Final drive issues

[paxton3x@att.net]

Hello experts, 1999 K1200 RS current milage 29,627. Repair of final drive 07/30/10 milage10740. Repair of final drive 07/03/15 milage 26487. In-between this issues the oil was change with 80w-90w hypoid gear oil every 12000 miles or sooner. Running liqui moly shooter to clean it up, going to add liqui molly synthetic hypoid oil 75w-140. Please advise if this needs further repair. Thanks everyone enjoy your easter. God bless everyone.

 

[PGlaves]

DO NOT USE 75W140 LUBE IN THAT FINAL DRIVE. I REPEAT DO NOT!! It is out of spec and can cause final drive damage. Thicker is NOT better. Use 90wt, 80W90wt, or 75W90wt ONLY. The thick oil will under the right temperature and speed conditions wedge out in front of the balls and cause poor lubrication. Do NOT use this out-of-spec oil.

Whether or not the second repair is enough and proper depends on whether it was shimmed/re-shimmed correctly. If so you are good if not then it may fail again. Ask the repair shop what they did: re-shimmed or just bearing replaced.

 

[paxton3x@att.net]

Paperwork from repairs and a article from BMW magazine.

 

[PGlaves]

I don't know who wrote the article about using 75W140 in the final drive but it is out of spec and known to be damaging. I would not do it. But it is your bike so do as you wish but know that it is not as specified for your final drive. It is OK in transmissions.

 

[GTRider]

So, I pulled out the 2017 June issue of BMWON and checked. The article was written by Kurtis Minder, #141660, and is a piece extolling the virtues of LiquiMoly products. At the end of the article it is clearly pointed out that LM products are available through Wunderlich. The claims of extended component life and reduced whine are in the article, tho no research process is outlined nor data included or charted. So, take the article and it’s recommendations as you wish and do as you wish with your own bike.

Personally, the piece reads to me as pretty much a history and marketing piece for LM products and one of their primary vendors, but that’s just my take. Personally, if the bike in question were mine I’d be following the mfgr’s recommendation and sticking with a good 75-90 or 80-90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil. The second paragraph in post #2 contains the most widely recognized cause of repeat failures on these drives, and the ultimate solution.
IMHO, of course.

Best,
DeVern

 

[paxton3x@att.net]

I don't know who wrote the article about using 75W140 in the final drive but it is out of spec and known to be damaging. I would not do it. But it is your bike so do as you wish but know that it is not as specified for your final drive. It is OK in transmissions.

I'm a gambler, I am afraid because of already having two final drive failures at this young age and trusting it, I will try anything at this point. Thank you for your input.

 

[paxton3x@att.net]

So, I pulled out the 2017 June issue of BMWON and checked. The article was written by Kurtis Minder, #141660, and is a piece extolling the virtues of LiquiMoly products. At the end of the article it is clearly pointed out that LM products are available through Wunderlich. The claims of extended component life and reduced whine are in the article, tho no research process is outlined nor data included or charted. So, take the article and it’s recommendations as you wish and do as you wish with your own bike.

Personally, the piece reads to me as pretty much a history and marketing piece for LM products and one of their primary vendors, but that’s just my take. Personally, if the bike in question were mine I’d be following the mfgr’s recommendation and sticking with a good 75-90 or 80-90 GL-5 hypoid gear oil. The second paragraph in post #2 contains the most widely recognized cause of repeat failures on these drives, and the ultimate solution.
IMHO, of course.

Best,
DeVern

I'm a gambler, I am afraid because of already having two final drive failures at this young age and trusting it, I will try anything at this point. It is so bad I am afraid to go long distance's Thank you for your input.

 

[GTRider]

I'm a gambler, I am afraid because of already having two final drive failures at this young age and trusting it, I will try anything at this point. It is so bad I am afraid to go long distance's Thank you for your input.

The gamble being taken is covered in paragraph 2 of post #2, as it poses the question not yet answered: was the drive properly re-shimmed by a knowledgeable BMW technician during the second rebuild? If yes, and if proper spec oil is used and serviced per recommended intervals, the odds are you won’t see further issues. If no, then odds are that no super lube or belief in same will prevent a third occurrence of drive failure. It’s the crucial question in these cases.
Your bike, your dice.

Best,
DeVern

 

[jusbill]

If you want your final drive rebuilt correctly, and guaranteed to be correct, send it to Dave Selvig (saddleman). Here is a testimonial to his work.

Saddleman Final Drive rebuilds

www.bmwlt.com

From a very satisfied customer on a 1999 K1200LT.

 

[bc1100s]

I'm a gambler, I am afraid because of already having two final drive failures at this young age and trusting it, I will try anything at this point. Thank you for your input.

The 2 people giving you advice (PGlaves and gtrider) have more experience with these bikes than 100 others put together - and I may be underestimating that number. You would do well to heed their advice/warnings.

Putting your faith in an article written by someone with no practical experience is just a bad idea. But like others have said - your bike, your dice.

Note: Your bike is a Flying Brick, not a Wedge.