Cracked transmission case

[bonanza_stu]

My 99 R1100R transmission case cracked at the right rear frame mount, it actually tore the cast boss from the case. Dealer repair $1300.00+. This bike has only 20,000 miles on it. BMW gave me 10% off the new case. Is transmission case cracking an on going problem? My dealer has an 02 loaner bile with the same problem. Does anyone know if this is a wide spread problem or know the cause?

[DJ Downunder]

I've not heard of it before.

DJ

[TX2Step]

I've not heard of it before.

DJ

Neither have I. Are you the original owner? Do you know if the bike has ever been hit or dropped? It looks like a good whack on the rear subframe could possibly break that boss off. Also, I think the R1100RT and R1100GS models used the same transmission case in case you want to do some checkin' on those models.

[bonanza_stu]

I'm not the original owner. Bought the bike with 5000 mi. No sign of being dropped or wacked. I thought it strange to find 2-bikes in the same dealership with the same problem.

[telliott]

Can you post a photo?
thanks

[riceburner]

My 99 R1100R transmission case cracked at the right rear frame mount, it actually tore the cast boss from the case. Dealer repair $1300.00+. This bike has only 20,000 miles on it. BMW gave me 10% off the new case. Is transmission case cracking an on going problem? My dealer has an 02 loaner bile with the same problem. Does anyone know if this is a wide spread problem or know the cause?

Never seen that before.


Given that it's the same dealer - could it possible be something to do with the way they handle the bikes?? Maybe they're using a powered wrench to do up the bolts there to stupidly high torque??

Or possibly the bolts are too long and are thus hitting the end of the hole? (is that a blind hole or not, I don't know.)

[metemax]

same thing happened to me
did not even hit the pothole that hard
not sure what to do
do not want to spend 1300 plus
what did u do
[email protected]

[owldaddy]

Talk to a welder, perhaps they can fix you up. That would certainly be cheaper if they can.

[macx]

A welder who has tig welding skill and equipment should be able to do it.
A machine with high frequency capability would be best as it helps keep
the weld clean as it's being made to avoid impurities remaining in the weld.

He'd have to use the correct alloy filler metal - there are lots of different
aluminum alloys used in castings like that. I once did a search on that for
modifying an automotive intake manifold, there is pretty good info available
that way. It wouldn't necessarily ID the exact part but at least give the
usual alloy used for that type of application, i.e. transmission case.

Only other thing I can think of would be to replace the whole unit with a
good used one which can be had for about 1/2 the price of new, then
advertise and sell the internal parts to recoup some of the cost. Those parts
are expensive so should fetch a decent price, altho it might take awhile.
Check Beemerboneyard of course, and do a search for other cycle salvage
outfits. There are several that sell on eBay frequently and you could email
and ask them what they have available if BBY doesn't have one. Also there
are a somewhat surprising number of BMW parts available on eBay regularly.

[Lion_Lady]

I'm not the original owner. Bought the bike with 5000 mi. No sign of being dropped or wacked. I thought it strange to find 2-bikes in the same dealership with the same problem.

This sounds like something that should be addressed with BMWNA. Not by you, but the dealer. When my f650CS proved to have a "porous" engine case casting (developed a VERY slow oil drip @7K miles), the dealer shop manager got BMWNA involved. With some prodding, BMW replaced the engine case under warranty.

P