Leaking shifter shaft seal after new H-D replacement? Better brand?

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Jul 31, 2013 | 09:45 AM

#11

soft 02

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

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From: TOAK western branch

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warp Factor

Gear oil is about the same thickness or viscosity as engine oil. The viscosity numbers are so different because the rating system is different.

I know. I have the cross ref at my desk in my shop. Its easier to just say viscosity then explaining about all the different additives and different viscosity rating scale but you are correct.

Jul 31, 2013 | 11:34 AM

#12

balingwire

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Joined: Sep 2012

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From: South Fulton

Seems there is no consensus on the best GL5 trans oil - I spent time looking and folks like Spectro, Redline, Bel-Ray, Amsoil, Severe Gear, Mobil 1,...then, some run 75W-140, 75W-90...confusing to me, but I guess it's like motor oil preferences - lots of good ones.

Jul 31, 2013 | 11:48 AM

#13

2black1s

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

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From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by balingwire

I was able to easily spin it out with a small screwdriver and didn't nick the shaft. I'll run some threads and see about running a different oil.

I recently replaced the same seal on my bike and I was surprised at how loose a fit the seal was to the bore. I too was able to "spin" it out.

When I installed the new seal I put a thin film of RTV on the OD and inner face of the seal before pressing it in. That seems to have worked as it's been about 7,000 or 8,000 miles since I did it and I have no leak now.

As loosely as the seal fit, I'm not sure if the original leak was from the seal/shaft interface or the seal/housing interface. The RTV was insurance to make sure it didn't leak around the seal/housing interface and to bond the seal to ensure that it didn't spin in the bore.

Aug 1, 2013 | 10:16 PM

#14

balingwire

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From: South Fulton

I've spent the last couple of days looking for readily available 75W-140 trans oil that many members here run, including Spectro, Redline, Amsoil, Bel-Ray, Mobil One, and I can't find any. I've seen 85W-140 (maybe?) Royal Purple, but I've not read a lot of good about it, and I've seen Lucas 75W-90, but I was thinking that 75W-140 seemed to be more in line with what folks on the forum were doing. I also ran across some Drag Specialties and Castrol Syntec, but I just don't know. What is the best, readily available GL5 trans oil for the H-D 6-sp to be found in parts stores?

Also, I've been looking in bearing and seal stores and parts stores for the SKF 4260 seal for the shift shaft, but no luck. I've looked online for the correct shift seal from Cometic, but the seals that I found are listed for the 5-sp transmission (PN 9259). Will these work in the 2006 6-sp also? Thank you.