FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I serviced my final drive and found exactly what I suspected I would. I did`nt think the V.S.S. would act as a metal collection center. Now lets hear your opinions on LifeTime Lube. Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 Pic`s.... How small do they need to be. 133k is small. How much snaller do I need to go. Link to comment
lawnchairboy Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 pardon my ignorance, what exactly are we looking at in the attachment, looks like a plug from somewhere in rear drive (where) with metal shavings on it? Link to comment
David_S Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 That's the rear ABS sensor. It's a magnet so it attracts the metal particles off the gears in the final drive. It's not un-common to find metal in one that hasn't had the fluid changed. It's too bad that BMW didn't put a magnetic plug in the drive unit. Too much of that and I would expect an ABS code to set. I’m not a believer in lifetime fluid. Any time you have gears running together your going to get metal wearing off especially during the first few thousand miles. I changed mine at 6k miles and will do it every 12k along with my trans. Link to comment
JohnH Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 If you can run your car 200,000 mi. on the factory differential lube, why not your motorcycle. The final drive on the bike is a lot less mechanically complex than the one on your car. Link to comment
David_S Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 I wouldn't consider running a car 200,000 miles. If you do consider yourself lucky Also most autos have a magnetic drain plug to catch the metal and keep it at the bottom. The ABS sensor in the attachment is at the top. I wonder how long particles have to float around getting ground up between the gears before their lucky enough to get slung up to the sensor and get caught. I prefer to change lubricant in anything that will produce metal filings during break in withing several thousand miles. But that's just me Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 9, 2006 Author Share Posted January 9, 2006 200K I think NOT I have had the privilege of fixing too many Auto/Truck diff`s. Some will run longer that others but on average if you don``t service them they will have problems sooner. Link to comment
St0nkingByte Posted January 9, 2006 Share Posted January 9, 2006 What's a good point after breakin at which to change the 'lifetime' final drive lube? After seeing the pic I'm going to do mine for sure, maybe at the first 6k service? Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 10, 2006 Author Share Posted January 10, 2006 That`s a good time. I waited until 20K. I did the trans and oil at the first 1K So now I run it at 20K for all. And I have moved my oil changes up to 4K from 3K. I would advise if your going to do it yourself to run it 30 miles or so then drain it while it`s warm and the fluid has not had time to settle. Link to comment
Merch Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Anyone know a source for magnetic plugs for the gearbox and rear drive? I'd like to pop them in before I refill. FWIW, I just drained my gearbox (6k) and found the fill plug WAY too tight and the drain plug not much more than finger tight. So much for the dealer's 600 mile check! Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Anyone know a source for magnetic plugs for the gearbox and rear drive? I'd like to pop them in before I refill. FWIW, I just drained my gearbox (6k) and found the fill plug WAY too tight and the drain plug not much more than finger tight. So much for the dealer's 600 mile check! Which is why I do ALL my own work. I'll wait on the trans and FD and do them at 36K. Seems like a good compromise, and no worries about warranty claim issues that way. Jim Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 11, 2006 Author Share Posted January 11, 2006 Amen on the do it yourself. I would not wait until 36K after seeing mine at 20K Link to comment
David_S Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 Mine had quite a bit of metal at 6k. I wouldn't worry about warranty as there really wouldn't be any way for the dealer to tell that it had been changed. Plus if it's going to fail you'll want it to be before 36k miles Link to comment
Merch Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 First ride today after changing the gear lube w/synthetic. OMG.....I couldn't believe the difference. I ran a local road to the office instead of the interstate and every shift was smoother than it ever has been. Final drive is next....just on principle. Link to comment
lawnchairboy Posted January 11, 2006 Share Posted January 11, 2006 thanks for posting, any other pics/tips or how to's for the masses? chris Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 11, 2006 Author Share Posted January 11, 2006 Just make sure to do the trans too. Nothing else to go over at this point. If you have any specific questions feel free. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Mine had quite a bit of metal at 6k. I wouldn't worry about warranty as there really wouldn't be any way for the dealer to tell that it had been changed. Plus if it's going to fail you'll want it to be before 36k miles I guess it depends on what you put in it. The dealer surely will know if your lube is a different color than the stock lube. I'm pretty confident the lube will be fine for 36K. Auto rear ends go that long and more before changing the fluids, some with the trans. Jim Link to comment
David_S Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Unless your putting in some redline or something with an exotic color they all look the same after a few miles. I'm not trying to convince you but I don't want other folks who prefer to change theirs being scared off Link to comment
Tourbike Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Since there is no drain plug, how are you draining the fd. Where are the pictures and instructions for doing this job? Link to comment
Tourbike Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I saw the attachment, but still wonder how you drain the fd? Link to comment
Ken H. Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 still wonder how you drain the fd? See this thread - FD Draining Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 14, 2006 Author Share Posted January 14, 2006 You tilt the drive down and pull the plug. Link to comment
Ken H. Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 You got my curiosity up, so yesterday I pulled mine. FWIW it was clean as a whistle. Whew! Great way to monitor the health of your FD though! Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 How many miles on yours? Link to comment
FIRST_BEEMER Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 I would service it a 20K as I did. See what she looks like then Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.