Seeping master cylinder cover
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Seeping master cylinder cover
Today I noticed brake fluid seeping from around the gasket of the front master cylinder on my 2012 FB.
To me it looks like the cover screws are too tight as the gasket is bulging out under the cover screws.
So i go to the dealer today to get a new gasket. Well guess what, Harley doesn't sell the gasket alone. You have to buy the cover and gasket and the screws as a kit.
They want $30.00 for this kit.
So I loosen the screws and torqued them down to 14 in lbs as per the manual.
So we will see if this stops the seeping.
Anybody else have this issue?
How did you remedy it?
To me it looks like the cover screws are too tight as the gasket is bulging out under the cover screws.
So i go to the dealer today to get a new gasket. Well guess what, Harley doesn't sell the gasket alone. You have to buy the cover and gasket and the screws as a kit.
They want $30.00 for this kit.
So I loosen the screws and torqued them down to 14 in lbs as per the manual.
So we will see if this stops the seeping.
Anybody else have this issue?
How did you remedy it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Forget the torque. That rubber gasket depending on weather can very like night and day. Make sure it's have way level and the fluid is the correct level. Then screw the screw snug and then a slight amount more with a correct fitting Philips screw driver. That small amount more should be enough that you spring the gasket so it pulls back. It will seal and also not come loose. Bet you are over tightening it with the torque wrench if it is still leaking in a few days. Also if your cover is tapered with a thick and thin side, the thick side goes toward center of bars.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 19, 2013 at 05:56 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Forget the torque. That rubber gasket depending on weather can very like night and day. Make sure it's have way level and the fluid is the correct level. Then screw the screw snug and then a slight amount more with a correct fitting Philips screw driver. That small amount more should be enough that you spring the gasket so it pulls back. It will seal and also not come loose. Bet you are over tightening it with the torque wrench if it is still leaking in a few days. Also if your cover is tapered with a thick and thin side, the thick side goes toward center of bars.
we shall see.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, NC
Today I noticed brake fluid seeping from around the gasket of the front master cylinder on my 2012 FB.
To me it looks like the cover screws are too tight as the gasket is bulging out under the cover screws.
So i go to the dealer today to get a new gasket. Well guess what, Harley doesn't sell the gasket alone. You have to buy the cover and gasket and the screws as a kit.
They want $30.00 for this kit.
So I loosen the screws and torqued them down to 14 in lbs as per the manual.
So we will see if this stops the seeping.
Anybody else have this issue?
How did you remedy it?
To me it looks like the cover screws are too tight as the gasket is bulging out under the cover screws.
So i go to the dealer today to get a new gasket. Well guess what, Harley doesn't sell the gasket alone. You have to buy the cover and gasket and the screws as a kit.
They want $30.00 for this kit.
So I loosen the screws and torqued them down to 14 in lbs as per the manual.
So we will see if this stops the seeping.
Anybody else have this issue?
How did you remedy it?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Interesting since 14 in lbs sounded like a lot (to me) since I do not torque maintenance covers with gaskets. I took my straight drive and hooked it to my torque wrench. You may be right. I bet by snugging and then a little more watching the gasket squeeze, I am putting at least 20 in lbs on mine. 14 in lbs is not much. Jerm83 appears to be saying your cover is not aluminum?
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 19, 2013 at 07:29 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Interesting since 14 in lbs sounded like a lot (to me) since I do not torque maintenance covers with gaskets. I took my straight drive and hooked it to my torque wrench. You may be right. I bet by snugging and then a little more watching the gasket squeeze, I am putting at least 20 in lbs on mine. 14 in lbs is not much. Jerm83 appears to be saying your cover is not aluminum?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
I have heard from the dealer and others for whatever reason , the chrome cover leaks less. I have found this to be true but all of them seem to seep after a few thousand miles. Sounds like you got the torque correct. When mine starts to seep, I take off the cap and clean it in denatured alcohol and dry it with air, I also carefully wipe off the rim of the master cylinder with same thing. Put it together and torque it as you did and it lasts for a while.Seems like they all seep since the change to DOT4 brake fluid. Next time you're at the dealer, look at the used bikes, you'll notice it on a lot of them. At my dealership a lot of the used bikes wear new chrome caps.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 444
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
I had the exact same problem. When I replaced the cover with an upgraded version, I noticed the gasket was much firmer. It does not bulge anywhere near as much as the original. I also made darn sure the gasket and reservoir contact surfaces were PERFECTLY dry. Then I just torqued until the gasket just started to deform. No seepage since.