sure she's balanced and level first. there's so much weight i just can't get a feel for level or not. maybe mounting a bubble balance-or using my accelerometer in my phone. now THAT'S an idea. for an old man, that's brilliant. gonna work on that! :dance:

 

well, here's a follow up for those that are interested.

i did have the spigliers put on at a final cost of about $1025. stiff price to pay but i should not have another problem now.

i do like the way the brakes feel. more responsive and reactive. that is the good part! the $'s hurt but.. WT heck....

after a day's driving, the ABS flashing came back on. i remembered (amazing isn't it?) that the last time i had a line replaced-even though they bleed the system and refilled it, there was still a small pocket or bubble that remained when it was filled. the levels went down just enough to set off the sensor. so i went back there but it was a monday and i had forgotten that they were closed. anyway, i found some DOT4 for 4 bucks and put in enough to fille the resevoir. that took care of it!! still have to figure out an easy way to get the side off to access the reservoirs without pulling and holding it while dripping in small amounts of brake fluid. i did spill a little. don't like that!!

then, i found where the tupperware wasn't put back correctly and i had a really bad vibrration noise that was pronounced at idle speeds. so it took it back again to have them look at it. the tech said that when he put the tupperware back together, he had apparently pinched a rubber washer/gasket in a section of the right side-front. it was supposed to stop any vibration but because it was not put back correctly, it vibrated. he replaced the washer/gasket and she purrs like new. amazing what a rubber can prevent, isn't it?

back to the road this weekend. shoudl be about 70+ degrees in atlanta.

hooray!