Front End Wobble/Rubbing Noise/Instability

[bmwfanatik]

Hello all! New to the forum and would like to introduce myself. I'm bmwfanatik and just recently purchased a used R18B with 3400 miles on it and absolutely LOVE the bike.

Yesterday I had an issue that never happened to me before with any bike ive owned.

While riding at around 40-45mph I heard a sort of clicking noise coming from the front end. Didn't think much of it and continued.

While on highway doing around 65-70, I started to feel the front-end wobble. Not while letting go of the bars, but while holding the bars. I then leaned over and looked at the wheel and it seemed like it wasn't rotating completely straight.

I started to slow down back to 40-45 and proceeded to hear almost like a rubbing sound coming from the front end along with all other symptoms.

I was able to get it to the BMW dealer as I ended up being only 8 miles away and slowly rode there.

This was yesterday, Sunday and today is Monday and the dealer has yet to get it on the lift and diagnose an issue.

Is there anything I should be expecting? I mean, I love love love the bike and really have yet to enjoy my time on it. I want to get it right, but I hope I'm not opening a can of worms here and will pay pay pay and the issue won't be resolved.

Can someone chime in and let me know as to what you think the issue may be?

 

[brownbandit]

I can only share my experience, I have a similar issue with a front end wobble also decelerating.

After 2 months in the shop, checking and changing out bearings in the neck and wheels, the dealer nailed it down to a bad front tire but my issue came back again even after the new tire.

I haven't taken it back yet, but I'm suspecting a bad front wheel all together assuming the dealership did their due diligence on everything else.

Hooe this helps steer you in the right direction, I would check all these points with the dealership and see what they come up with. If you do find the issue let me know as it might be my issue!

 

[Anibal]

Welcome aboard bmwfanatik and congratulations on your new bike. If you just bought the bike I am assuming there is some sort of warranty in place, even on a second hand bike. My B has 9628mls on the clock and I have never experienced none of the symptoms you described. I suspect either the front rim has a small bend, possibly due to a pot hole impact, a counter balance missing, maybe the rim is not tight enough or the tyre has a bump or some other defect.
3400mls is nothing on this bike, she has barely stretched her muscles yet. Insists on a solution under warranty, I much doubt there is a factory defect.
Do you by any chance have the Michelin tyres fitted? Some owners have complained about premature failure and front end noice.
Keep us posted and good luck.

 

[bmwfanatik]

Hey guys thanks for the input. Anibal, I do agree with you that she hasnt even flexed her muscles yet. I dont know what rubber is on there so i cant answer that right now. And brownbandit, I hope my bike doesnt stay there for two months! They did call me today and asked me to describe my symptoms and they will see where they can try and squeeze me in n the schedule. Nevertheless, its in, they are aware of the issue and we can go from there. I hope it gets resolved the first time around.

 

[bmwfanatik]

So, I finally received a call back from BMW with what the issue is. They said its the front wheel bearing thats completely shot and the axle is also shot and started to shave off. They said im beyond lucky that i didnt wipe out. They submitted a case to BMW for the warranty repair and they came back that its a wear item and to further describe issue with pictures and videos showing the problem. We are at that point right now.
Im just besides myself because the bike only has 3500 miles, there was ZERO impact to cause this, no rim or tire damage and BMW is still trying to justify not paying for the claim. Also, the bike was serviced 150 miles ago by BMW and there is no evidence or notes of any tire or wheel removal so they dismissed services error as an issue.
To top things off, they said the parts are not available anywhere in the US and that we need to just wait this out.
Its JULY 1 and my fear of not having the bike is coming true.
I just dont know what else to do.
I even went as far as asking them to find the parts and repair the bike and if I pay, will I be able to get my money back if BMW approves the claim. They dont have an answer for me on that either.
Ive had other BMW bikes and many other manufacturer bikes before in my life and never had to go through anything like this.
Any thoughts?
Thank You in advance guys

 

[brownbandit]

Man completely sucks to hear, I'm assuming the axle got shredded from the failed wheel bearing? I would get the part number for both parts and start looking online or calling other BMW dealerships yourself to see if they have something in stock.

 

[Anibal]

Appalling to say the least. 3500 mls is not enough mileage to break a wheel bearing. Either the bearing was defective, the seals were compromised and water and grit penetrated the bearing (I have seen people blasting the wheels with a jet washer ) or maybe the installation was done wrong. Keep fighting and don’t pay a penny yet. If you do, I feel you will never see your money back. However you should also consider the pros and cons. If the cost of the parts are not mega expensive for you and you rather pay for the parts so that you can use your bike, as opposed to wait from some pen pushers at HQ to approve the warranty work, then by all means you should. Like Browbandit said, shop around and even outside the US, chances are you will find something in Europe or elsewhere. Maybe a salvage yard has the parts.

I just had a look online and they seem to be available at this side of the pond. Although it is for the Roctane, this was just a quick search to test the waters.

Good luck and keep us posted.

https://www.bike-parts-bmw.com/bmw-...-tires/Front-cast-rim/2/2517592/36/6124161241

 

[BER18 100]

Washing a bike with high pressure water is a no-no but many guys do this. I would suspect this kind of problem source. What is the cost of a new stock wheel?

 

[Anibal]

Expensive if you are after wheels.
This is out of the UK
https://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/i...ies-stage.html#/productFilter-modelCodes=0L31;

 

[bmwfanatik]

So, BMW finally got back with more news....

They ordered the parts from Germany because they said they're not available anywhere in their network in the US unless I choose to go aftermarket and then the whole warranty issue and going forward will be void. Lead time is 2-3 weeks!!! They're also still waiting for BMW HQ to approve the claim which is appalling.

I instructed them to still go ahead and do the work as soon as parts get in because it needs to be repaired regardless. But it looks like I'll be without a bike for almost the entire month of July. And there's still a chance I will have to actually pay for this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This just can't be real.......

 

[Keehn]

BMWfanatik, I feel you.

I have a 2022 R18TC (Alcina) that I absolutely love and have no intentions of ever selling. That said, last year, my shifter stopped working. Turns out that BMW forgot to install the circlip that holds the selector shaft from moving in and out of the transmission case.

Now, I have another part of Alcina I need to double-check for proper installation (front wheel bearings)...

Mike

 

[kate_brett]

BMWfanatik, I feel you.

I have a 2022 R18TC (Alcina) that I absolutely love and have no intentions of ever selling. That said, last year, my shifter stopped working. Turns out that BMW forgot to install the circlip that holds the selector shaft from moving in and out of the transmission case.

Now, I have another part of Alcina I need to double-check for proper installation (front wheel bearings)...

Mike

Had similar issue - lost gear selection. My problem occurred 9 months after rear seal replaced in final drive. Dealer technicians reused old circlip ; failed as l entered petrol station ( 2nd into 1st gear ). Roadside service deposited bike to different dealer . These technicians look up history of bike and indicated that ‘ drive shaft kit ‘ that contains NEW circlips not ordered when repair works performed. Driveshaft moved due to failure of circlips. No issues since replacement with new kit.