Levo Gen 3 Brose pre-emptive motor service

[Bike Gorilla]

Has anyone sent off their motor for a pre-emptive service, or to have it upgraded? For me, it would be sent to the ebike repair centre in the UK, but let us know about experiences in other countries too.

I wanted to know if you think it is worth it?
Did it come back quieter?
Have you had any problems since?

Cheers

 

[steve_sordy]

I'm torn between "a stitch in time saves nine" and "don't fix what isn't broken". I was thinking of sending the motor off while I was away on hols (the stitch in time approach"). My guy at the LBS said that the BB is absolutely rock solid and you have no unusual noises from the motor, leave it alone! (the "don't fix what isn't broken" approach).

The motor has been flawless since I bought it 3 years and 8 months ago. So I decided to leave well enough alone.

If it does decide to start making odd noises, I'll take that as a signal and send it for a service. Nothing will be broken, just worn, so it should be a standard service. If I can find a place that will service a Shimano EP8!

 

[Bike Gorilla]

This is my 3rd motor (and most reliable) and I’m out of warranty now by a year, so I was thinking of a kind of due diligence approach. I think it runs ok, but might be louder by the end of the ride, which is what sparked my thinking…..

 

[steve_sordy]

This is my 3rd motor (and most reliable) and I’m out of warranty now by a year, so I was thinking of a kind of due diligence approach. I think it runs ok, but might be louder by the end of the ride, which is what sparked my thinking…..

Things are different for Bosch motors, there is an industry out there that services them. One of the guys on here I think he's known as Bearing Man is well regarded for this work.

 

[irie]

Things are different for Bosch motors, there is an industry out there that services them. One of the guys on here I think he's known as Bearing Man is well regarded for this work.

Did preventive service on our out of warranty Bosch CX Gen 4 motors in August 2024. Recommended.

Edit: preventive.

 

[Jase]

I have just got my Brose back for my Gen 3 Levo. My first motor broke and was replaced under warranty at about 1400 miles on it. When it was replaced I did think about getting it sent off and upgraded, but I had the remaining warranty. A new motor does not come with another two years, only warranted until the two year bike warranty is up. So I sent the newish one away, back in all working fine, upgraded for UK conditions hopefully. Years warranty. So for the cost of the upgrade happy so far.

 

[Snrbrtsn]

I’m very like minded.
I’m on my third motor, which performs flawlessly albeit out of warranty now!

I was meant to remove and service over winter, missed that boat, think I’m now on 5500 miles, longest a motor has lasted, typically 2500/3000 miles, I’m sure, I shall get the summer out of it

 

[James_C]

I had a my 3rd motor fitted under warranty, (excessive noise), then immediately took it to ebike motor centre the same day for a booked in "while you wait" upgrade service. Bike was 4 years old (2020 extended warranty model) at that point so Spesh wouldnt have done any more replacements. tbh I did have a couple of failures after that, at about the 6 week mark each time. ebike motor centre warranty fixed then replaced the crankshaft which they thought might be slightly out of tolerance. This was done via post, and I actually had the motor back in the bike 3 days later and back riding. Since then its been 9 months I think ish and hasn't failed again and Ive used it for all the same stuff I always have been before. I think I just got unlucky motor.

If yours is noisy and out of warranty, I would send it straight away, it will only get worse and chew more parts up otherwise. Mine whined when hot, it got louder and louder, and people started looking round and commenting. Also the power seemed to come and go.

ebike motor centre warranty for 1 year after the upgrade service. You might be lucky and the bad bearings might be the ones they upgrade anyway, meaning you only pay the £186 or whatever it is.

 

[tjl5709]

I'm glad you posted this as I am trying to figure out what direction I want to take. My gen 3 is now out of warranty. It has 1500 km and runs fine. But I would like to target the known weakness which is water/dirt intrusion via the crank shaft. I've scoured the web looking for as much info as I can get on these motors since I work on my bike. It would be nice to have this post turned into a sticky to share info and ideas on these things. It's like these things are some kind of magical black box that only "select" people get to work on.

 

[Jase]

I'm glad you posted this as I am trying to figure out what direction I want to take. My gen 3 is now out of warranty. It has 1500 km and runs fine. But I would like to target the known weakness which is water/dirt intrusion via the crank shaft. I've scoured the web looking for as much info as I can get on these motors since I work on my bike. It would be nice to have this post turned into a sticky to share info and ideas on these things. It's like these things are some kind of magical black box that only "select" people get to work on.

Have a look on the Ebike motor centre site, they have a you tube video of the Brose upgrade service. EMBN also had some good videos with these guys. I have spoken with them and they are helpful and very knowledgeable

 

[tjl5709]

Have a look on the Ebike motor centre site, they have a you tube video of the Brose upgrade service. EMBN also had some good videos with these guys. I have spoken with them and they are helpful and very knowledgeable

I have watched the videos of both theirs, and some folks who have done their own. It appears to me that the service center in Europe is much more supportive on outside discussions. USA not so much.

 

[Binhill1]

I was looking at the rebuild prices ,is there any way of knowing if you have a new or old style belt in Smag Brose motor. How do you work out manufacturer's build date I can't remember.

 

[Trev]

Has anyone sent off their motor for a pre-emptive service, or to have it upgraded? For me, it would be sent to the ebike repair centre in the UK, but let us know about experiences in other countries too.

I wanted to know if you think it is worth it?
Did it come back quieter?
Have you had any problems since?

Cheers

I was thinking the same thing, as soon as my warranty is up, Iam sending it to them, mainly for the full works off them, peace of mind,

 

[Binhill1]

I was thinking the same thing, as soon as my warranty is up, Iam sending it to them, mainly for the full works off them, peace of mind,

They sell a reconditioned Brose with upgrade , I think 500 ish I was quoted trading in my old brose

 

[High Rock Ruti]

Has anyone sent off their motor for a pre-emptive service, or to have it upgraded? For me, it would be sent to the ebike repair centre in the UK, but let us know about experiences in other countries too.

I wanted to know if you think it is worth it?
Did it come back quieter?
Have you had any problems since?

Cheers

High Rock Ruti

After Specialized finally said no to a warranty claim, I sent my motor too be rebuilt in Tennessee. The experience was seamless, I've only put a few miles on and perhaps the motor feels a little less powerful, but works great. The folks are fantastic, friendly and professional. Brose is a crap motor, 10 failures across 3 bikes and 10 years on Levo's. Wonderful bike, the most sorted bike sold, just those motors are terrible.

Warm Regards Ruti

 

[irie]

... Brose is a crap motor, 10 failures across 3 bikes and 10 years ..,

10 failures in 10 years?

 

[Binhill1]

10 failures in 10 years?

I'm 3 replacements in just under 6 years . 3500 miles on number 4 now I'm scared to go out .

 

[Tribey]

Has anyone sent off their motor for a pre-emptive service, or to have it upgraded? For me, it would be sent to the ebike repair centre in the UK, but let us know about experiences in other countries too.

I wanted to know if you think it is worth it?
Did it come back quieter?
Have you had any problems since?

Cheers

12 months ago my riding pal with a Bosch Gen2 motor had a clearly poorly sounding motor, so I recommended he contact the UK ebike Motor Centre.
He was very soon due to go on holiday with his bike, and there wasn't enough turnaround time for the centre to complete the service, but they were happy to supply all the bearings & seals that he would likely need to do it himself.

He got the bearing kit the next day in the post, opened up his motor and commented that it looked like it had been in the harbour for a while!
He replaced the necessary bearings and seals and it's been fine since.

Seeing as I ride with him all year round, mainly on or around Dartmoor, and although my motor was making no noises, I decided that my 4 year old Gen4 might benefit from a service too, so I sent it away to the ebike Motor Centre for them to service it.
Their service was actually cheaper, £151, than the full bearing and seal kit my mate bought, because they supplied everything he may need, but he didn't actually need it all. The e-bike centre service only replaces the bits they feel it needs, my motor did show signs of water ingress, and a couple of bearings were replaced.
My motor is quiet and faultless and I'll happily use the UK e-bike Motor Centre again.
Now I've just got to decide how long I wait to do another pre-emptive service.

 

[High Rock Ruti]

10 failures in 10 years?

Hello

Yes you read correctly from 2016 to 2024 3 separate Levo's 10 motors. Two full refunds too. Specialized has been outstanding about standing behind the various bikes. The very reason I considered buying replacements Levo's, that and it's a great riding bike. I think that the current design is being outpaced by other brand's, I'm riding an Orbea team wild ltd now
The Bosch Race motor is really a great motor, although the Tennessee Motor Repair reports he's seeing early failures of the race motor, more power than the internal components can handle, I've gotten about 1000 miles so far, not skipped beat yet.

Warm Regards Ruti

 

[irie]

I'm 3 replacements in just under 6 years . 3500 miles on number 4 now I'm scared to go out .

Fook!

 

[irie]

Now I've just got to decide how long I wait to do another pre-emptive service.

Doing ours once a year - last service was August 2024 so next will be August 2025.

 

[KTMJack]

Has anyone sent off their motor for a pre-emptive service, or to have it upgraded? For me, it would be sent to the ebike repair centre in the UK, but let us know about experiences in other countries too.

I wanted to know if you think it is worth it?
Did it come back quieter?
Have you had any problems since?

Cheers

The motor is tough and last a long time My wifes 22 Turbo Levo she put 9000 miles on it Then it got hit by a car

 

[James_C]

Doing ours once a year - last service was August 2024 so next will be August 2025.

which motor do you have, and are you having the upgrade service done? What are they finding that needs doing every year? I was thinking along the same lines... preemptive service...

 

[irie]

which motor do you have, and are you having the upgrade service done? What are they finding that needs doing every year? I was thinking along the same lines... preemptive service...

Dropped off our January 2022 Trek Rail 5's to have the motors serviced at eBike Motor Centre

My Large has done over 3,000 miles and wife's Medium has done over 1,000 miles. Now out of warranty so time for some TLC from @Bearing Man "Bosch Gen 4 Motor Upgrade" plus anything else they think should be replaced. Said they need not ask me if something should or should not be done, if they...

www.emtbforums.com

 

[Binhill1]

Dropped off our January 2022 Trek Rail 5's to have the motors serviced at eBike Motor Centre

My Large has done over 3,000 miles and wife's Medium has done over 1,000 miles. Now out of warranty so time for some TLC from @Bearing Man "Bosch Gen 4 Motor Upgrade" plus anything else they think should be replaced. Said they need not ask me if something should or should not be done, if they...

www.emtbforums.com

Yes I spoke to them last week a overhaul ,upgrade and new casings 400 I think he said. Someone localish coming to look at mine next week so hopefully it goes ,well used and frame plenty scoors on it .

 

[Bike Gorilla]

which motor do you have, and are you having the upgrade service done? What are they finding that needs doing every year? I was thinking along the same lines... preemptive service...

I would probably let them take a look, but definitely have the upgraded seals and new sprag clutches fitted. Mine is a 2.2 so I assume it has the new carbon fibre belt?

 

[tjl5709]

I am in the middle of giving my 2023 Levo Expert a 2 year walk thru / cleaning with the intension of repacking the rear suspension bearings & doing fork maintenance. To get the rear triangle out to look at the main pivot bearing I had to drop the motor, so it got a much needed cleaning as well. My main issue where I ride is dust/grit. I considered sending the motor to upgrade it, but after cleaning, it is in really good shape. I can feel no binding or hear no grinding. Everything turns smooth. Looking over the crank shaft, I can clearly see the weak point for water/dust intrusion. Both sides really need a seal. I have a couple o-ring kits in my shop and played around with some to see about fit and sizing options, and it is an easy option to install some. I went online and found a supplier for some x-rings. When I fit them out, I will post sizing on what I did. I learned a lot about the bike. Side note, the bearings on the rear suspension are not well greased and there are some design weaknesses that can allow water to get trapped leading to water intrusion.

 

[Bike Gorilla]

I am in the middle of giving my 2023 Levo Expert a 2 year walk thru / cleaning with the intension of repacking the rear suspension bearings & doing fork maintenance. To get the rear triangle out to look at the main pivot bearing I had to drop the motor, so it got a much needed cleaning as well. My main issue where I ride is dust/grit. I considered sending the motor to upgrade it, but after cleaning, it is in really good shape. I can feel no binding or hear no grinding. Everything turns smooth. Looking over the crank shaft, I can clearly see the weak point for water/dust intrusion. Both sides really need a seal. I have a couple o-ring kits in my shop and played around with some to see about fit and sizing options, and it is an easy option to install some. I went online and found a supplier for some x-rings. When I fit them out, I will post sizing on what I did. I learned a lot about the bike. Side note, the bearings on the rear suspension are not well greased and there are some design weaknesses that can allow water to get trapped leading to water intrusion.

Nice one.
I was going to make a comment about you not being in the UK with dust problems, but we’ve got really good weather at the moment and trails are dry and dusty!