R1150GS front wheel seal replacement

[simonak3000]

Hi.
Upon inspecting my new R1150GS I found some grease-looking dirt around the front wheel seal on both sides, not much but enough to push me to change my wheel seal in the coming months. Bearings are problably good, ill make sure to check them and advise. When looking at the BMW schematics, I find only one wheel seal on the left side of the wheel. Isn't there supposed to be a seal on each side, one for each bearing?



Pretty sure its number 11 on this picture
As always, thanks for the replies

 

[pglaves]

Hi.
Upon inspecting my new R1150GS I found some grease-looking dirt around the front wheel seal on both sides, not much but enough to push me to change my wheel seal in the coming months. Bearings are problably good, ill make sure to check them and advise. When looking at the BMW schematics, I find only one wheel seal on the left side of the wheel. Isn't there supposed to be a seal on each side, one for each bearing?

View attachment 92275

Pretty sure its number 11 on this picture
As always, thanks for the replies

I don't think so. The bearings themselves are sealed bearings requiring no additional seal. There is a seal that rides against the speedometer drive, sealing that area as the wheel turns. The diagram is deceptive in that the inside diameter of #11 fits around the outside diameter of the lip of #12.

 

[simonak3000]

I don't think so. The bearings themselves are sealed bearings requiring no additional seal. There is a seal that rides against the speedometer drive, sealing that area as the wheel turns. The diagram is deceptive in that the inside diameter of #11 fits around the outside diameter of the lip of #12.

So I was thinking of changing the #11 seal. Maybe just clean everything, leave the bearing in if they are still good, change the seal and put a little bit more grease in?

 

[pglaves]

So I was thinking of changing the #11 seal. Maybe just clean everything, leave the bearing in if they are still good, change the seal and put a little bit more grease in?

Yes! The speedo drive needs grease and the lip of the seal needs grease. I can't be sure but suspect the bearings are just fine.

 

[simonak3000]

Yes! The speedo drive needs grease and the lip of the seal needs grease. I can't be sure but suspect the bearings are just fine.

All right. Normally I make a habit of "While we are there" and change evertything I can but with the price of the parts and the low overall use of this bike, I think I will stick to the seal. Ill change the bearing when the time has come.

Do I need to change part #3 too?

 

[pglaves]

All right. Normally I make a habit of "While we are there" and change evertything I can but with the price of the parts and the low overall use of this bike, I think I will stick to the seal. Ill change the bearing when the time has come.

Do I need to change part #3 too?

Part #3 - No.

Check the bearings by pressing firmly and rotating the inner race. If you feel any gritchiness then replace the bearings. If not - don't bother. I have gotten well over 100,000 miles on at least four different sets of those sealed bearings.

 

[simonak3000]

Part #3 - No.

Check the bearings by pressing firmly and rotating the inner race. If you feel any gritchiness then replace the bearings. If not - don't bother. I have gotten well over 100,000 miles on at least four different sets of those sealed bearings.

Or instead of buying BMW bearings, I could buy SKF ones? I have read that the two bearings are 6204 and 5205