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Author Topic: Final drive seals  (Read 2241 times)

Offline red2000

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Final drive seals
« on: November 21, 2011, 10:24:09 AM »
I have had a very slow leak in my final drive that will be getting some attention this winter.  It's only enough of a leak to collect dust and make things ugly and hard to clean, fluid level is fine.  I've been studying my service manual to see how difficult this might be to resolve but there is one seal I haven't quite figured out.  It is the one on the left hand side of the pumkin behind a bearing race.  Do any of you guys know what the ID of this seal rides on.  Is it sealing against the axle?  I just wonder if I nicked this seal with the axle during a wheel dismount/mount.  The manual says the race requires a special tool for removal, hopefully I won't have to go after this one.  What other seals are problematic on the pumkin?

Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks,
Todd
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2011, 01:37:25 PM »
Can you tell where your leak is coming from or where it starts?  The front o-ring at the pinion is the common one that gets nicked then deposites a film where the pumpkin meets the swingarm with the four bolts and collects a lot of black dirt.  Its easy to roll a new one on (buy two so you have one for later).  I have had to replace the big seal (maybe 5" diameter) that surrounds the spline on the pumpkin.  Pretty simple job.  There is another seal (o-ring) inside that seals the axle shaft area (I don't know if it actually touches the axle, probably not) but it is above the fluid line and I would think wouldn't leak that easily.

Frank
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Offline red2000

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2011, 02:10:01 PM »
It's difficult to say where it's coming from, it covers most of the bottom of the pumpkin.  In some ways it looks like it could be coming from the fill port or the left side of the axle.  But there is oil/dirt further forward too.  I'll poke around a little more when I get a chance.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2011, 02:18:41 PM »
Clean it down real good (gasoline and a rag until no more residue), top it up if needed, then keep an eye on it for where it starts from.  Use clean white tissue paper to touch around it after a ride as this will show up small amounts before your eyes will detect it.  You can do the same thing with a hard to find leaky coolant hose by the way (use hot water to clean it down not gas).

It is probably the front pinion o-ring.  When the big seal goes it tends to drip on your tire when parked (on the side stand) and eventually pollutes your rear wheel into a greasy mess.  The fill cover has an o-ring also.  Becareful with the cover, it is cast aluminum, a few people have posted that they broke it while tightening.
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Offline jworth

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2011, 04:55:15 PM »
Or my favorite, brake parts cleaner if you don't want to smell like a gas station for a week.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2011, 06:18:14 AM »
Watch that brake clean, it can and will dissolve paint if left on too long or used too much.  Carb cleaner will damage paint too.
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Offline red2000

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2011, 08:17:47 AM »
Thanks for the input guys.  I have some seals coming to me, maybe I'll get a chance to work on it over the holiday weekend.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2011, 08:34:30 AM »
Oops.  Probably should have mentioned the obvious in the beginning.  Make sure it isn't over filled.  The eyeball method is to put it on the centerstand and fill it until it is just at the bottom of the fill hole.  DOT NOT rotate the wheel while doing this.  Counter clock wise will push oil out, the opposite direction make it look low.  If it is overfilled it will usually leak at the front of the swing arm by the motor.
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“I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe.” - George Washington

Offline red2000

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2011, 08:52:22 PM »
I just got done pulling the pumkin apart, the seals look perfect.  Grrrrrrr.  I'll replace them anyway with the new seals I'm getting.  I still wonder if it's just leaking at the fill cover.  Sure is a mess though, all the way up to the pinion housing.
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Offline Motor Head

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #9 on: November 24, 2011, 09:17:24 PM »
 As previously stated the O-Ring is a common leak. Here is a picture of the assy. Ultra grey Silicone, on the O-ring, doubt it would ever leak again.
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Offline RFH87_Connie

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #10 on: November 25, 2011, 06:05:16 AM »
I believe the one that might be your leak is the 92055 o-ring that rolls onto the pinion 42034.  Hopefully i got this right, i'm on my phone.  No sealant is required, it usually gets nicked when the pumpkin is put back on.  Did that one look OK?
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“I can truly say I had rather be at home at Mount Vernon with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of State and the representatives of every power of Europe.” - George Washington

Offline red2000

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2011, 11:29:47 AM »
RFH,
I haven't looked closely at that one yet.  I just got my seals,I'll check it out today. 
thx
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Offline red2000

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Re: Final drive seals
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2011, 12:02:02 PM »
Well, I replaced three o-rings, 92055, 92055A and 92055B in the diagram above.  The old o-rings looked and felt perfect but I did use some of the ultra grey silicone on 92055 as recommended.  Also use some of the grey silicone on the fill and drain plugs.  Oh, the crush washer was missing from the drain plug.  Doh!  It's been that way since I got the bike I'm sure.  There won't be many more chances for testing here in Illinois this year so I may have to wait and see.  Thanks for your help guys.
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