Rocket III Diff problems?

[fog]

Hi - I own a 2005 Rocket - had it from new - it has done 21000 klm - - I have been told by my triumph agent that it has developed a leak from the front seal of the diff - where the drive shaft enters - they are saying that this seal is a no servicable part - new diff required at a cost of $6000 - needless to say that I`m not impressed - can anyone put some light on whether this seal is replaceable and if anyone else has had any problems with this seal ? all the best guys .

[Pig9r]

A new final drive is about $2100US. Check bikebandit.com http://www.bikebandit.com/triumph-mo...-2005/o/m17635

If your dealer was worth a squat, they would contact Triumph to see if they will cover it because it is not a common failure.

Also see if your bike had the final drive recall performed on it.

http://www.caroops.com/recalls-2005_TRIUMPH_ROCKET%20III.html

http://www.triumph.co.uk/venezuela/135_1783.aspx

[Apollo_18]

Usually, I don't join chicken little gang of panic, but it sounds like your dealer should be helping you out a lot more on this issue.

Go the extra steps and check that recall as suggested. Also, contact the appropriate persons at Triumph to get some help and support.

Those rear drives did have initial problems to the extent that Triumph did a complete retro-fit of the entire assembly on all bikes effected.

$6000, you might as well buy a whole bike off ebay for a few dollars more for parts or something.

But, try the other routes first. It is possible that the shop that you are using might not have your satisfaction at the top of their list. Although they certainly should.

Keep us posted as to what happens please.

Cheers !!!

[Mike M2]

I agree with Pig9r and Apollo 18. If the dealer was worth their salt they would contact Triumph and get some kind of resolution.

If Triumph won't take care of it, I would check how bad the leak is for myself. It doesn't sound as if you noticed anything before you took it in? Granted nobody likes little puddles of oil everywhere but $6000 will buy an awful lot of gear oil.

[Diego]

Originally Posted by Mike M2

Granted nobody likes little puddles of oil everywhere but $6000 will buy an awful lot of gear oil.

Maybe, but it won't buy much time in a hospital.

The potential consequences of accidentally letting the drive train run low on oil are pretty drastic. This sort of problem definitely needs attention.

[Mike M2]

Obviously $6000 won't buy you much of a hospital stay.

Without seeing how bad its leaking, its tough to say. I also find it really hard to believe the seal itself is unserviceable.

[Diego]

There's nothing "tough to say" about it. Unless you're willing to check the oil level every single ride, the bearing can sieze without warning. If it's already been too low even once, you're running on borrowed time.

The repair requires a precision hydraulic press capable of 500+ psi. If the bearing and seal aren't in place perfectly square, sudden failure is a possibility. This is not a job for a shade-tree mechanic. That's why Triumph insisted on replacing the whole assembly at their expense during the recall, not replacing the seal. If they had thought it could be done cheaper, you can bet they would have preferred to do so.

[Mike M2]

Over the years I have become quite cynical when it comes to predicitons of impending doom when it comes to mechanical things. How much do you trust the dealer?

Without seeing or being able to gauge the amount of oil leaking over a period of time it is "tough to say". I mean how bad is it leaking anyway? I would have to see it for myself. Thats all I'm trying to say here.

[Diego]

And all I am saying is, it doesn't matter with this unit how badly it's leaking! Diagnostically speaking, on this issue, it doesn't even matter whether you trust your dealer or not! If it's leaking at all, it's serious business with this machine...there is NO rate of leakage that is safe. If you don't respect what this kind of horsepower and torque can do when a bearing siezes, you frankly have no business owning a Rocket.

Sure, the mechanic's knowledge and the dealer's integrity are important concerns--but only insofar as getting the drive assembly replaced on terms that are fair to the customer, not WHETHER it should be done. Pig9r and Apollo 18 are right that the dealer should work with Triumph on resolving this; but if a free replacement is not in the cards, Pig9r is also right that it shouldn't cost anywhere near $6000, either. But simply not doing the job on the basis of rationalizing the problem as too insignificant to spend the money on, is not a realistic option.

Again: Triumph wouldn't have insisted on replacing the whole assembly in the recall if there had been a cheaper way to replace the seal safely enough, now, would they?

[Mike M2]

There's other options here also, I'd wager a competent machine shop could replace the seal for far less.

As for respecting the Rocket? Its a machine plain and simple.