Final Drive Failure NHSTA

[Norwood]

Re-positng from several different BMW related forums....
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After over 145 individual complaints filed between April 2001 and August
2011, the NHSTA has finally opened its first official investigation into the
failure of crown gear bearings on BMW models equipped with the Paralever
style final drive. NHSTA investigation DP12001 opened 1/20/12 is centered
on 1999-2005 K1200LTs for now. But, if the findings are what we all believe
they will be, the scope of the investigation should be expanded. I found
the only way to get NHSTA to listen and focus was to pepper its director,
David Strickland, with repeat letters as well as inquiries from WA Senator
Patty Murray who chairs the subcommittee over funding for the NHSTA. If
you have had a final drive failure on your Paralever equipped BMW, and have
NOT already reported it to the NHSTA, I urge you do it now.

You will need your VIN, (est.) date of failure and mileage. State your
model as well. While they should be able to identify from VIN, their data
was wrong 50% of the time. Specify if gear oil leaked.
www.safercar.org

or call (888) 327-4236

or mail to:

NHSTA

Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210)

West Building

1200 New Jersey Ave SE

Washington DC 20590

In your complaint, select "Power Train" as the component and reference that
you have had the same failure as described in ODI No. 10439549, and
currently being investigated under Campaign DP12001.

Send an email to your Congressman and US Senator to follow up on your behalf as well.

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You will be given a Case number and response from NHSTA has been quick....also as you have read.... should the NHSTA fine a trend, it is expected to filter over to over models as well... so document your case.

Hope this helps someone....

[Bikebum]

Thanks, Don. This is good info for folks like me and Tommy Z., Don Little, Etc.

[R90srider]

Thanks Don. Every K1200LT club member I know, had a final drive failure.

Bob

[Bikebum]

You are right, Bob. And most had more than one failure; I had two but Tommy Zeringue had five (in two hundred thousand+ miles). Does this mean that BMW is finally going to admit that there is a problem?

[BMWWANDRR]

Finally. And to think I was looking at a wing today with a factory 7 year, unlimited mileage warranty. BMW needs to step up to the plate. My last failure on the road cost me almost $7000 in repairs, finding a dealer, and flying back and forth. Burn me once...

[R90srider]

Unfortunately, Jamie, only if they are drug kicking and screaming will they admit that there is serious problem with their engineering of the final drives.

[jdubeemer]

Unfortunately, Jamie, only if they are drug kicking and screaming will they admit that there is serious problem with their engineering of the final drives.

I don't think they will ever admit it Bob, ask me how I know about stubborn Germans.

[Gail]

ask me how I know about stubborn Germans.

Careful there Jim! Gail

[R90srider]

Hey Gail. Just because Suz is first generation German, Jim could not have been referring to that fine lady.