Motor Trike Rear End Maintenance

[AzBTO]

Just took delivery of 2013 F6b with Motor Trike Raptor kit and was poking around underneath, you know, because I can... anyways, I noticed the underside of the rear end was covered in what appeared to be oil / dirt. Further investigation revealed that the gasket around the pumpkin appears to be leaking. Was curious if other Motor Trike owners have replaced this seal and if so what are the steps involved. I believe their rear ends are all the same so anyone with experience with this please chime in. Thanks.

 

[3W-lonerider]

Just took delivery of 2013 F6b with Motor Trike Raptor kit and was poking around underneath, you know, because I can... anyways, I noticed the underside of the rear end was covered in what appeared to be oil / dirt. Further investigation revealed that the gasket around the pumpkin appears to be leaking. Was curious if other Motor Trike owners have replaced this seal and if so what are the steps involved. I believe their rear ends are all the same so anyone with experience with this please chime in. Thanks.

iv'e had mine off twice for replace axle seals, because you have to pull the axles to do it.

but as far as that gasket leaking, its no big job. put a pan under it before unbolting the rear cover. take all bolts out except the very top. as you loosen the top one pry out on the lowest part of that cover. by not taking the top one out to begin with it will give you alittle control over the oil flow.clean both surfaces well. the put a thin film of permatex on the pan and then lay gasket on the pan. put a thin film on the gasket then bolt it back onto the rear. the fill plug is on the right side in the front. gasket number is. rds55081 fed pro.

lubricant is 75w140 synthetic axle lube. should take 3.3 pints.

 

[AzBTO]

Thanks for the reply 3W, do you have an F6b as well? If not what trike do you have? I took the right side wheel off to check the vent tube but no signs of leaking / overflow from that. What signs did you have the axle seals were bad? Only 2k on the bike so hard to believe anything is leaking.... but when you have dirt covered something on the bottom of the differential something isn't right. Need to get an allen socket big enough to take the fill plug out so I can check the level before I start any major tearing apart. Also, any body removal required when replacing any of the gaskets / seals you mentioned?

 

[CrystalPistol]

OK, I see below ….. where they used to use the 8", with pumpkin in a SA set up, now using the 7-1/2" integral style (like was in my '85 Thunderbird) modded to work with IRS.

 

[AzBTO]

Website says 7 1/2", looks just like this but not as pretty. Leak (if there is one) has been there for awhile as there is dirt buildup on the outside of the "silver things" (see picture) but most of it being at the bottom rear of the "Pumpkin" and the support rails underneath. As I stated earlier I saw what appeared to be oil around the edge of the gasket, maybe it just didn't get a good seal. Will check fluid level after I get the correct size allen socket, hopefully I don't have to remove too much stuff if it's just the cover gasket. Any thoughts on whether removing the body will allow easier access or am I stuck ripping the whole rear end apart?

 

[CrystalPistol]

OK, yeah, just a rear cover on those. Still a Ford rear, but used in a lot of cars and small PUs, but it's been modded to work with IRS.

The '90s era (like '89-'97) V-8 Tbirds used a 8.8" rear with the IRS set up, not sure, might have used 7.5s with V-6? I have two of the V-8 cars, never looked under a V-6 T-bird but Rock Auto shows me some V-6 cars used 7.5s. My '85 Tbird was a 302 V-8, but used a 7.5" SA rear.

I'd still just clean well and check fluid level and monitor unless it's a big leak. I first thought you had a gasket leak in a different place, but there at the axle points, it's axle seals and some weepage isn't unusual with time. To replace seals there, the CV axles will have to be dropped at pumpkin end and there'll be seals in the housing where shafts exit.

Also, look for a vent hose and make sure not kinked. Might just be a short lightly spring loaded vent cap and no hose. It'll be up on high side someplace. Fill plug is often just a square 3/8" or maybe 1/2" recess for a ratchet to fit.

 

[3W-lonerider]

Thanks for the reply 3W, do you have an F6b as well? If not what trike do you have? I took the right side wheel off to check the vent tube but no signs of leaking / overflow from that. What signs did you have the axle seals were bad? Only 2k on the bike so hard to believe anything is leaking.... but when you have dirt covered something on the bottom of the differential something isn't right. Need to get an allen socket big enough to take the fill plug out so I can check the level before I start any major tearing apart. Also, any body removal required when replacing any of the gaskets / seals you mentioned?

I see you have the irs setup. So everything i typed does not apply to you. I have a solid axle.

 

[AzBTO]

Well I might have made a mountain out of a mole hill..... checked fluid level and it's ~ 3/4" below fill plug, Motor Trike tech support said it is usually just a little over 1" below.

Guess I'll do a thorough cleaning and ride the sh&t out of it..... thanks to everyone who chimed in, I appreciate it.

Also, as an FYI.... MT support is top notch in my books. I've pinged them many times in the last few weeks and they have responded every time with good suggestions / information.

 

[JaysGone]

As others have already said. Check the axel seals. My trikes rear end including the pumpkin. Was covered in a blackish dusty looking film. It was the rear seals.

Shot and replaced.

 

[AzBTO]

going to give it a good cleaning this weekend and monitor the level. anyone have any good references on rear end seals? I know where the pumpkin cover seal is but not exactly sure how many other seals there are and where they are located.

 

[AzBTO]

Got it cleaned up and am going to run it for awhile, did notice the boots are starting to crack so I'm sure after a summer in arizona it will be time to replace.

For future planning purposes where would i get a "list" of items to replace (seals, boots, etc) and does anybody know if removing the body will be required? The most difficult access point that i can see would probably be the plate on the back of the pumpkin, upper bolts look like they are tucked away behind cage braces.

 

[JaysGone]

For me this was one job I let the Motor Trike dealer take care of But at the time the closest dealer was 135 miles away.

So I found a local bike repair willing to do it. They called MT and got the parts needed. The mechanic said the seals they sent were junk and got some on his own,

6 years later trikes still leak free. And the mechanic that did the work. Wont ever work on my trike again.................Still will work on my Yamaha.

Said the job and trike was a PIA.