Replacing the inner primary seal is a major job. You must remove all the primary drive components such as the primary chain and the clutch assembly. Then the exhaust system so you can get to the starter to remove it. Then you must remove the inner primary itself from the engne and the transmission. The seal is on the backside of the inner primary. If you replace the seal, remember to lubricate the lips of the seal as well as the mainshaft before you reinstall the inner primary. If you install the seal dry, when you start the engine the mainshaft will burn up the seal in about three seconds before the oil gets to the seal. Put some oil on that seal.
Now, once you're in there, you may find that it isn't your inner primary leaking at all. It could be a transmission seal. One of the worst culprits is the Quad Seal behind the spacer that is behind the front belt pulley. You'll need some special tools to remove the pulley and replace this seal if it's leaking. It looks like a standard O-ring but it isn't. Both the compensator sprocket nut and the front pulley nut require a LOT of torque. The compensator nut takes 150-165 foot pounds and the front pulley nut takes 150 foot pounds. Also, the mainshaft nut that holds the clutch assembly on takes 60-80 foot pounds of torque LEFT-HANDED. You will need a way to lock the front pulley and the primary chain in order to apply these levels of torque to the required fasteners.
This is a complicated job. That's why Harley charges so much to do it. I would suggest that you purchase a service manual as there is far too much involved in this job for me to type it in step by step here.
Good Luck
Steve
SOURCE: oil leak -between inner primary and transmission
There are several seals that can leak in this area. You say you replaced the mainshaft seal in the back of the primary. I've seen a lot of people replace this seal only to have it start leaking immediately. The reason was that they didn't know you must lubricate the seal before you reinstall the primary cover. When you put the primary cover on with the seal dry, when the engine starts up, the mainshaft immediately goes to 1000 RPM or higher with no lubrication on the seal. The friction burns the lip of the seal up before the lubrication in the primary can get there. It only take a second, literally.
Other seals that can cause leaks in this area are the large final drive gear seal in the face of the transmission behind the front belt pulley and the "Quad" seal that is inside the transmission. The Quad seal is almost like an O-ring. It's purpose is to prevent transmission lubricant from seeping out through the splines of the final drive gear. If the front sprocket splines wear and the sprocket gets the slightest bit loose, the compression on the Quad seal will be lost and the tranny will leak. The tale tell sign on this leak is that the transmission will leak a spot of oil about the size of a quarter or a bit bigger when you park the bike. If you wipe up the spot, it won't leak anymore until you either ride the bike or simply start the engine. Then it'll leak that quarter sized spot and stop. Check your lube level in your transmission.
Whenever I pull the inner primary and the belt on a Big Twin, I replace ALL the seals. Make sure you lubricate the lips on the seals so they don't cook before lubrication can get to the seal.
Good Luck
Steve
SOURCE: I have a 2004 Duece FXSTD. Drops of oil was found
not the inner primary it is the starter seal i have the same problem and cant seem to stop it even after changing the seal
SOURCE: oil leak at inner primary
06 Road king inner primary leak where shift lever comes out, seal was leaking...Under warranty fixed no charge, no further issues!
I have heard of this same leak on the V-twin Harleys due to normal motor vibration "unbalanced" which is normal on the older models the 2008's and newer baggers have a differant mounting system that eliminates the vibration/ jumping/ loping/ which again is a normal Harley engine
SOURCE: how do you replace the inner primary seal
unless you have done this before i would not attempt it unless you get some help.
SOURCE: I have a 2004 Duece
Did you check your front belt pulley? These pulleys are made of relatively soft cast iron as compared to the final drive gear. This is so that the easily replaced and relatively inexpensive front pulley wears before the difficult to replace and expensive final drive gear wears. The pulley will wear in the splined inner bore and will get loose on the final drive gear. Then transmission oil will run out of the pulley and down the inner primary. This is because of the lose of pressure on the "Quad" ring behind the pulley spacer. This may be your problem.
Another mistake a LOT of people make when replacing any seal is putting the seal up dry. On the inner primary seal, you want to put a bit sealer compound around the outer edge of the seal where it goes into the case. Although there are a lot new sealants out there, I still prefer good Permatex non-hardening. Once you get the seal in and straight, oil the inner seal surfaces and the bearing race. If you put the seal up dry, you start the engine, the mainshaft turns about 1000 rpm. This will burn up the delicate rubber lips on the seal almost instantly because of friction before the oil can get to the seal. You MUST lubricate the seal or it WILL burn up before you can blink an eye.
Also check the position of the inner primary bearing race. It must be 0.100" from the final drive gear. If it's way out of position, the seal may not be riding properly on it.
If you are in doubt about whether the transmission is leaking or the primary, refill the primary with a quart of automatic transmission fluid, the red stuff. It will work long enough for you to determine whether it's the transmission leaking or the primary leaking. If it's the transmission, check the front belt drive pulley for wear, You'll usually find that the large nut that holds it on is loose.
Good Luck
Steve
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