Leaking from Shifter shaft.....help

[warsaw1776]

so first it leaked from the inspection cover, which i put sealent, as suggested, on it. now its coming out of the shifter shaft. my question is what do i need to do to fix this problem. I am going to swap out the primary gasket while i am there but what specifically will fix this problem. here is the list of stuff i am going to pic up
Primary Cover Gasket
Shifter Bushing
shifter shaft oil seal

also, should i put gasket sealer on the new primary gasket? I saw the other thread on primary cover removal but if you have any tips other tips i would appreciate it. Thanks everyone.

[redrider]

the only time mine leaked from shaft seal it was because i had over filled primary .

[warsaw1776]

ok, so the manual says the us a "rear wheel support stand" to raise the rear wheel. to be clear thats the same a a pit bull rear stand? i just wanna make sure i am getting the right measurement.

even if it was overfilled, why would it leak? i would think the whole case would be sealed?

bare with me, im learning as i go.

[rusty2004xb]

Path of least resistance = leak. The primary seal wont usually break due to overfilling, easier to seep or leak from fill port.

[warsaw1776]

soo i checked the level while on the rear stand and if i am seeing it all right it looks low, however if the rear wheel is too high i can see how it would be too full too.

when i started to take off the clutch inspection cover oil started to drip out, looked like it had collected in the cover but couldnt quite make it out until i loosened it.

So say it is currently overfilled, does this mean i need to replace the shifter shaft seal or just remove oil?

[chrispudd]

Whenever i pull of the inspection cover a bit of oil comes out too. It kinda collects on the bottom recess in the cover.
Your shift shaft seal could leak if it's gotten hard from age, or if the last time the cover was off the lip could have been nicked by the splines.
Very easy seal to change once you remove the primary cover. My advice? drain the primary/trans. remove primary cover. Change seal. refill with 1 litre of your favourite trans fluid. I use H-D formula +. You have a manual and it explains everything pretty well. And we're always here to help a fellow Bueller too. :)

[warsaw1776]

sounds good, i will prob just do that. do i just need the shifter shaft oil seal then?

Also, how long about would you say this would take for a first timer. i get home at about 4 from work and have till about 7ish of good light. or should i wait for the weekend?

also, is using the pit bull rear stand to check the level right or wrong?

[JG503]

it should not take long to change the seal at all. if your going to be doing it with the primary cover off it will take longer b/c you have to loosen all those bolts and remove the clutch cable i think. not sure if you can get away with leaving it attached. but id say an hour maybe or a little more. WRONG! always fill and inspect both oil levels while on the kick stand. the engine oil(rear swing arm) should take about 2.5 qrts. the primary(transmission) will take 1 qrt only, it should just about come to the bottom of the clutch adjustment hole on the primary cover. if you already did the primary cover you might be able to get away with changing the shift shaft seal by just disassembling the shift linkage and pulling the seal out of the counterbore that it sits in if you have tools that are like dental tools that are hooked and very sharp and pointy you might be able to pull it off the shaft and slip the new one on. just throwing options out there.

[Andrew88M]

I just did my seal and it took me about 15 to 20 minutes. Mine was leaking from the same spot and it wasn't overfull. I didn't have to take the primary cover off at all. with a little finess with a set of pics you should be able to get the seal out. I used a socket to fit just over the shift rod without touching it and deep enough to seat the seal in the cover and just tapped it in, very easy thing to do. you should only need the seal, work stand and just check your trans fluid for proper level.

[warsaw1776]

what is the clutch adjustment hole? and thanks for the info. i did fill and drain it on the kick stand when i changed it, i was confused becuase the manual says to lift the rear wheel.

[JG503]

the clutch adjustment hole is is right above the shift lever. i dont have a picture. it is behind the cover that bolts to the primary cover obviously right above the shift lever peg. if that makes any sense. warsaw you were going to do the primary cover gasket as well right? if so just make sure you tightnen all the bolts evenly. i think there is a sequence in the manual. just dont tighten some more than others b/c there is the potential to bend the cover and i wont seat evenly and it will continue to leak.

[warsaw1776]

So i went out to check the level with the bike on the kick stand, with the front wheel turn all the way to the left. quit a bit of oil poured out when i loosened the clutch inspection plate, not sure how much but enough to make a mess and have me run to grab the oil pan. as of right now its up to the brim of the primary case. so what you guys are saying is it still has too much?

[jimijeans]

When you are changing the fluids on a Buell warm up the bike for maybe 5 mins.A short ride is better.There are Manuals TOP of Page! The stand is a good way to keep the bike Level & work Safely along with getting (as much fluid) out as possible.The Primary shaft shifter seal usually needs replaced about 15,000 To 18,000miles give or take. Most wait till it Leaks. You should Always replace the seal & gaskets when it leaks due to being able to inspect the parts that are Wear items .You just may notice something that you can Prevent from happening.YOU don't need to remove the clutch cable.If you are careful.The Primary Takes Exactly One Quart.If the bike is on the Kick Stand it will still have a small amount still in it. Snug the o'ring style drain plug(Don't kill it)with over tighting.These are Air Cooled machines so Good Fluids are best for LESS repairs.Amsoil works good in Both Engine & Tranny.Have fun learning your bike.Ride safe.~Jimi

[warsaw1776]

thanks for all the help and advice everyone. like i said it is porb still overfilled because it is right on the brim of the clutch inspection cover but i went ahead and rode to work and i havent seen it leak yet. i am still going to replace it but i wanted to try it with less oil first.

[anrkizm95]

check the primary fluid with the bike off the kick stand in an up rite position and level

[warsaw1776]

wait what? someone explain how to check the primary fluid and where the fuild level should be.

[warsaw1776]

Anyone? should it be on the kickstand or off the kickstand in the up right position?

i've searched the manual and cant find it anywhere.

[Stevenc150]

You need someone to hold the bike upright (vertical) or lean it against a wall if you're brave. Then check level to ensure it matches the below pic. Me, I just drain the Primary & re-fill by dumping 1 quart in - comes out the right level everytime. (Not sure why you're not seeing it in the manual, it's even in the Owner's manual)

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2339_20090415192329_L.jpg

[jimijeans]

If you don't have someone to help you, Try This simple trick. A 1-inch thick by 3 to 4 inch wide piece of good wood at least 5 inches Long. Mostly called a 1X4 make sure it is flat. With kick stand down on Level area, just slip it in under the kickstand the bike is now ALMOST level. Any more than that and you could tip it in the other direction. If bike is on a slight incline Put it in 1st gear. Hope this helps AND it's cheap till you can get a pit stand! Just remember not to lean on the bike.~Jimi[smirk]

[warsaw1776]

ok thank you. And i dont have a owners manual, i used to just go off the one on the buell website but its not there anymore.

i checked it today and it looks good, so im not sure what i did because when i changed it, i completely drained it(at least i thought i did) and poured in a qaurt, so hopefully it is good now.

[jandj_davis]

Check the Primary fluid when the bike is level (off the kickstand). Check the Engine oil (in the swingarm) with the bike on the kickstand.

[warsaw1776]

So im going to change the oil seal on the shifter shaft today but my question is what part exacally do I need to replace. Is it the rubber tube that is about a half inch wide or is it the piece after that? Thank you

[Andrew88M]

after you pull the linkage and shifter off there will be a rubber washer just after that there will be the seal, remove the seal and when I reinstalled I took a deep well socket and a hammer and gently reinserted the new seal.

[warsaw1776]

Ok thank you....I will give it a go