Leaking rear drive

[towerworker]

I submitted a post last weekend concerning my final drive leaking on my 03 r. Hopefully I have figured out the problem and wanted to make you guys and gals aware of what possibly was going on so you don't have the same problem.

I had the rear seal replace under warranty in Dec 05. I am making a guess that while the mechanic had it out of the bike the final drive was laid on it's side allowing the small filter element in the vent on top of the housing to soak up oil from the housing. The element appears to be made of the same material you would find in an air filter in a small engine. I beleive the oil soaked filter would not allow air to properly vent from the final drive and when it got hot instead of air simply venting, the pressure caused oil to vent instead which would just magnify the problem. The element stayed soaked with oil and the problem just continued. Today I drained the housing, removed the vent cap and pulled the filter material out of the vent tube and cleaned it with clean solvent. Put all back together and re-filled final drive with new 75/90w gear oil. (synthetic)

100 miles later and I ran it pretty hard no leaks or seepage from the vent.

Hopfully all is well now.

The worst part of this is the kidding I got from co-workers (who ride HD's) about my bike leaving puddles of oil. That used to be my line.
Hope this helps someone else.

Wayne

[Arbreacames]

Excellent explanation! I had heard about oil leaking from the vent cap, but I could never understand how a rear drive could be overfilled that badly. It all makes sense now!

[MikeCam]

Great diagnosis and tips.

[ProductUser]

Thanks for the information. That a good nugget of info to know.

Tony

[towerworker]

Just got back from a ride over the mountains to Monterey for their Maple Festival. Rode two up with my wife and rode it pretty hard there and back. (in some rain I might add) ----No leaks from the vent or anywhere else I might add. I was a little nervous about it I admit and looking at the drive unit each time I stopped but so far so good.

My thanks to CycleRob for his advice and expertise.

Wayne
03r

[trbaldridge]

I beleive the oil soaked filter would not allow air to properly vent from the final drive and when it got hot instead of air simply venting, the pressure caused oil to vent instead which would just magnify the problem.

Wayne

I have a leak in my final and I pulled the abs sensor a couple of times looking at it to see if it could be leaking from there. I will check that vent out.

thanks,
terry
http://www.fiddlemania.com/mc

[towerworker]

Terry--

I for the longest time did not realize how the vent comes off. It just pulls straight up. Took a small knife blade and got under it and popped it up. Be careful not to cut the o-ring that seals it to the housing. I used a pair of surgical tweezers to get hold of the filter element and pull it out. Washed it with brake cleaner and put it back in. Hope this helps.

Wayne
03r

[trbaldridge]

Terry--

I for the longest time did not realize how the vent comes off. It just pulls straight up. Took a small knife blade and got under it and popped it up. Be careful not to cut the o-ring that seals it to the housing. I used a pair of surgical tweezers to get hold of the filter element and pull it out. Washed it with brake cleaner and put it back in. Hope this helps.

Wayne
03r

Thanks Wayne.

I will look into that this weekend. I didn't have this problem until I replaced the final (bearings came unwound in the old one). I am wondering if that filter got soaked in UPS between here and there.

I can't think of much that stinks worse than rear end grease. Can't wait to get that stuff up under my fingernails again.

terry
http://www.fiddlemania.com

[towerworker]

Terry--
Good luck to you. Both my service mgr and CycleRob said that this was a new one for them. I can only assume that's what my problem was since cleaning the filter solved the problem. Mine was not just leaking a little----it would completly soak the wheel and tire on one side. After running 10 miles or so I would stop and could watch the oil bubble out of the vent.

I have hammered hard the Harley owners I work with over the last 3 years and lately it's been my turn to get pounded! Guess I deserved it!

Wayne