Kickstart oil seal very tight ?

The yaki

The yaki

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Has anyone found that a new kickstart seal is very tight on the shaft ? All other bearings , shaft , bushes and absolutely all other kickstart parts have been renewed. I had one from AN , too tight ! Now one from RGM. Same ! I had tried them on the old shaft as well and were too tight also . I assumed that the spring would be strong enough. It does return but very slowly. Perhaps it will "run in" ? Hmm ? Any thoughts, Roy.
 
The yaki said:
Has anyone found that a new kickstart seal is very tight on the shaft ? All other bearings , shaft , bushes and absolutely all other kickstart parts have been renewed. I had one from AN , too tight ! Now one from RGM. Same ! I had tried them on the old shaft as well and were too tight also . I assumed that the spring would be strong enough. It does return but very slowly. Perhaps it will "run in" ? Hmm ? Any thoughts, Roy.
Click to expand...
If you're talking about the AN X-ring seal in the outer cover, I've had no problem with them using old or new AN kickstart shafts. Try it without the seal to be sure it's the seal causing the problem.
 
It's definitely the seal. Metal ring round the outside ? I fitted the seals in the outside cover and tried the shafts through. Could almost not turn by hand. Tried all lubes. Left the second in and will have to wait for the kickstart to creep up. Not good !
 
The yaki said:
It's definitely the seal. Metal ring round the outside ? I fitted the seals in the outside cover and tried the shafts through. Could almost not turn by hand. Tried all lubes. Left the second in and will have to wait for the kickstart to creep up. Not good !
Click to expand...
OK, so the non-standard (improved) cover - I don't know anything about those. IMHO, you should write AN at: technical@andover-norton.co.uk and explain the issue since you said you bought everything from them.
 
Steel clad seals by themselves shouldn't cause any issue but it does make me wonder about the dimensions of the AN supplied seal.

Does the seal have any identification numbers ?

Just wondering whether the seal is a Metric equivalent that is slightly larger on the O/D

Perhaps the steel clad outer is deforming on installation and subsequently squeezing the rubber inwards ?

If it were me I'd measure the case and shaft and seal depth to self supply an all rubber seal from a bearing and seal supplier.
 
I've tried the X rings etc but still had problems. The best option is to get a Viton Oring one size larger in diameter than the original (oil it and force it into place with a wood rod). Leaks are gone and stay gone. No problems with the kickstart returning. "Oil tight over size Viton Orings for engine sump and transmission"
 
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I tried them before installing on both shafts , old & new, so it is the seals. Checked the date of purchase of the AN one. 2017, but still in packet. The other was new from RGM and the old shaft was almost certainly original. Have ordered another up to date AN one. 🤞This time ? Will look up Viton o'rings as well ! Roy.
 
Wouldn't also be useful to buy a new kickstart spring too in case the old one is weak and contributing to the problem. Seals are made to tight tolerances so I can't see a new one being any different unless your 2017 is suffering from hardened material.
 
I have the new cover from AN with the lipped seal. It was a bit harder to put the cover on the trans but nonetheless it went in. About a 1000 miles later, all good!
 
kommando said:
Seals are made to tight tolerances
Click to expand...
Indeed they are, normally

However it isn’t unusual to have differences come to light in the real world.

For example in the classic Land Rover scene the advice there for the gearbox output shaft seals is to use a Corteco branded seal as some alternatives don’t fit correctly and buckle upon insertion.
 
New seal from AN fitted a treat. Problem solved. Also , which part did the trick I'll never know but the kickstart now behaves correctly !!! Roy
 
New shaft, 1st gear, 2 new bearings, again new pawl, new pawl pin and spring, oil seal and , oh yes, letter from the bank !!! Pension for month gone . Roy. Forgot , and shaft bush ! Ps turns out that it was a new AN 1st gear fitted at last attempt 7 ? Years ago. It hasn't been used since so I have a new one with bush going cheap. Need beer fund topped up!
 
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