Replace Gasket, Yes or No
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Tourer
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
Replace Gasket, Yes or No
I purchased a used Screaming Eagle 6 speed transmission to replace the 5 speed in my 05 ultra. He drained the oil and removed the rear stabilizer before shipping the tranny. The 5 blots holding the stabilizer on at the rear of the oil pan were left out because they were longer and he didn't have the original 5 bolts to put back in. Also, the bottom 4 bolts that go through the bearing housing assembly that hold the exhaust bracket on were removed to get the bracket off and then he just threaded them back on by hand. My question is, do I need to replace the oil pan gasket and the gasket at the bearing housing or can I just put the correct size 5 bolts back in the pan and put my exhaust bracket on and tighten the bolts at the bearing housing. I'm not trying to cheap out on gaskets, but if it isn't going to make a difference, I have a lot of other things I'm doing right now that the money could be used for. The oil pan and the bearing housing have not been removed from their gaskets, just bolts removed and left out. Thanks for the advise. -Rick
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From: Knoxville, TN
I don't think that oil pan gasket has been compromised.
Either gasket, actually.
You might want to run a torque wrench over them, in the correct pattern, though.
(I can't believe I replied this way...I'm old school, loosen a bolt, change the gasket)
Either gasket, actually.
You might want to run a torque wrench over them, in the correct pattern, though.
(I can't believe I replied this way...I'm old school, loosen a bolt, change the gasket)
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You can get away with re-using gaskets most times...
There have been a couple of guys late last year, who had a leaking right side tranny cover (clutch release cover) gasket caused by loose bolts in the exhaust bracket/tranny cover. Simply tightening the bolts cured the leaks.
You will need to install the clutch cable into the clutch release cover, so you can check that gasket visually to see if there are any probs which might require a new gasket.
Since you are not removing the pan, or the bearing cover (trap door), those gaskets should be ok. One thing tho, you cannot see if the gasket has been damaged from torquing the bolts down, so that's a crap shoot at best.
There have been a couple of guys late last year, who had a leaking right side tranny cover (clutch release cover) gasket caused by loose bolts in the exhaust bracket/tranny cover. Simply tightening the bolts cured the leaks.
You will need to install the clutch cable into the clutch release cover, so you can check that gasket visually to see if there are any probs which might require a new gasket.
Since you are not removing the pan, or the bearing cover (trap door), those gaskets should be ok. One thing tho, you cannot see if the gasket has been damaged from torquing the bolts down, so that's a crap shoot at best.
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Tourer
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
CroK and Bad Piggy, would either one of you replace them just for the piece of mind. After thinking about it. it's and easy job now...would be a pain latter if they were compromised.
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They're metal gaskets, made to be re-used.
If you have easy access to them right now, better safe than sorry.
You could be replacing them 500 miles from now.
Your call.
I would.
(But I'm one **** SOB)
If you have easy access to them right now, better safe than sorry.
You could be replacing them 500 miles from now.
Your call.
I would.
(But I'm one **** SOB)
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My peace of mind is settled by my own personal inspection...
I've been a mechanic most of my life, in many different fields, so I do know what a gasket looks like if it can be used again or not. Even then, there have been a few that managed to 'weep' a little oil so even careful inspection doesn't always guarantee no leaks. As I said above, if you can't see the gasket yer takin a shot at hoping it's ok.
BadPiggy made the statement above that the gaskets were metal, and made to be re-used. Not to be argumentative, but that isn't necessarily true. This particular one we're speaking about is made of metal, sandwiched between two pieces of paper gasket material. The metal is actually contoured longitudinally (along it's length), so that when the parts are mated together the metal will conform to any irregularities more readily. This is how they were able to solve many of the infamous harley oil dripping. Once that metal has been torqued down, it loses the ability to conform as well. I don't know of any gasket which was actually made to be re-used, other than some industrial 0-rings, and even those must be inspected carefully each time they are removed and re-installed.
If there is any question at all, founded by proof of evidence or not, replace the gasket(s). Even the savings of re-using an expensive gasket isn't worth having to tear it down again...
I've been a mechanic most of my life, in many different fields, so I do know what a gasket looks like if it can be used again or not. Even then, there have been a few that managed to 'weep' a little oil so even careful inspection doesn't always guarantee no leaks. As I said above, if you can't see the gasket yer takin a shot at hoping it's ok.
BadPiggy made the statement above that the gaskets were metal, and made to be re-used. Not to be argumentative, but that isn't necessarily true. This particular one we're speaking about is made of metal, sandwiched between two pieces of paper gasket material. The metal is actually contoured longitudinally (along it's length), so that when the parts are mated together the metal will conform to any irregularities more readily. This is how they were able to solve many of the infamous harley oil dripping. Once that metal has been torqued down, it loses the ability to conform as well. I don't know of any gasket which was actually made to be re-used, other than some industrial 0-rings, and even those must be inspected carefully each time they are removed and re-installed.
If there is any question at all, founded by proof of evidence or not, replace the gasket(s). Even the savings of re-using an expensive gasket isn't worth having to tear it down again...
Last edited by CroK; Jan 27, 2011 at 08:08 AM.
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