2017 Steve's Vacay kindarally - 7/5-7/12, Cortez, CO

SilverBullet

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steve68steve said:
I brought fluid, I'm going to crack it open and see how low it is. Hopefully it looks worse than it is.
What's frustrating is that it leaks continuously. It leaked on the trailer strapped down for 3 days. If it really is a severe leak, I was thinking of taking it to the local yam dealer here in Cortez. Don't know how likely they'd have parts in stock. Seems like it would need more tools and space than a camp site could muster, but if you think it's doable, please bring whatever you have. Fwiw, I'm pretty sure it's leaking on the wheel side, not the shaft side. I had it all apart and cleaned up before I left. The shaft side looked dry. The wheel side didn't.
Nothing to leak on the wheel side so has to be either the oil seal at shaft output or the x-ring that seals the pumpkin cover. I would first pull off the wheel and inspect whether leaking from where cover bolts onto pumpkin or oil seal. The oil seal might be able to clean. Sometimes dirt gets under it preventing a tight seal. Try putting something very thin under the seal and move it around the circumference trying to scoop any dirt or grit to the outside. Very thin like a feeler gage, 35mm film, etc.

I've had final drive leaks that made an ugly mess over the pumpkin and wheel and rode 1,000+ miles like that. When fluid checked it was only low by an ounce or so.

Oil seal can be replaced blind without removing the cover. Drill a small hole, thread a small sheet metal screw into and and grab screw with pliers to pull out seal. Drive the new seal in using the old seal and fill up with fluid. Pumpkin cover x-ring is easy but Torx bit is required. I will bring one if somebody can tell me the size. I wont have my rear wheel off before coming to check what size the Torx screw is.

If leaking on the trailer that is bad. Mine previous leaks usually showed up over high speed prolonged riding, maximum heat and centrifical force made worse.
 

steve68steve

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SilverBullet said:
Nothing to leak on the wheel side so has to be either the oil seal at shaft output or the x-ring that seals the pumpkin cover. I would first pull off the wheel and inspect whether leaking from where cover bolts onto pumpkin or oil seal. The oil seal might be able to clean. Sometimes dirt gets under it preventing a tight seal. Try putting something very thin under the seal and move it around the circumference trying to scoop any dirt or grit to the outside. Very thin like a feeler gage, 35mm film, etc.

I've had final drive leaks that made an ugly mess over the pumpkin and wheel and rode 1,000+ miles like that. When fluid checked it was only low by an ounce or so.

Oil seal can be replaced blind without removing the cover. Drill a small hole, thread a small sheet metal screw into and and grab screw with pliers to pull out seal. Drive the new seal in using the old seal and fill up with fluid. Pumpkin cover x-ring is easy but Torx bit is required. I will bring one if somebody can tell me the size. I wont have my rear wheel off before coming to check what size the Torx screw is.
By "wheel side" I mean the output splined shaft which engages the wheel, as opposed to the drive shaft "input" side.
I have the manual opened to 4-129/ 4-130. The leak is from the area of the oil seal (item 2). I'm getting oil on the wheel hub, rim, and spokes. I think the seal between the ring gear bearing cover (item 1) and the main housing is dry.

I remember scratching my head at how to orient the oil seal (item 2) when I had it apart. Is it possible I put it on backwards? Also, there seems to be NOTHING holding that seal in but friction...meaning it's not seated in a groove or something - it just fell off when I had it all apart. Smoking gun?

It sounds to me like your instructions might be referring to the oil seal (item 13) on the drive shaft side.

Thanks for the help!!
 

bob dirt

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steve68steve said:
A few pics from the "suck it, snoozers!," file: here's what you've already missed:
Cool pics...I've been up Moki Dugway with a Harley and my Goldwing but not my Tenere...yet.

Hitting the CDT Saturday from the south. Should be in cool country and couple of days later.

Have a great vacation/ride!
 

SilverBullet

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steve68steve said:
...I remember scratching my head at how to orient the oil seal (item 2) when I had it apart. Is it possible I put it on backwards? Also, there seems to be NOTHING holding that seal in but friction...meaning it's not seated in a groove or something - it just fell off when I had it all apart. Smoking gun?
Old seal shouldn't have just fell out so some concern, however more importantly did the new seal drive in firmly? Friction press fit only, no groove, retainer clip or seat either so possible to drive in too far. Correct orientation of seal is flat side of metal outer faces the wheel. Opposite side of metal is a "U" shape.

wheel side



pumpkin side

 

snakebitten

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Wicked cool looking riding.
Rub it in. More pics!
I enjoy certain kinds of pain.
 

steve68steve

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I cracked the fill bolt and oil seeps out. I think it looks worse than it is.

Fwiw, I def think it's this oil seal, and likely I hosed it personally via ham-fistedness.



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steve68steve

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SB, I'm a moron: the loose seal I was second-guessing is the dust seal on the wheel, NOT the oil seal in the pumpkin. Haven't checked oil level today yet.

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steve68steve

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So the campsite here has nearly no cell service and the WiFi is crap. Uploading pics is a crap shoot.

Shredmeister and I tried to do the first section of the COBDR starting from Cortez going north, and I just want to share some experience: don't even bother trying to ride a BDR route without tracks in your GPS!
We spent an inordinate amount of time getting turned around, off the trail, trying to figure out where we were, and plotting a fresh course of attack.
It's really frustrating.

Having said that, riding off pavement thru SE CO on a leaky S10 with a riding buddy offsets all ills. Those of you who have easy, a/o regular access to riding this type of area: don't take it for granted.


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snakebitten

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steve68steve said:
We spent an inordinate amount of time getting turned around, off the trail, trying to figure out where we were, and plotting a fresh course of attack.



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THAT sounds like ADVenture!
 

SilverBullet

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steve68steve said:
SB, I'm a moron: the loose seal I was second-guessing is the dust seal on the wheel, NOT the oil seal in the pumpkin. Haven't checked oil level today yet.
I'll still bring the new seal and x-ring with me just in case. If you need anything else let me know. I'll PM you my Spot tracking and contact info. I should be rolling tonight at dusk, doing a 1,125 mile beeline there so hopefully ETA ~3 pm tomorrow.

I also have the COBDR gps tracks so maybe you guys will want to attempt again. I had to detour that leg when I rode it due to torrential rains made it impassable.
 

steve68steve

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Another great day. Scenery: amazing. Telluride, million dollar highway, and a "shortcut" off pavement.
I'm not very experienced off pavement, so I found the dirty section challenging. Lots of standing, absorbing shock as the bike fell in and climbed out of holes, rocky descents, changing conditions, loose gravel...

...but it's hard to feel like a champ when the other two guys are right on your tail... and they're both 2-up!

Silverbullet: check your texts.

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snakebitten

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LOL....know what you mean about getting humbled by 2-up'rs.
In fact, same area of the country!
Still, Colorado on a Tenere in July is awesome.
I'm sorry I missed this group. Looks like I'll be in the vicinity in 2-3 weeks though.

Where's the pics!!!????
 

steve68steve

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Yesterday we got 4 S10s on top of Ophir pass... from the hard side. My bike got a few, uh, ... mods on the way up, and Shred was a Rockstar (literally) who got my bike thru the rough stuff. There's no air up there.

When we start dumping pics in here, you snoozers will be kicking yourself.

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eemsreno

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Can't wait for your pictures
Riding beast off rode is addictive and the fun increases the more you do it.
 

SilverBullet

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eemsreno said:
Can't wait for your pictures
Riding beast off rode is addictive and the fun increases the more you do it.
Teaser photo. I wanted to post for easy reference to the sticker's website.
 
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