Any life left?

[Udor1234]

Hi,

Took apart the FD to inspect the splines. Do you think there is any life left?

[frankenduck]

Yes, there's some life left. When they get this worn you are near the end:

[Laitch]

Where'd all the grit on the splines come from?

[Chaos]

I had some that looked like Frankenduck's, cleaned and lubed them and took it easy when riding.  They're still good after a couple years but knowing they're on the edge of imminent demise makes every trip an adventure.

[Udor1234]

Where'd all the grit on the splines come from?

It's grease. I think it looks gritty I because the previous owner didn't maintain it properly and the grease was actually shiny (meaning its full of micro metallic particles!)

[Udor1234]

Thanks everyone. I'll properly look after it and hopefully get a few more 1000 miles out of it.

[Laitch]

Be certain that those both sets of splines are clean and thoroughly dry then brush or rub on this stuff. It's no use to to apply it like cake frosting. 

[Udor1234]

Be certain that those both sets of splines are clean and thoroughly dry then brush or rub on this stuff. It's no use to to apply it like cake frosting. 

Thanks bro. Does anyone have any pics of how much should be put on looks like?

[Laitch]

This is how frankenduck does it.




This is the method I follow.

Everybody else is either using one of those methods or or something in between them.  The main thing is that the splines are clean and thoroughly dry so the thin film of molybdenum that is applied from the paste will bond to the metal surfaces instead of sliding over debris on the surfaces then being cast off with the rest of the paste when the shafts apply pressure to each other during operation.

[frankenduck]

It's no use to to apply it like cake frosting. 

Splines taste better if you apply it like cake frosting.

[Udor1234]

Update.

Finally got the gearbox off. Spline was dry, with a bit old old grease/oil residue.
There was a sheen of oil at the bottom of the clutch, so I may have done the main seal.
The gearbox side looks ok. Any idea what the splotch is on the gearbox? I doesn't come off with a cloth, it doesn't appear to be grease.

See pics below. Any comments?

[Laitch]

It seems—at the minimum—like a plug in the transmission cover is leaking or entirely missing. Any cover damage cannot be seen yet. Ancient transmission goo that has oozed through the opening has been baked onto the cover. The plug is a five dollar part at MaxBMW.



Besides the main seal, the o-ring around the engine output shaft is also likely to be the source of a low volume leak. The clutch hub splines look ok with only the faintest appearance of sawtooth profile on their tips. You'll discover whether the clutch disc has oil contamination.

[Udor1234]

Thanks mate. Looks like a seal replacement then! Was hoping to avoid it.

[Udor1234]

There is it gents. I assume that since there is oil there, it was leaking?

Should I go OEM seal or the one from here? https://www.tills.de/product-182-895.html

[The Mighty Gryphon]

From my point of view, oil seals are oil seals.  I get them at the local industrial bearing supply house.  There is no special magic to be obtained by paying BMW prices for an oil seal.  After all, aren't you buying a new seal because that high priced "special" factory seal is leaking?

I pay a few cents more for the Viton as they seem to hold up a tiny bit better.

[Udor1234]

Is it normal to have backwards and forwards play in the output shaft?

[Scott_]

Re your question about oil being present at the seal..... 
If you have the crankcase oil level ABOVE the center dot of the fill window, you will have oil setting in the seal area, if it didn't run out when you pulled the transmission... BTDT.
When I pulled my trans the 1st time my oil level was near the top(max line) of the window, as the trans came out, so did the oil. It drained out till the level was just at the top of the dot. Then of course as expected, a little more oil came out when I pulled the seal out.