Trouble with New Crankshaft Seal

[a3dudek]

I removed the left side crankshaft seal on my 1980 xs1100 and got the replacement 32x48x8 (non OEM seal). i tried to put it in last night but it seemed really tight and i ended up destroying the seal trying to put it in.

Any suggestions on how to get it in?
Should it be that tight of a fit?
Is it the correct size for sure?

Thanks

[a3dudek]

no one has any suggestions?

[James England]

How did you try to put the seal in and what do you mean when you say you "detroyed" it? What exactly did you do to put the seal in and what was the result?

[WMarshy]

Did you lube it before you tried to put it in? (Here comes the comments...)

If you destroyed it, get another one.

[mharrington]

They require care and eveness to install but should go in. Make sure to clean away any remnats of the old seal from the case. I like to take a scotchbrite and WD40 and carefully polish the crankshaft surface. I also take a knife and slightly chamfer the edge of the aluminum cases that contact the outer diameter of the seal. I use a large piece of PVC pipe with gentle hammer taps to install. With gentle taps you can correct if one side is in further than the other. Its totally possible your new seal is not dimensionally correct as well.

[DGXSER]

Any suggestions on how to get it in?
Should it be that tight of a fit?

Ummm..........Oh...Ok.....I won't.

Seriously, though, yes it should be a tight fit, it has to seal the oil from seaping out under load. As to how to get it in, as Mr. Harrington stated, gently tap it in using some form of a "press". It has to be something just under the outer diameter of the seal, so you apply even pressure all the way around the seal.

[a3dudek]

so i for sure removed all the old seal, yes i oiled up the new seal and tried to tap it in with a mallet and piece of pipe but it seemed too tight and i could only get on end in at a time and ended up kinking one side of the seal and in the end ruining it. it seemed so tight it was kinda scrapping away material on the outer edge of the seal as i tried to tap it in. i bought the 32x48x8, is this the correct seal for an 1980? it seams like it a 32x47x8 would give me just the little bit of extra room i need while still staying tight.

[DGXSER]

If the seal gets offset in the hole, it will get tighter and may have been the problem for you. The idea of using a pipe or similar is that your povide an even force across the face of the seal so it goes in evenly.

[bikerphil]

i bought the 32x48x8, is this the correct seal for an 1980?

Yes it is, for the left (ignition) side.

[a3dudek]

cool, well i got another one and am going to get a perfect pipe this weekend and give it another try. i'll let you all know how it pans out.

[ViperRon]

You may try heating the seal in a warm pan of water. If it is rubber then it may shrink some to make it easier to slip into place. I know most things expand when heated and shrink cold but rubber is different.