Rear end.. What the heck???

[Big_Steve]

My trike had just under 8k miles when I bought it in May. After I paid, and before I picked it up, they checked things over and said the right rear drum had some differential fluid in it. They changed the seal, and all was well. Now I have just under 9k, and the trike started pulling hard to the right when the rear brakes are applied. I pulled off the drums, and now the left side is leaking into the drum. How the heck can the rear end have had two seals go bad in so few miles?

The bike had 8k on it, but the kit wasn't installed for a year or two. So the mileage could be even way less than that.

Dang it. It's out of the dealer 30 day warranty. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if they can fix it under the Motor trike warranty. Assuming it's transferable, and that there is time left on it.

It's a Ford rear end. I never had a car leak like that before 75k miles.

Is this common???

 

[PhilGilbert]

Once that seal is replaced you will probably never need to do it again. It's also a possibility the re-builder was a newbie and installed them both backwards.

 

[Carbon_One]

Another possiblity is that the differential was over filled. Seals will fail over time in cases like that. I think my Ford axle calls for 1 1/2 qts (pts?) of oil. I'll have to recheck specs
Larry

 

[Lonerbtw]

Did thay replace both or just the bad one? Or did thay check it and found it not leaking and told you thay replaced it. Sounds like thay eather put them in backwords or riped them when thay replaced the axle. (common) with lack of knowledge or careing. Thay should last 75 to 100,000 miles.
Loner

 

[Big_Steve]

They replaced the right when I picked it up. Now the left is leaking. The dealer has been very reasonable. I'll call them in the AM. Hopefully, Motor trike will cover it under the original warranty.

Does Motor trike change the seals when they buy these rear-ends? Hard to believe 2 could go bad so quickly. I'm tending to agree with the seals weren't installed correctly at Ford or Motor trike.

 

[Papa Zook]

MotorTrike buys used rears and narrows them, installs new axles, seals, gears. Call Richard at Motor Trike (1-800-90-TRIKE) or have the dealer call him. He spent years as a builder at MT and is a very knowledgeable guy. He is also the warranty contact person.

Randy

 

[Papa Zook]

Sorry Steve-
Deleted your last post by accident. I think the seals may have been installed wrong or just a bad set from the manufacturer, BUT its not really something i want to speculate on. It may not be that at all. Id say if the dealer replaced one already, whats the big deal in doing both??
Randy

 

[Big_Steve]

Arrrrg....... The dealer is pretending he doesn't know when the kit was installed, even though they bragged to me that they installed it. They're going to look at it, and let MT decide.

My butt they don't know when it was installed. They just want to be out of the line of fire if MT says no.

 

[Papa Zook]

There is a number stamped on the rear end, left axle tube, that you can track through MotorTrike and get the install date Steve. If you need more info call me at (334)648-0157.
Randy

 

[Big_Steve]

Thanks zook. I took a quick look for it while I had the drums off yesterday. Didn't find it, got sidetracked, forgot to keep looking.

I dropped it off too late today. Dealer has it, but can't look at it until tomorrow. The dealer has been great with everything else up until now. They either don't want to look up their files, or don't want to be in the middle if MT says no. It's certainly under the mileage limit. We'll see what MT comes up with for an install date. If it's within the time frame, I don't know how they could deny the repair.

Will know more tomorrow.

 

[John Luciano]

not like it is a big job . i use to change the whole rear spyder in my 56 Chevy in the driveway in 2 hours . The seals are part of the pull apart to get the spyder out .

 

[Big_Steve]

not like it is a big job . i use to change the whole rear spyder in my 56 Chevy in the driveway in 2 hours . The seals are part of the pull apart to get the spyder out .

I haven't done one, but read up on it, and I'm sure I could handle it. I'm an ok mechanic, but I get no enjoyment out of repairs. So if they'll do it free, I'm game.

 

[ThirdWheel]

Free is good...especially if it has a pop top!! :yes:

 

[Jimsjinx]

This is par for MotorTrike. They have a wonderful product, and the crappiest "after the original sale" customer care I have ever seen. How much better it would have been to smile at you, and say "no problem, it's a 6 dollar part", and you would brag about how good they treated you, from that day foreward! It's a 1 hour, at the most, job to change out a stupid differential seal Good Lord MotorTrike!:no: jimsjinx

 

[Big_Steve]

Well, Motortrike wasn't involved until today. What was going on was I was asking the dealer that installed it if it was under warranty, and they were being tight lipped about it. They got the number and called MT, who said it was installed longer than 3 years ago, so no warranty.

Then the DEALER called me and said he was sorry about that, and felt real bad about it, so he'll do it for free anyway.

I've got to hand it to this dealer. They gave me a 50/50 30 day warranty. I brought it in after a week, and they fixed something free. Now their warranty and the MT warranty is expired, but they're fixing it for free anyway.

It's a family owned place that has been the same location for 61 years. They get great word of mouth around town, and I understand why. I did pay cash for the trike in this bad economy, but a deal is a deal as far as the warranty goes. They're sure earning my business.

They sold this to me on consignment.

Maybe they made a little more on it then normal, since they didn't put any money out on it. They sure made their money on this bike over the years. They sold it new, then later that owner sold it through them consigned. The second owner had them trike it. Then she later sold it consigned through them to me. LOL maybe that's why they're being so good about everything. It's a goose that lays golden eggs.

 

[Jimsjinx]

You'd be well advised to treat that guy like GOLD! He's worth it, from what you said! Very exellent service. You see, I know they're out there, you just gotta find them, and then be watchful, but not a pain in the backside. Sounds like you got a decent shop!! Happy riding! jim

 

[Big_Steve]

Hot damn, and a bowl of grits!!

Got her back this afternoon. They replaced right and left seals, right and left brake pads, turned the drums, polished (??) the axles (have no idea what that's about, maybe there were some burrs on the axle hurting the seals.) New cover seal and fluid. Stops square and straight and true, and on a dime.

My cost: $0.00, even though the trike is out of the MT warranty, and the 50/50 warranty the dealer gave me.

Don't know if I can mention the dealer here, but if anyone is South of Tampa and wants to know who these folks are, PM me.

 

[Nana]

Re: Hot damn, and a bowl of grits!!

Mention away, Steve. They sound like great folks!!!!

 

[Big_Steve]

Re: Hot damn, and a bowl of grits!!

Mention away, Steve. They sound like great folks!!!!

Well alrighty then.

Haps Honda

17th str.

Sarasota, Fl.

man, do they stand behind what they sell.

 

[Jimsjinx]

Happy Days,Huh? That really is refreshing to hear! The guys in Dothan are good like that, when feasable. Hard to do if the builder won't see to reason. Yep, I'd show up some day with a couple meat lover pizzas for them!! Good deal! jimsjinx

 

[tomwine]

Re:Rear Brakes on RoadSmith Trike

I have a 2003 Gold Wing 1800 with a Roadsmith Trike kit done last year. I don't seem to have enough rear tire brake. Shouldn't I be able to "lock up" the back when braking for emergencies?
It has the stock master cylinder--or do I need a bigger master cylinder for the back? Someone mentioned this, but I am not sure.
I think the brake seems soft when I have to stop hard.

TomWine in MO

 

[meredog]

I am still looking for "that" dealer in Michigan. I have one of those great dealers for my Chrysler products and send lots of business to them because they are so good.

 

[Big_Steve]

Re: Rear Brakes on RoadSmith Trike

I have a 2003 Gold Wing 1800 with a Roadsmith Trike kit done last year. I don't seem to have enough rear tire brake. Shouldn't I be able to "lock up" the back when braking for emergencies?
It has the stock master cylinder--or do I need a bigger master cylinder for the back? Someone mentioned this, but I am not sure.
I think the brake seems soft when I have to stop hard.

TomWine in MO

I can lock mine up. My 1300 is most likely a lot lighter than your Wing though. AFAIK, I have the stock rear master cylinder.

You may want to go to the Honda forum here, and ask there for better info.

 

[meredog]

Thx---i am going to contact them to get the "steering fork" bearing checked. I just noticed it was a maintence item i was supposed to had got checked at 1,000 miles and then at 10,000 mile intervals.
give me a chance to get to know them
Thx