Let us start a class action lawsiut! Not really. But look!

Post by **OU812** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:33 am

The numerous postings I have seen about the clutch slave cylinder failures are really getting to me. I truly believe there should be/have been a recall on this major problem that affects all the BMW's using said part. The fact that it destroys the clutch plate(fluid contamination) it is a expensive repair. Another thing is when you replace it with a new one, YOU must drill a weep hole for the fluid to leak away from the clutch plate. BMW has yet to address this issue as well! Maybe they think if they retrofit the slave, they would be admitting to the problem.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 2:22 pm

I cant help but wonder if them not fixing this problem is in the interest of their service departments and even more money in their pockets.

It's an even bigger issue for R1100R owners because there is no felt washer and any failure is instant clutch damage....The buggers!!

DJ

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:38 pm

Personally, I'd rather see a class action suit for the cheap fuel line crimps and quick disconnects!

ebincia · Post by **ebincia** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:12 am

R4R&R wrote:Personally, I'd rather see a class action suit for the cheap fuel line crimps and quick disconnects!

Nah! It is the finl drive failures that we really need to go after.

Post by **mcooperstein** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:45 am

I guess I've been away from this site too long! Whats this about a clutch plate failure? What model bikes/year is affected? Please elaborate.

mark
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member #3

Post by **MikeCam** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:07 am

Mark,

It's nothing. Internet chatter leads to fear of failure.

Post by **Boxer** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:42 am

Besides, it doesn't apply to your bike. Only to those bikes ridden by one legged Pirates along steep mountain roads in Kansas.

Post by **OU812** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:52 am

I have owned 35 motorcycles. 5 BMW's. I think BMW makes the best! Again, BMW ignores problems that are not safety related. I think that irks owners that have/will have to pay for those shortcomings.
I did not start this tread to do anything but bring to light the pathetic ignorance of BMW. They ignore problems with their products as long as it is not a safety issue. The slave needs to be redesigned. Period. The buyers should not have to be super intelligent to know which bikes are best. BMW has dropped the ball on this and the FD failures that have occurred in numbers not acceptable by any reasonable standard.(Unless you live in China).

I do not want to sue anyone. I just want BMW to address these issues, as I am sure many of us do.

Post by **CycleRob** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:26 am

Even when it IS a safety issue (clamp & QD leaks/failures) they STILL don't fix it properly i.e. replacement of inferior parts with quality ones.

Post by **OU812** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:59 am

yes Rob you are correct again.

Post by **OU812** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:48 am

This was sent to me from a member on the MOA site:

"If you have problems with BMW and you feel that BMW is not fixing the problem, then you should report a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

I talked with Laurence Long a Program Engineer 202-366-6281 for the Office of Defects Investigation, I mentioned the defects that BMW Motorcycles is having and he would like to here from you.

For Motorcycles, you can also call:
1-877-536-8368 X66281

I have heard a lot about the final drives seals and slave cylinder problems and defects. These problems should be covered under warranty. Customer should not pay a dime for this defect. BMW needs to fix these problems! RECALL.

My .02, I think that BMW has the best MC. I would not go after BMW. I would hope that BMW would at least acknowledge this and just fix the problems. The arrogant German attitude seems to be the biggest problem."

I thought it may be an option.

Post by **MikeCam** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:25 am

Steve,

I have seen only one documented case of a clutch slave cylinder failure. I have seen several discussions that indicate the problem is failure to renew clutch fluid (a user responsibility) that leads to excessive contaminates which settle into the cylinder and cause corrosive failure over time. That is not actionable under class rules - there is no class.

The fuel line crimps and QD issue could arguably lead to a class. It is better documented, and indicates a lapse on the part of BMW AG to address a significant safety issue. But unless each member of the potential class has taken their bike to an authorized dealer to have the Tech Bulletin fix applied AND can defend the expected claim that shoddy user removal of the gas tank caused any failure to the fuel lines, then that class might not go very far.

The spline lubrication issue, the Final Drive bearing issue, and the mal-aligned transmission bell housing issue are better documented and significant to a larger class of potential claimants, yet even those have barriers to mounting a successful action.

Individually, obsessive attention to maintenance items, good quality procedures, and documented interaction with dealer services are the owners' best approach to successfully resolving any mechanical failures that occur to one's bike.

Informing the feds about a problem that you've heard about but that has not happened to you is a nice bureaucratic paper drill that clutters the system and ultimately delays action on real issues.

Post by **OU812** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:35 am

I just wanted to show what a rider sent me. I have not had a catastrophic failure of any kind on any of my BMW's. I never had more then 30K on any of them either. I know some riders could never afford one out of warranty. I would devastate some riders to the point of missing a season of riding. I do think the FD issue is more relevant to design flaws. The LT's seem to have a larger failure rate(maybe because of the weight).
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31969