K1100 final drive taper roller bearing, short life!!

[KCinSB]

I replaced the pivot bearings in the final drive housing a few years back, and they are worn and rough again!  I am not an Iron Butt guy, just local and commute riding. I'd have to WAG they have 30,000mi on them. Is this common, or maybe others just don't look to find out?  I seem to recall there was an ad in the BMW MOA magazine, ( back when I still got it), that was for some kind of replacement.  I think the idea was to replace the taper roller bearing with a tapered bushing of some type. Does anyone know about that?

[Rick G]

Those bearings do have a very short life.
Rubber chicken racing make replacement bushes from bronze but they too have a short life. http://rubberchickenracinggarage.com/bushings.html
Best thing is regular cleaning and regreasing wether bearings or bushes

[KCinSB]

Thanks for the Link!  That is what I was thinking of all right.    KC

[CubPilot]

The issue with these bearings is the load is not symmetrical even with careful pre-loading.  It is concentrated in a small area, and always in that area.  These bearing, or bushings and pins all have the same problem.   They are not allowed any continuous rotation, it is just back and forth in the same small segment of the bearing and race.  I remove mine once every year and rotate the race 1/3 turn and re-install.   With the pin and bushing from Rubber Chicken Racing it is the same issue.   Only the ware pattern is easier to see.   Keeping them well lubed with a good high pressure grease will help.  When you consider the load and the radius of movement there are not a lot of choices.  All things considered, it is still a good system.