Rear Drive Oil Seal

[deaninkl]

Was on my 360km Monday comute yesterday, I stopped for a coffee and fuel. While checking the tire pressure I noticed the tell tale signs of very light oil smiring on the hub just around the donut hole. It was noticable because the bike got dirty the day before so the oil had soaked into the dirt about 5 to 10mm around the donut. The drive assembly was not overly hot, I could touch the inside of the hole without problem, and the outside housing was only warm.

I wiped the oil off, it smelt like fresh oil, so no burning not old smelling. I had another 200km to go so took it easy. Once in at my office I checked again and all was good, no further oil noticable. Hub again only warm.

The bike is a 2006, with 76,000km on the clock, rear drive oild changed at 40k and was going to do it at the 80k mark.

I just looked at it again todayand no oil seepage, whell spins nicely, no sideways monement.

So questions..

1. Change the outer oil seal ASAP

2. Observe Regularly and change seal with oil change at 80k

3. Is it a sign that inner and outer seals need changing?

Thanks.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I'd go with 2.

Although your seal is leaking very slightly, it's only misting and there isn't much oil coming out. We had one bike doing this for 2000 miles on the last Alaska trip and was no problem.

 

[Spout]

Why wait til 80K? Just change oil now

If it leaks again with nice fresh oil then change the seal.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I would say your 40k change interval is a bit long anyway should be 20k going by BMW so give it a change now. You could of course just leave it alone and monitor then change it all at your planed service date. Presumably this is a twice weekly go home Friday commute and not daily? If its daily your going to be gearing up for the weekend service anyway.

 

[Pukmeister]

I had the same when living in Western Australia, weeping from seal after a long hot ride. I slid the corner of a sheet of A4 paper under the seal lip and wiped around it to ensure no sand dust in the seal. No further leakage. I suspect a slight overfill of my final drive, 45 C ambient weather causing pressure/weep.

 

[deaninkl]

thanks for the advice guys, I'll riding home tomorrow and will take it easy, it is hot here 33 in the shade 40 plus in the sun.

Will keeo a close eye on her and change the oil and outer seal before the next commute, next week will be on the plane. Had a look this morning and no weeping of oil.

 

[jags]

thanks for the advice guys, I'll riding home tomorrow and will take it easy, it is hot here 33 in the shade 40 plus in the sun.

Will keeo a close eye on her and change the oil and outer seal before the next commute, next week will be on the plane. Had a look this morning and no weeping of oil.

no oil?

 

[rjsmith26]

Hi, I have had similar this summer.

2009 1200 GSA 12000 miles and suddenly a very very fine mist of oil around the seal.

Kept a close eye on it over summer and at last service advised dealer. Helpfully the dealer did nothing about it except report very small play in rear bearing!! Yikes!

My cousin is an MOT tester so asked him to feel for "Play". Cold - he reported minor - less than a mm and barely tolerable play, and warm, no play at all.

I ride bike to work quite a bit and it sits on sunshine in a bike shed - so sunshine and no cooling breeze. I wonder if this has enhanced conditions for a minor leak of oil due to heat expansion of the oil??

In past 6 weeks have been keeping a close eye on it and no weeping at all.

So other than close monitor and I think during winter a oil change on shaft to check for nasties I am just going to try and calm my paranoia and move on!

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I've found that heat and altitude have an effect on the seal. In 30+ degrees, they may weep a little and then no more so my advice is just keep an eye on it and if it continues, change the seal which is a 15 minute job

 

[rjsmith26]

Thanks Sarg,

Stupid question - easy to change the seal diy or stealer? Do you need to drain the FD oil? assume yes?

Cheers

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Easy to do diy and you would be advised to change the oil since you won't know how much you have left after it has leaked.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Thanks Sarg,

Stupid question - easy to change the seal diy or stealer? Do you need to drain the FD oil? assume yes?

Cheers

Fairly simple to do and you might as well change the oil whilst you are there. If you are unsure about it, run it across to Steptoe in West London who's not that far away from you