fe550 2005 main bearing failure

aussiehussa · October 31st, 2006, 12:35 AM

Owner of a fe550 2005 from new.
The bike is great when its going.

My first engine failure happened with a starter clutch failure at 12 weeks old.
My mate purchased a fe550 at the same time and had main engine bearing fail in the first 4 weeks from new.
Now my bike is sitting at the dealer awaiting an answer from Husaberg regarding warranty as my main crank bearings have failed at less than 60hrs (2,000km's) and the bike now is out of warranty.

This is very disappointing having to leave your pride and joy in the forest in the middle of nowhere, then having to be dunk out on the back of a Yamaha for two hours.Then taking 4hrs to recover with a 4wd vehicle the next day.

Not only do I have the worry about costs, but what happens in the future?

Should I expect another failure, and should I pack walking shoes?

AUSBERG · October 31st, 2006, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by aussiehussa

Owner of a fe550 2005 from new.
The bike is great when its going.

My first engine failure happened with a starter clutch failure at 12 weeks old.
My mate purchased a fe550 at the same time and had main engine bearing fail in the first 4 weeks from new.
Now my bike is sitting at the dealer awaiting an answer from Husaberg regarding warranty as my main crank bearings have failed at 60hrs (2,000km's) and the bike now is out of warranty.

This is very disappointing having to leave your pride and joy in the forest in the middle of nowhere, then having to be dunk out on the back of a Yamaha for two hours.Then taking 4hrs to recover with a 4wd vehicle the next day.

Not only do I have the worry about costs, but what happens in the future?

Should I expect another failure, and should I pack walking shoes?

I believe you already know why the mains fail if you kept track of your mates failure-(not enough end float)

Its up to Butmac as to a freebie fix- but consider this- you are out of warranty period, and also mains are listed as 60 hr replacements in the owners manual.I dont think you will get any joy other than maybe parts at dealer cost- but cross your fingers anyway.

Once it is fixed and shimmed correctly, you should have less issues- but keep in mind that recommended 60 hour interval if you ride it hard.

aussiehussa · October 31st, 2006, 01:01 AM

The dealer checked the endfloat less than 12mths ago with the first engine failure, they said then they were a bit tight but should loosen up.
I dont believe I should have to pay for a product problem.
This failure has damaged the piston and other componets. As soon as I heard the rumble I pulled over.The dealer thought I must have kept riding it as "usually they don't do that much damage".The usually bit is a concern!
I remember taking to you back in august 05 when my starter clutch failed and left me high and dry.You weren't happy that you had had a crank bearing failure.

AUSBERG · October 31st, 2006, 01:16 AM

Originally Posted by aussiehussa

I remember taking to you back in august 05 when my starter clutch failed and left me high and dry.You weren't happy that you had had a crank failure.

I didnt even worry about stripping it until last weekend. Found a VERY sad (see gallery) RHS main(suprise suprise, a failed ball main in 650).

If your dealer told you "its a bit tight but should loosen up"in regard to crank end float I'd be expecting them to fix it.
For free.

Simon · October 31st, 2006, 01:19 AM

aussiehussa,

I certainly can't provide you with a future prediction but what worries me considerably is that you say that your dealer said the end float was a bit tight but should loosen up.

How exactly was the end float going to loosen up then? Grind a bit away from the bearing surfaces, bend the crank cases a little or rub away some of the material from the crank itself? Sounds to me like they measured something else.......

Good luck getting it fixed a reliable for the future.

Simon

aussiehussa · October 31st, 2006, 01:39 AM

The only prediction is my wife is due to have a baby in 8 weeks, I've geared up for the lean times of one wage with spare tyres,brakes,chains,oils etc. But didn't allow for the expensive of a failed engine on a bike that cost me AUD $13,500 and only 4mths out of warranty.
If warranty deptarment doesnt lend me a hand, I will struggle to afford to collect the bike from the shop.May have to wash the dishes.

AUSBERG · October 31st, 2006, 10:41 PM

The question is, when your torque limiter failed did it chip/strip any teeth- If so, was the engine dismantled for a thorough cleaning and inspection ?
Or was it just patched up, a quick oil change or two to "flush it out" and now you are reaping the consequenses?

aussiehussa · November 1st, 2006, 12:26 AM

Yes there were broken teeth from the torque limiter floating around inside the engine when the bike stopped the first time 11mths ago.The dealer didn't completely strip the cases, with the first repair.
This is may be the case, why the main bearing failed!

whosahberg · November 1st, 2006, 01:48 AM

sorry to read of your bad experience ,i have heard of a number of 550's having the same trouble as you have .

my 650 had 165 hours when i had it rebuild ,on inspection the bottom end was fine.
but i did it anyway just to be safe .

good luck with husaberg aus ,you will need it !!!

aussiehussa · November 1st, 2006, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by whosahberg

sorry to read of your bad experience ,i have heard of a number of 550's having the same trouble as you have .

my 650 had 165 hours when i had it rebuild ,on inspection the bottom end was fine.
but i did it anyway just to be safe .

good luck with husaberg aus ,you will need it !!!

What part of the country are you hidding in?