Final Drive Leak

[ComputerGeek59]

I noticed a puddle of oil in my driveway tonight where my bike was sitting and it has a gear lube smell. I looked and it appears to be coming out of the bottom of the final drive. Is there a particular seal that seems to be a problem for these units? It is a 1998 with 76,500 miles. I have not pulled it apart yet but I know on my Concours there was a particular o-ring that always seemed to be the problem. This one does not appear to be leaking where the final drive connects to the rear swing arm like on my connie but seems like it is coming out of the bottom of the final drive.

Thanks,

Brad

[Nails]

Loose drain bolt?

[cushman eagle]

There is a seal in there,but I do not know it to be a problem.There are o-rings in the drive shaft that can leak if they are damaged on reassembly of the shaft,or if the final drive vent hole was not drilled.Both of these issues can be researched on the forum.On my '99,I recently found an oily residue there and it turned out to be my left shock leaking. If we can be any more help,please ask for the request.

[bikerking.biz]

First off, make sure that there is not too much oil in the rear end. Voyagers are notorious for leaking excess oil from there if they are overfilled. Remove the filler/inspection cap, the oil level should be about 1/4 inch below that hole. Make sure the bike is level and on the center stand when you check it. If oil flows out of that hole when the cap is removed, it is too full. See if it leaks still after you clean the area, and give it a few days to finish draining any that might still be on the rear end and hasn't dripped off yet.

[Jimvoyager01]

And make sure there is a vent hole at the top of the rear gear case

[ComputerGeek59]

Thanks guys! I had a leak on the left rear shock but that has since been replaced with progressive shocks and front springs. With over 76,000 miles and the bike being that age that it is I am not surprised that I have a leak. I ordered the seal and o-ring that go toward the wheel splines. They should be here either today or tomorrow. I will replace those as long as I have them coming. It is possible that the final drive was too full so I will make sure that I don't over fill it after I put it back together. I have been putting it on the center stand and have not seen any puddles in the past couple days. The leak does not appear to be too bad but it made a mess of my recently cleaned up rear wheel. With the exception of the engine itself, the clutch disks and plates, and the radiator hoses most of the rest of the bike as been addressed in my recent maintenance. Hopefully I can just ride it for a while without any further repairs. I love the way this bike rides!

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas on how to proceed.

Brad