R1100S Transmission Rattle?

[Harry Lime]

Sigh. Beginning to wonder if I'd trust a BMW to get me around the block!

R1100S 2000 vintage. 35000 miles. Main wheel drive bearing replaced @ 30,000, paralver bearings @ 32,000.

Now. at 34,500 it's developed a nasty rattle from somewhere in the transmission.

Best described as a whirring clattery noise when on neutral throttle, i.e. neither accelerating nor decelerating. Also occurs when coasting downhill with clutch in (so it ain't the clutch, methinks.)

Can't tell whether it's from the front or back of the shaft though.

I'm thinking UJ, but opinions based on sound knowledge or experience welcome.

TBH, if it is the UJ and therefore a 4 figure repair, then given the bikes value............the skip beckons, which is a damned shame as otherwise it's a fine bike.

Grrrrr. Lucky I have other bikes to ride...

H.

[nab 301]

I'm thinking UJ, but opinions based on sound knowledge or experience welcome.


H.

I'm not sure about sound knowledge but I'd disagree with you're costing of the repair if it is the uj (based on used parts). However, removing the bevel box is a relatively easy job which would allow the rear uj to be checked and allow you to inspect the front one . Removal of the swingarm isn't too daunting if initial inspection of the front warrants a closer look.
If gearbox removal/ repair is required then I'd agree with your costings.

[Harry Lime]

I'm thinking UJ, but opinions based on sound knowledge or experience welcome.


H.

I'm not sure about sound knowledge but I'd disagree with you're costing of the repair if it is the uj (based on used parts). However, removing the bevel box is a relatively easy job which would allow the rear uj to be checked and allow you to inspect the front one . Removal of the swingarm isn't too daunting if initial inspection of the front warrants a closer look.
If gearbox removal/ repair is required then I'd agree with your costings.

Used moving parts = f*cked moving parts in my experience. You're just replacing a part that went bang with a part that's about to go bang. You just hop on the merry go round of more frequent replacement.

With this issue, the dealer just seems to take money for one maintenance job, which I've happily paid, so far, to cause a problem elsewhere.

Just feeling fleeced.

[dave the german]

Worth looking for an independent mechanic. Local guy stripped all the back end of me BCR to do the 3 oil seals for a smidge over £200. I know gearbox is gonna be more intensive but might be worth a try

[70tno]

Just a long shot, but you had paralever bearings replaced around 3000 miles ago?
I had a similar problem a little while after replacing mine, turned out that I hadn't refitted the drive shaft back onto the gearbox output shaft properly (it's held on by a built-in snap ring) and it had worked its way off slightly.
Result was a chewed up spline in the end of the shaft UJ, but the gearbox spline was ok.
Bought a second-hand shaft somewhere and made sure it went on properly this time! Have done many thousands of miles since without problem.

[Corvus]

Will it make the noise parked on a paddock stand? Just thinking you'd be able to home in better on where exactly the noise is coming from. If it does make the noise, then select neutral. That'll tell you a bit more. You might even feel something spinning the wheel by hand, with the brake caliper off.

Good luck. Hopefully it's easily sorted.

[Harry Lime]

Well, ze dealer has called and him say "S" is fixed and ready for collection.

More tomorrow, but so far, so good (provisional that is )

H.