Front crank seal replacement 1150 GSA

[britbike]

Some advice required please,
I've replaced the front crank seal located behind the drive pulley for the alternator belt - 3 attempts the first without wellseal and the second and third with wellseal, I was careful to ensure the seal was not pushed too far into the casing but the bastard's still leaking - not too much but enough to wet the front of the engine casing and drip into the sump guard - any tips? BMW motoraad reckon you can't get it to seal effectively without using the official BMW special tool - sounds like bollox to me - I've fitted loads of seals in loads of locations to loads of different bikes with perfect results and never needed a special tool before - anyone else had a similar experience with this crank seal and if so how can it be overcome.Any PRACTICAL advice welcome!

 

[dancata]

Did you use the OEM seal or a SKF like seal? Because it has to deal with temp down there...

 

[davegs]

leaks

Any wear on the shaft? this will cause leaking on any new seals.

 

[MattW]

OK - first question.
I'm sure you covered this, but just in case - you did preform the seal with your thumbs and have the seal lip pointing the right way before installing?

Not done a front seal myself but this thread and this thread seem to have some good tips from those who know.

 

[britbike]

OK - first question.
I'm sure you covered this, but just in case - you did preform the seal with your thumbs and have the seal lip pointing the right way before installing?

No I didn't - the seal has a semi flexible insert that is an interference fit on the ignition magnets rotor - this may well be the answer - I'll check out the attached links - thanks

 

[britbike]

crank seal

Thanks MattW (and anyone else who chipped in) it looks as if the inner section of the seal has to be formed to face into the engine or to be fitted with a mandril to ensure no leaks - maybe motoraad were right after all - ah well another couple of hours disconnecting the telelever pivot spindle to pull the suspension clear of the engine and allow removal of the pulley, belt and subsequent replacement of said seal again (just as well I ordered 2 seals last time incase I focked up again).
We live and learn.

 

[Steptoe]

ah well another couple of hours disconnecting the telelever pivot spindle to pull the suspension clear of the engine and allow removal of the pulley, belt and subsequent replacement of said seal again (just as well I ordered 2 seals last time incase I focked up again).
We live and learn.

Well live and learn some more.

No need to disconnect the telelever to replace the cover seal. It only needs removing if pulling off the front cover.

 

[britbike]

crank seal

Well live and learn some more.

No need to disconnect the telelever to replace the cover seal. It only needs removing if pulling off the front cover.

Understood - but I've had to remove the cover to get the seal out - self tapping screws screwed into the seal to give me a purchace into the seal to enable me to pull it out failed because they came straight out when I atached my mini molies and pulled - I didn't fancy prising with a screwdriver just incase I damaged the rotor or the casing - so I've opted for removing the cover to drive the seal out just to be on the safe side - if you've got any tips to assist me to remove the seal without removing the cover and damaging the casing or rotor fire away I'm all ears I'd gladly rather do that than remove the cover and displace the lever spindle (I don't remove the lever or forks I just push them forward and raise the front wheel to give me enough clearance).

 

[Steptoe]

if you've got any tips to assist me to remove the seal without removing the cover and damaging the casing or rotor fire away I'm all ears I'd gladly rather do that than remove the cover and displace the lever spindle (I don't remove the lever or forks I just push them forward and raise the front wheel to give me enough clearance).

Seeing as you've done so many seals in the past i stupidly thought you had a seal puller....

It's a tool for the pulling/removal of seals.

 

[britbike]

more crap about seals

Seeing as you've done so many seals in the past i stupidly thought you had a seal puller....

It's a tool for the pulling/removal of seals.

I have - I bought one from motorworks - but it's not suitable for removing the seal because the rotor stops the hook of the puller getting a purchace on the seal.
It works fine with the cover off though