Topic: Left side shifter oil seal leaking, a couple questions?

[manjisann]

I had prefiously suspected this little seal was leaking, but I don't think it was. But since I had to remove the left side cover to clean out 30+ years of crud, I figured since I was in there  and I had suspected it, I would replace it. This may have been a mistake, as now I think it is leaking for real. I had read a few posts that say to get these kinds of seals out you just drill a 1/16 hole and use a wood screw to carefully remove it. I tried this, but the seal that was in there apparently had a metal ring in it that made the bit wander in the worse direction possible and I put a very small ding into the rod itself. It is so small if I scrape it with a pick it barely grabs it, so I figure I am ok, and since it is on the outerside of the seal, it shouldn't cause a problem.  I put the new seal I ordered through the local honda dealer back on, and the part that goes around the shifter seems to be diffferent than the one that was on there. The one that was on there reminded me more of the fork seals how it just has a wiper thing, this one had several folds of rubber that come out past the seal itself. It is possible I didn' seat the seal properly, but it looks ok. So the question is, would a small scratch in the seal cause a leak? I am ordering a new one from Bike Bandits, but I am wondering if the one that was in there was an aftermarket jobbie of some sort. Any thoughts all? Also, what is the best way to seat these without ruining them, as apparently the method I was using may not have been correct.

Thanks,

Brandon

[manjisann]

And to help make sure the rod is perfectly smooth so it doesn't ruin the next seal I install, can I sand it with 400 grit wet dry after removing all the oil residue and gunk? Or do I need finer paper?

Thanks

Brandon

[brianzenk]

The wood screw idea did not work for me when I tried to remove the washer.
The washer was so hard the screw would not go into it.
I had an old typewriter repair tool with a small hook on the end and that got
it out of there with no problems. The replacement washer that I got from the Honda dealer
was different and works just fine.

[jason teamshralp]

I stabbed mine with a pocket knife on my 550k to get it out. my replacement looked the same as the original, you may ask the dealer to make sure that is the correct seal.

[nippon]

Hi,

for removing old seals, I took small hooks as shown in the pic.
They are available at harborfreight.

1. a good way to protect the seal is to cover the teeth of the shifter axle with one layer of packaging tape before you are
   put the seal on. (only at the  jagged area) Then, put some grease on the packaging tape and the axle.

2. Clean the engine cover,...oil free, where the oil gasket is sitting in.

3. Take a very thin! layer of Threebond sealer and put it on the outside of the ring, this helps that the seal is
    sliding in easily and will seal, too.

4. The grease on the axle will be pushed back when you put the seal ring over the shifting axle and it will
    help to avoid leakings, too.

5. Take a piece of wood and hit the oil seal carefully, clockwise in the case.

That's the way, i do it. It worked for me all the time.

nippon

[manjisann]

  Thanks all for the suggestions! I will definately do the grease thing and a thin layer of Threebond sealer on the outer part in the bike. I did clean the area really well before I put this one in, so I don't think that is why it was leaking, I think I either damaged the seal, or didn't seat it right. I was brain storming ways to get it on flush, and I think I will try a washer of the same diamter, or just slightly smaller, that would allow me to get even pressure on it and seat it in as far as it goes. That should get rid of that problem. I will let you all know how it goes, ordered the part yesterday from Bike Bandits, crossing my fingers that it gets here by Friday. Everything should still be fairly clean, so it shouldn't take more than a couple hours tops.

Thanks,

Brandon

[manjisann]

Well, Bike Bandits saved me again! Ordered the part on Saturday, here on Thursday, can't as for more than that.

I got it on, used the gasket sealer, and the grease on the shaft and tape. I drove it home with washer. Now I just got to ride her and pray she doesn't leak.

Brandon