Transmission shifter shaft seal
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: NC
Transmission shifter shaft seal
Question for you guys: can the transmission shifter shaft seal on a 96 Road King be changed without removing the primary cases?
I noticed my shift lever was loose and when I checked it out there is some oil seepage in that area. The shaft did not appear to move just the lever. I have to get a new bolt to use as the one in it is kind of ragged up. I'll try to add a couple of pictures.
I noticed my shift lever was loose and when I checked it out there is some oil seepage in that area. The shaft did not appear to move just the lever. I have to get a new bolt to use as the one in it is kind of ragged up. I'll try to add a couple of pictures.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From:
Yes, requires removal of primary,
But i would suggest you clean that area very very well with a de-greaser.
After you clean it, go ahead and clean it again.
Then let it dry.
Then sprinkle some baby powder in the area to clarify if there is a leak overnight.
Unless it is a bad leak then it might not be worth the time unless you are changing a belt ,the transmission shift lever a stator or something else in the area.
The picture does not look like a leak but maybe it is a very mild seepage.
But i would suggest you clean that area very very well with a de-greaser.
After you clean it, go ahead and clean it again.
Then let it dry.
Then sprinkle some baby powder in the area to clarify if there is a leak overnight.
Unless it is a bad leak then it might not be worth the time unless you are changing a belt ,the transmission shift lever a stator or something else in the area.
The picture does not look like a leak but maybe it is a very mild seepage.
Last edited by im; Jul 22, 2016 at 10:00 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
Thanks for the reply. I didn't have time to clean it up last night but that is on the agenda. I hadn't thought of using baby powder, I'll give that a try after I get it cleaned up. I'm hoping the threads aren't buggered up on the shift lever.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
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From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Man, I don't know if you can change the shifter shaft seal without taking off the inner primary. I would like to learn how that is done. Might save folks lots of grief.
I recently had to pull the inner primary and replaced several seals while it was off. One of them was the shifter shaft seal. I had to drill two small holes, screwed in 2 sheet metal screws and pulled the seal off. Then you have to seat the seal to a proper depth. I did this with the right sized socket, tapping it in slowly. Then you replace the washer, and new C-clip. Replace the shifter shaft and torqued the heck out of it with a new allen socket bolt.
I don't think I could have done that without the inner primary off.
Some pics of the work. 1. Pulling out the seal 2. Options for shifter shaft bolt. Went with the black one which was grade 8. Little to no play in shifter shaft now. 3. New C-clip (dark). Got a two pack at Lowes 5/16" diameter.
Good luck.
I recently had to pull the inner primary and replaced several seals while it was off. One of them was the shifter shaft seal. I had to drill two small holes, screwed in 2 sheet metal screws and pulled the seal off. Then you have to seat the seal to a proper depth. I did this with the right sized socket, tapping it in slowly. Then you replace the washer, and new C-clip. Replace the shifter shaft and torqued the heck out of it with a new allen socket bolt.
I don't think I could have done that without the inner primary off.
Some pics of the work. 1. Pulling out the seal 2. Options for shifter shaft bolt. Went with the black one which was grade 8. Little to no play in shifter shaft now. 3. New C-clip (dark). Got a two pack at Lowes 5/16" diameter.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
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From: NC
Thanks. I did not have much time to mess with it, it seemed like it would be tight getting everything off and back in without taking the primary off. I may just clean it up and see how it goes for now.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
I stopped by the dealer on the way home from work and picked up a new bolt. I talked to one of the guys there about the seal and he confirmed it couldn't be done without removing the primary cases.
BUT I did get out of there today for $1.13 for that new grade 8 bolt and now the shift lever is tighter than a tick's *** on a hound dog!!
I'll clean the area up this weekend and see how much seepage is going on.
Thanks for the help!
BUT I did get out of there today for $1.13 for that new grade 8 bolt and now the shift lever is tighter than a tick's *** on a hound dog!!
I'll clean the area up this weekend and see how much seepage is going on.
Thanks for the help!
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Upstate New York
As was said, be sure it's the seal. The shift adjuster screw and lock nut is right there, and mine tends to seep a bit of oil from the screw threads (and always has). Also, the vent for the transmission and primary is right above the shift lever area. That could also be a source of the oil you're seeing.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: NC
Originally Posted by Uncle G.
As was said, be sure it's the seal. The shift adjuster screw and lock nut is right there, and mine tends to seep a bit of oil from the screw threads (and always has). Also, the vent for the transmission and primary is right above the shift lever area. That could also be a source of the oil you're seeing.
