Leaking Final Drive Oil Seal - Just replaced bearing

[Nick H]

Hopefully someone can help.

I have replaced the final drive bearing - there was slight movement in the wheel but actually the bearing seemed fine when I took it out and I suspect it might just have been an adjustment in the Pivot Bearings needed. That will teach me to jump straight in!

Anyway, final drive bearing replaced alongside with oil seal. All seemed fine for a couple of short runs but have just ridden from Devon to London and back today and there is a slight leak from the new oil seal. Its coming from the bottom where the seal joins the rotating flange (if that's the right word - its the bit you bolt the wheel to).

I have checked the oil level and it is well up the threads whereas I think it should be at the bottom. I wondered whether this could cause the leak or do I need to look elsewhere?

Any advice welcome as am off to Slovenia on it in a weeks time......

Cheers

Nick

 

[dubster]

Had a similar problem recently, could be a bit of corrosion on the 'flange' (also not sure what the word is) disrupting the seal?

Someone who knows what they're talking about will hopefully chip in soon...

 

[Magnon]

I've just done my 11GS drive (77,000), only ordered seal and ball bearing but on strip down found taper roller was well knackered, did you check this bearing?

If it's just seal issue at least it's an easy change.

 

[Jamieboy]

Same thing happened to me in France last summer. The seal just started leaking - no problem with the bearing and once I put a new seal in has been good for thousands of miles since.

Therefore bearing can fail without there being a big issue with other components.

 

[mspenz]

The seal might just be sitting on an old 'lip', was it totally clean when the new one went on? Maybe worth giving the seal a light tap again to see if it sets in place properly.
Drain the oil to the bottom of the threads, check that the breather is clear and try again.

 

[Jamieboy]

Same thing happened to me in France last summer. The seal just started leaking - no problem with the bearing and once I put a new seal in has been good for thousands of miles since.

Therefore bearing can fail without there being a big issue with other components.

Sorry, I meant seal can fail without there being an issue with other components.

 

[Nick H]

Thanks for the suggestions all. Will drain down, check its seated properly and the breather is clear.

The taper bearing was fine thanks Magnon.

 

[Slipperyeel]

No need to drain the oil.

Just gently tap the seal inward a couple of mm so that the lip runs up against a new part of the hub. The biggest job is taking off the wheel to do this

 

[fizzer]

to much oil will spit it out the breather at the top, i had only a small amount to much in my final drive when i had my rockster,and after twenty miles or so it was dribbling down the inside of the hub ,it looked like the seal but it was my fault by over filling

 

[Nick H]

All sorted chaps. Seal needed tapping in a bit further, only a couple of mm but made the difference.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Nick