Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site unc.unc.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!mcnc!unc!jge
From: jge@unc.UUCP (John Eyles)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: how are they putting BMW's together anyhow ?
Message-ID: <1011@unc.unc.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Feb-86 20:00:34 EST
Article-I.D.: unc.1011
Posted: Tue Feb 18 20:00:34 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Feb-86 23:46:50 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: CS Dept, U. of N. Carolina, Chapel Hill
Lines: 27

I posted news a while back complaining about a sticking clutch
on my new R65. The clutch just didn't seem to let go when I
grabbed the lever, making shifting impossible; it was necessary to goose
the throttle to make the clutch break loose before shifting. An identical
symptom in my R75/5 turned out to be due to a wet clutch disk from a leaking
transmission input shaft seal (you'd think that would make it slip).

Well, the local joke of a BMW dealer gave no satisfaction. They adjusted
the shifter linkage an inserted sythetic oil (the synthetic oil does make
the shifting a LOT smoother, provided the clutch is disengaged).

So I pulled the transmission myself, and guess what ...
the clutch splines were bone dry. Everything around the clutch and flywheel
was dry and a little rusty. Inspection of the date of manufacture revealed
that I was disassembling the beast approximately 2 years and 2 months after
it was assembled. I feel quite confident that the clutch splines were NEVER
greased in the first place. I have taken apart very old vehicles and the clutch
splines always are at least a little oily.

So, I heard that the things weren't being put together by real live Germans
anymore, and maybe this is an indication :-)

Is there anything I can do to get some retribution for this outrage ?
Can anyone describe the most EFFECTIVE procedure for complaining about
this to BMW ?

Thanks in advance for any help.