When washing my bike (Wee) yesterday on the rear axle on the sprocket side I noticed a length of black rubber band like material protruding onto the axle/spacer and it appears the seal on that side has been chewed out. There seems to be a very slight leaking of greasy/oil fluid involved but nothing too serious. I want to get on to this quickly. Is it something the home mechanic can tackle. ie Purchase a seal and do it myself? I am familiar with the axle bearing set up etc to some extent?

Secondly any ideas what may have caused that...just had new tyres fitted (4,500 kms ago) so maybe something in the replacement of the axle at that time? or just wear and tear?

Chances are the spacer to seal interface was not clean and greased when re-assembled. Replacing the seal is not too difficult.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Its not a hard job Peter, if you have the tools and a bit ofan idea what your doing.
check that the spacer hasnt developed a wear groove, if so replace it or I can sleeve it with S/steel.
either way if you'd like a hand give me a yell.

__________________
"Travel by Gravel and double your map" - Wardy (Saturn5)

2012 KTM 990 ADV.
K8 WEE - My Mods Blog http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=50363

My spacer has a groove. It is smooth though and the seal nestles into it just fine.

If the groove is rough, that's a different story.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

if the inner seal lip doesnt make contact with the spacer surface then the seal is not doing its job, and your bearings will be toast before too long, especially if your bike sees any gravel.

__________________
"Travel by Gravel and double your map" - Wardy (Saturn5)

2012 KTM 990 ADV.
K8 WEE - My Mods Blog http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=50363

I can't imagine a spacer wearing that much. It would have to wear down beyond contact so what would be wearing it?

__________________
Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

doesnt happen as often or as quickly on bikes with steel (hard) spacers, but alot of trail bikes (all my Ktm's) have alloy spacers (soft).

Grit and sand gets under the seal lip and causes wear, add a little grease and you get grinding paste.

__________________
"Travel by Gravel and double your map" - Wardy (Saturn5)

2012 KTM 990 ADV.
K8 WEE - My Mods Blog http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=50363

I can understand a dirt scoot with aluminum spacers but the Stroms are steel. I replaced the sprocket carrier bearing with a totally sealed bearing so my spacer seal is just a dust seal now.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Hi Pete,
Wardy and GW are on the right track. Have had the same happen on trail bikes and a few roadies myself. Could also be that the seal was damaged ever slightly (misalignment of the spacer/ axle during a tyre change ??? Have clumsily done this myself in my early years) deforming the seal and causing it to be out of round and inducing the 'rubber band'. Make sure you check the spacer for wear as Wardy said. You'll need a new seal my suggestion is to take it down the local bearing centre and get it measured up and get one from there, the genuine is a tad expensive.

By the sounds of things by having oily stuff appearing in that area it could be the grease mixing up with the water and making its way out. I would be checking the condition of your carrier bearing as well, if it is the original one it will not be a double seal bearing and water can toast it if the oil/dust seal is letting gunk through. Also the carrier bearing is not a standard size, again the genuine is way expensive give the local bearing centre a go they can get it in for you, make sure you put in a Double seal (DS) bearing (Suzuki will only give you a single seal bearing) you'll see the difference when you compare the new with the old- it will keep all the crap out and last a hell of a lot longer.

Like Wardy I wouldn't use grease on the seal but a smear of oil, nothing worse than a dry seal on dry metal. And like GW on my Strom I have changed out the wheel bearings, carrier bearing, seal, cush drives (and all from wear), all bearings have been replaced with DS jobs. Just need to keep reminding myself everything is built to a budget..........

If not too sure on what to look for, Wardy is a good source of info - heaps of experience - a quick buzz and he'll put you on the right track.

Steve.

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03 V Strom. Racetech springs gold valves, 'shocktreatment' rebuilt rear shock (spring and valving), Pro taper high ATV bars and Storm Barkbusters modded from honda transalp, eastern beaver power outlet headlight relay mod and fuse block, power commander, givi top case and panniers, staintune exhaust.

I'm a little confused, I cant see a post by Saturn5 (wardy)

anyway bearing and seal info for the rear

1 off bearing - 62/32-2RS (aftermarket)
2 off bearing - 6204-2RS/C3 (aftermarket)
1 off seal - 28 x 4 x 77 (aftermarket)
1 off seal, Cushdrive side - had use the Suzuki Oem part for this one, as its a odd size (39mm) and know one it tried had a match for it.
Suzuki part No: is 09285-39001

__________________
"Travel by Gravel and double your map" - Wardy (Saturn5)

2012 KTM 990 ADV.
K8 WEE - My Mods Blog http://www.stromtrooper.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=50363