Rear wheel oil seal?

[fast and bulbous]

3 weeks ago I had my rear wheel bearing replaced at a BMW dealership before I went away to Spain. Four days into my holiday I noticed oil on my back wheel and realised it was leaking somewhere from the diff. Cleaning it up I could see that it was coming out from where the axle enters the diff. I found somewhere in Tortosa who filled up the final drive and I eventually made it back to the ferry at Santander at a snails pace with two more stops to fill up the reardrive and then relayed the bike home to Hull. The dealers replaced the seals yesterday under warranty but getting home the problem is just the same. Speaking to the mechanic this morning he says that they will have to replace the stub axle assembly as it is worn and thats why the oil is leaking out. It certainly wasnt leaking out before they had everything apart to change the bearing. It has cost me £320 for the bearing plus all the pissing about and it certainly took the shine of my trip! Before I get stitched up with another BMW sized bill for a replacement axle have the oracles of the forum any advice??

Thanks John

 

[mikeyboy]

i am a little unclear from your post as to which seal is leaking,pm sent

 

[fast and bulbous]

Thanks for you quick reply. I am currently in "delicate" negociations with the dealers so will leave it for now!

all the best

john

 

[Wapping]

.... so will leave it for now!

Thread tools => lock thread is your friend

 

[patzx12]

What year bike? It sounds to me like the dealer replaced the main bearings and didnt change the smaller pinion bearings.
In my experience if anyone goes at the FD do all of it. change every bearing seal and o-ring + check the drive shaft and UJ's

 

[Pukmeister]

Could it also be due to your dealer overfilling the FD oil, or failing to fit the seal correctly when rebuilding the final drive?

 

[Spout]

I've seen a few rear drives in various stages of dismantlement DAMHIK

It seems to me that new seals are going to have a tough time on higher mileage bikes because the old seals cut tiny grooves in the mating surfaces. These can apparantley be "smoothed out" with polishing, but time consuming and not the sort of thing a dealer will want to do (much easier to replace parts).

You can try fitting the new seal in a slightly diffent place (ie not fully home, or pushed in a tad too far - has worked for me a couple of times).

Good luck.............

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You can also get shaft savers for doing this. They are basically a very thin walled tube that you put over the damaged area and effectively gives the seal a new surface. It can usually be done by simply removing the old seal putting the saver on and then put a new seal on so no expensive dismantling. No idea if you can get them in the right size mind you. Good bearing suppliers can supply them along with the new seal.

 

[st247]

You can also get shaft savers for doing this. They are basically a very thin walled tube that you put over the damaged area and effectively gives the seal a new surface. It can usually be done by simply removing the old seal putting the saver on and then put a new seal on so no expensive dismantling. No idea if you can get them in the right size mind you. Good bearing suppliers can supply them along with the new seal.

Speedi Sleeves

 

[skywalker]

Depends which seal has gone. The usual fav is the smaller of the two on the outside.
If the shaft has worn then its a new axle. You cannot buy housings or gears anymore.