Rusting steering damper - again!

[lewellen]

So back at the 6k mile service (in January) the smiling friendly local dealer replaced the steering damper under warranty, as it was showing some specks of rust on the shaft and starting to leak oil.

Today, during a once-over, I noticed that the damper is starting to rust out again - at just over 8k miles. So I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow to try to arrange for another warranty replacement. Sigh.

Thoughts / comments? I do ride & commute in the rain, but this is ridiculous ... especially since the bike's been in a garage - as opposed to being under a carport - since last October. And this should be a part that, to say the least, should be able to handle weather exposure.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[ka5ysy]

I notice you live in Monterrey CA. Great place !! Question: Do you ride along the coast roads a lot? If so I would guess that you are picking up a lot of salt dust and salt spray from the surf. Even when you do not notice it in a coastal area, salt is everywhere. Perhaps spraying the damper with some WD-40 would avoid the problem. You might also check all the frame areas that you cannot see normally, and look for corrosion in other areas. A good freshwater wash after a ride would probably be a good idea too.

Doug

[NeilS]

The problem is that there are microscopic flaws in the plating on the shaft. The plating resists corrosion, but the plain steel under the plating does not. Not only is it ugly, but the rust spots accelerate the wear of the shaft seal.

I have the same issue with the fork tubes on my old Honda. A periodic application (say once a month or two) of car wax holds the rust at bay, and I can live with that. But that's a 25-year-old bike. If it happens on your RR, it's a QC problem with the supplier, and it should be a warranty repair.

[deilenberger]

BMW had a recall on some specific R12R VIN#'s for the steering damper - with a problem with the plating on the shaft. The plating was coming off and binding up the damper. Apparently some of the ones in the parts stream still were the bad ones. I'd go for another replacement. Once it's out of warranty - Hyperpro will be offering an adjustable replacement, no idea on cost, but Klaus used my bike to get the dimensions needed.