Diff seal replacement - how easy?

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:35 am

Hi guys, a friend has a slight oil leak from the rear diff housing. Nothing major yet but it soon makes the rear wheel look real messy.
Can the fountains of wisdom give me an idea how much effort is involved in replacing the rear diff seal?
Could it be better to buy a used diff on ebay? I think not but the owner has limited access to work space / tools etc.
Cheers,
Andy

dingdong · Post by **dingdong** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:08 am

Are you sure the leak is from the final drive? Might want to check the right shock for the leak. Oil will drip from the shock down on the drive and then drip onto the tire. Just another possibility.

julimike54 · Post by **julimike54** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:32 am

Where do you see the oil? I found small oil signs on the wheel and it wound up that the drive shaft seal on the motor was leaking into the differential area and was slinging onto the wheel. When I replaced the rear differential (due to splines wore out), I found a very nice used differential at a breaker in KY (just FYI). Good luck.

andyd · Post by **andyd** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 11:09 am

julimike54 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 8:32 am Where do you see the oil? I found small oil signs on the wheel and it wound up that the drive shaft seal on the motor was leaking into the differential area and was slinging onto the wheel. When I replaced the rear differential (due to splines wore out), I found a very nice used differential at a breaker in KY (just FYI). Good luck.

Oil was dripping onto the wheel rim from below the dif. I assumed it was the dif oil. Dif is not overfilled and oil level does drop very slowly. Have no idea how worn the splines are, but it's worth a look to see if they are worn and go from there.

CrystalPistol · Post by **CrystalPistol** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 4:45 pm

Too much lubricant in the final drive will cause small leaks and a messy look. First, before assuming the seal bad, place bike on level ground on center stand. When cool, remove fill cap. If lubricant runs out, it was too much. How it can happen is someone tops it off with bike leaned over on side stand.

Trikes with two rear wheels might have a differential or "diff", if both rear wheels are driven.

Bikes with just one drive wheel have only a final drive.

Diff seal replacement - how easy?

Diff seal replacement - how easy?

Re: Diff seal replacement - how easy?

Re: Diff seal replacement - how easy?

Re: Diff seal replacement - how easy?

Re: Diff seal replacement - how easy?