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72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 8:06 pm
by wavehog33
Have the tell tale sign of a leaking right crank seal. Smoking heavy from the right exhaust and not the sweet Klotz smell. Can I change the seal without splitting the motor? Just pull the clutch cover, clutch and primary gear. Then pull the seal and push in a new one?? Thanks!!!!
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 1:06 am
by tricky1962
People on here have said that the outer crank seals can be changed without splitting the crank cases.
I've never tried so don't know for sure
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 5:22 am
by wavehog33
tricky1962 wrote:People on here have said that the outer crank seals can be changed without splitting the crank cases.
I've never tried so don't know for sure
Thank you, Bob H are you out there??
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 1:12 pm
by Mencie
I have changed outer crank seals on a 380 and a 500 with success.
Right side, clutch side yes?
If it is, drop the oil, whip off the clutch cover, clutch and drive pinion on the crank end (you might be able to leave the clutch in place). If memory serves you then need to remove a spacer and a large circlip.
The seal should be exposed but is a tight interference fit between the top and bottom case.
The purists will probably cringe at this point. Next, using a sharp screwdriver, gently drive it into the old seal and gently lever it out, don't go mad with the screwdriver, you don't want to damage the bearing behind it.
Once out, offer the new seal up, smear some sealant round the outer edge if you like and using the old seal to protect the new one, gently drift it home, make sure it goes in square.
It sounds well iffy but I have used this method four times.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 6:50 pm
by PaulD
You don't need to drain the gearbox oil, you can lean the bike over on the other side & rest it on the foot rest. Also instead of using a screwdriver and risk damaging the crankcase (yes I know it can be done without damage but why take the chance) I drill two small holes (1mm ish) in the seal outer cage with my Dremel then screw two small tappers in and grab them with some sturdy pliers and Bobs yer mothers brother
P.s make sure you blow out any swarf with your airline before you remove the old seal
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 1:39 pm
by wavehog33
PaulD wrote:You don't need to drain the gearbox oil, you can lean the bike over on the other side & rest it on the foot rest. Also instead of using a screwdriver and risk damaging the crankcase (yes I know it can be done without damage but why take the chance) I drill two small holes (1mm ish) in the seal outer cage with my Dremel then screw two small tappers in and grab them with some sturdy pliers and Bobs yer mothers brother
P.s make sure you blow out any swarf with your airline before you remove the old seal
seal is out, the screw trick to the seal worked great. I drilled two small holes one on the top one in the bottom and threaded in two drywall screws and pulled each side, popped right out. Perfect.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 12:32 pm
by PaulD
Before you put the new seal in place make sure there are no burrs around the seal housing then I soak the new seal in two stroke oil overnight and smear some on the end of the crankshaft where the seal runs, drive the new seal in "GENTLY" with a suitably sized socket and the jobs done.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 2:44 am
by yeadon_m
Also, if there are any sharp bits on the end of the shaft it can be helpful to wrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around the end temporarily just before you slide the seal over, then pull off the tape. Its as smooth as a smooth thing on honey, then
Mike
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:00 am
by jabcb
Did you get this figured out?
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 12:00 pm
by PaulD
yeadon_m wrote:Also, if there are any sharp bits on the end of the shaft it can be helpful to wrap a couple of turns of PTFE tape around the end temporarily just before you slide the seal over, then pull off the tape. Its as smooth as a smooth thing on honey, then
Mike
Yes +1 on what Mike said, nice one Mike I had forgot to mention that

Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 7:12 am
by wavehog33
jabcb wrote:Did you get this figured out?
thanks Bob, seal is here and plan to finish today. Should be okay now. Thank you.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 7:16 pm
by wavehog33
Bust on the right seal. I had no problem installing the new seal but still smoking heavy from the right pipe. How common is the center/right seal fail? Any other ideas? Thanks
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 7:47 pm
by jabcb
If the problem was the right crank seal, then it might just take a while to clear out the right exhaust.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 9:33 am
by wavehog33
jabcb wrote:If the problem was the right crank seal, then it might just take a while to clear out the right exhaust.
Possible...it could be the center right side trode thehough too correct?? The center bearing is lubed with tranny oil? I rode it 10 min and still smoking more from right.
Re: 72 Suzuki T500 right crank seal replacement
Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 11:34 am
by tricky1962
I think a good 5 miles at 4000rpm (and subsequent numb fingers) are needed to burn off the residual oil in the crankcase and exhausts