Back tire leaking oil around Final Gear Case!

[Guest]

Help! After taking a drive on the highway, I noticed my 1981 Suzuki gs850g back tire was covered with gear oil. It actually looked red which I presumed was from the old moly paste. When I got home, I removed the tire and final case. the final case cover did have oil all over, but I'm curious if the large oil seal in the Case Cover has leaked. I ordered a new oil seal just in case. Has anyone else dealt with an oil covered back tire??? The sealant behind the case cover was strong and the o-ring around the large bevel gear was in good condition.

Thanks,
Derek

[azr]

Help! After taking a drive on the highway, I noticed my 1981 Suzuki gs850g back tire was covered with gear oil. It actually looked red which I presumed was from the old moly paste. When I got home, I removed the tire and final case. the final case cover did have oil all over, but I'm curious if the large oil seal in the Case Cover has leaked. I ordered a new oil seal just in case. Has anyone else dealt with an oil covered back tire??? The sealant behind the case cover was strong and the o-ring around the large bevel gear was in good condition.

Thanks,
Derek

yes, I've had a couple leak of several different shaft bikes. Both times on mine it was the large seal that went. There is an o-ring that is worth replacing while you're in there as well. Also make sure you check the bearings, not sure how many miles are on your bike. Check out the parts fiche

http://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40324f8700230d8b4e9e8/propeller-shaft-final-drive-gear

[tom203]

Is this a new to you bike? Red oil? Drain some out of pumpkin and hope that someone didn't use ATF instead of 80-90 hypoid. Might as well change that o-ring while you're changing the oil seal. And check splines for wear to be safe.

[Nessism]

"Back tire leaking oil" eh? I thought tires were supposed to be filled with air?

[chuck hahn]

The oring between the two halves is probably giving up the ghost. once you take all the perimeter bolts out around the edge of the pumpkin, youll see 2 small 6 MM bolt holes directly across from each other. Screw in two bolts and go evenly till he two halves seperate.

[bwringer]

I've replaced a couple of these. In one case, I think it was overzealous application of moly paste -- that stuff is great on hard metals, but it's abrasive if it gets onto rubber.

Anyway, I wandered the plumbing aisles of Lowes with the seal until I found a plumbing adapter that fit the perimeter of the seal. I used that and a rubber mallet to drive in the new seal and no problems since.

[ddelpriore]

Thanks for the replies! Any idea where to find an O-ring replacement? That part is now "obsolete" on Partzilla. My bike has 55,000 miles on it, so its probably due.

[tom203]

Oddly, the o-ring used on shaft 650 is still available p/n 09280-00015' while your p/n 09280-00014 is not. That last digit difference makes me wonder if they are interchangeable. Someone will know.

[chuck hahn]

As I understand part number lore, when they used the same part on a next year or different model bike, they just jumped the last digits up one number. So the part for then 650 should be the same..just with a 1 lower number than the 850 has.

[mvalenti]

"Back tire leaking oil" eh? I thought tires were supposed to be filled with air?

Lol I thought the same thing. Rear filled with extra oil, front filled with fuel! Genious! Wish I thou h t of it!

[Redman]

Help! After taking a drive on the highway, I noticed my 1981 Suzuki gs850g back tire was covered with gear oil. It actually looked red ....

I think should explore the "red" aspect of this. If it was red, and was ATF... maybe that is why it leaked.

.

[tkent02]

I think should explore the "red" aspect of this. If it was red, and was ATF... maybe that is why it leaked.

.

Don't think I've ever seen red gear oil... wait is Redline gear oil red? Might be.

[zuzu]

Don't think I've ever seen red gear oil... wait is Redline gear oil red? Might be.

Here is what Redline looks like.

[eil]

As I understand part number lore, when they used the same part on a next year or different model bike, they just jumped the last digits up one number. So the part for then 650 should be the same..just with a 1 lower number than the 850 has.

I don't think this is true. If you plug a part number that you know crosses multiple models and years (for example, the tach drive sleeve), any decent parts website will list many years for that same part number.

The 650's pumpkin drive unit is smaller and of a different design, I would be surprised if any of the parts were the same inside.

Don't think I've ever seen red gear oil... wait is Redline gear oil red? Might be.

The SAE 90 hypoid gear oil I put into my 850 from the auto parts store is red.

[ddelpriore]

I replaced the oil seal. I"m starting to think the original seal was, possibly, fine. I noticed when I assembled the final drive case cover and main bearing assembly the oil seal sat further down the outer splines. Looking at it the two inner oil seal ridges now grip the metal. Maybe the final drive case cover and bearing assembly loosened over time, allowing once ridge of the oil seal to sit over the spline allowing a gap. I guess the test ride will tell soon enough.