Oil seal

[Hubie]

G'day all,

The source of my leak was definately from the gearbox as I have alot less oil in there than before!  It looks to me like the gearbox drive side oil seal (the one that sits in front of the mainshaft bearing) needs replacing.  I have the circlip out, but how do I get the oil seal out?

Also, the main shaft (that the countershaft sprocket attaches to) has a little sideways play when you push/pull on it while rotating the shaft.  Is this normal?

Cheers,
Dave.

[muskrat]

G'day Dave,
                I use a slide hammer made from a 1/4" tent peg with the bent end ground down to fit in behind the seal with the sprocket removed. Or very carefully collapse the seal, don't damage the case or shaft.
The mainshaft goes to the clutch, the countershaft to the sprocket. I'm not 100% sure but I think the end float is taken up once the sprocket is on and nut tightened.
Cheers.
PS, rockershaft posted.

[Hubie]

Thanks a heap Musky,

Will have a crack at it when the new seal arrives.

Cheers,
Hubie

[trevinoz]

Dave,
             If you have some side play in the main shaft I would say that the sleeve gear bushes have some wear in them.
  Trev.

[Hubie]

Trev, when I say side play, I mean that you can push the shaft the sprocket is on a tiny bit in and out on rotation, not play between the two shafts persay.  I got the old oil seal out no probs and have ordered new primary chaincase gaskets and a new oil seal along with a C spanner to do the sprocket nut up properly.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Hubie]

Got my new oil seal today so I have that all sorted.  Turns out I heavily overfilled the gearbox (up to the pushrod inspection cover - the enfield 6 speed box is topped up this way - instead of the drain plug level).  Just have to put the clutch and primary back together and she's on the road.  Also made a clutch spring screw tool that is much better than the factory one.

Cheers,
Hubie.

[t20racerman]

Glad you sorted your problem, but just thought I'd add a comment..

I had a continually leaking gearbox oilseal and replaced it... just to get the same leak come back later on. There was no clear reason why, but determined to stop it once and for all I replaced the large bearing that the seal covers with an 'RS' type  bearing - ie one with an oilseal built in covering the races. I removed the seal on the gearbox side, and left the one in place on the seal side.
Never had a leak again!
Worth considering for anyone building up a gearbox maybe?

Adrian

[Hubie]

She's all back together and running.  Just have to put some oil in the primary and I'm on the road 

Cheers once again to all for the advice,

Hubie.

[Hubie]

Would anyone care to give an opinion on running the primary mainly with grease?  Is it safe to do or will the chain overheat and break.  Last little niggle with the bike is the clutch centre still dribbling out the back of the inner primary.  Rest of bike is oil tight.


Cheers,
Hubie.

[muskrat]

I don't think that would be good for the clutch plates. Is that one of those centers with the scroll the wrong way? If it is and a 4 spring job I have a center you can borrow till you get a good one.
I think I remember seeing a seal conversion on here some time back.
Try a bit less and thicker oil, it only has to just cover the chain at the bottom of the clutch really.
Cheers

[alanp]

Just to remind you that the scroll has to be Left Hand threaded.
Bill's right about the grease. You probably have a 20 roller clutch centre bearing which will wear more rapidly if it doesn't get a regular dose of oil that's flying around inside the case and trying desperately to get out of the back past the scroll.
Alan

[Hubie]

I fitted a rubber seal to the inside of the sliding plate which fits snugly over the clutch centre/scroll owing to the large gap between the gap in the sliding plate and the scroll.  When I turn the scroll clockwise, it pulls the clutch centre further in to the seal.  I think I damaged the seal prior to the rebuild. 

I'll see what I can do

Cheers,
Dave.

[muskrat]

A rubber seal will not work properly with a scrolled shaft. The mod calls for the scroll to be machined off and a seal of the appropriate size used.
Cheers

[chaterlea25]

Hi Hubie
See my reply to the other thread you have going!!!

ON the Ariels I have theres a ruddy great hole in the inner and outer primary cases
with a lip on the alloy. No attempt to seal it
They lose less oil than the BSA's   ???? ???? ???? ???? ????

Cheers
John O R

[Hubie]

Well it's still piddling oil out of there.  Running out of ideas of how to keep the fluid in there....