Mark 3 crankshaft seal retainer

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sadolfsonmark3

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I am rebuilding my 1975 mark 3 have the primary off and apart and am looking to replace the drivers side crankshaft oil seal. there is a wire retaining clip holding the seal in place. It is not a normal retaining ring and I can't find anywhere to grab it and get it out of the slot. I seem to remember that many years ago I did get it out but I don't recall how. Does anyone have a method of getting it out of there without marring up the whole situation?
 
The circlip should have a bent end that you grab with a small plier or pry out with a small screwdriver blade. If there is no bent end you should be able to use a sharp pick under the end.
 

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  • Mark 3 crankshaft seal retainer
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sadolfsonmark3 said:
I am rebuilding my 1975 mark 3 have the primary off and apart and am looking to replace the drivers side crankshaft oil seal. there is a wire retaining clip holding the seal in place. It is not a normal retaining ring and I can't find anywhere to grab it and get it out of the slot. I seem to remember that many years ago I did get it out but I don't recall how. Does anyone have a method of getting it out of there without marring up the whole situation?
Click to expand...

Yes, use a razor blade. It lifts very easily.
 
sadolfsonmark3 said:
I am rebuilding my 1975 mark 3 have the primary off and apart and am looking to replace the drivers side crankshaft oil seal. there is a wire retaining clip holding the seal in place. It is not a normal retaining ring and I can't find anywhere to grab it and get it out of the slot. I seem to remember that many years ago I did get it out but I don't recall how. Does anyone have a method of getting it out of there without marring up the whole situation?
Click to expand...

I have used a dental pick with good results.
 
Unfortunately mine doesn't look at all like what's pictured above. Instead it is just a flat coil that sits in the groove with no way to grab it. I'd load a picture but I doubt it will show well. I'll still try to get behind the edge and see if I can pull it out. I may have to get a dental pick! Thanks for the replies.
 
The old seal doesn't look in too bad shape so I think I'll just leave the old seal in and smear some RTV high temp sealant around the edge. I also have a reed type crankcase breather on the way and that will help stop the oil migrating into the primary.
 
sadolfsonmark3 said:
The old seal doesn't look in too bad shape so I think I'll just leave the old seal in and smear some RTV high temp sealant around the edge. I also have a reed type crankcase breather on the way and that will help stop the oil migrating into the primary.
Click to expand...
If you had engine oil migrating through the seal and into the primary then you must change that seal. I change it as a matter of course each time the primary comes apart , matter of course. Same goes for earlier models.
 
As background the bike sat for a few years and the oil drained into the bottom of the crankcase. Many years ago I had used heliacoils on the two bottom studs holding on the outrigger plate and used loctite on the studs but the over the years I think that may have been a source of oil seepage. I have the metal rimmed seal and I have read elsewhere on this forum that the oil can seep around the outside of it. I'd like to replace the seal with the rubber rimmed one but as I stated I cannot get the circlip out. Perhaps if I drilled into the old seal and forced it out of there I MIGHT be able to remove the ridiculouss circlip but if I can't I will have no seal and a useless motorcycle. At this point I think I will leave the oil out over the winter and when I get it running (hopefully) in the spring I will check for seepage by removing the primary drain plug every few days and drain what little oil is in the primary out. I'd also like to do something to stop any wet sumping eventually. but that is a whole 'other subject.
 
I think if I were in your position I'd do whatever was necessary to resolve the issue and get that clip out. There must be a way.

Can you show us a picture?
 
It shouldn't be that hard to do. Get something under the clip. Like a jeweler's tool , a very small screwdriver , a pick tool or whatever and prise it over the lip. Then grab it with fine needle nose pliers and don't sweat about being brutal with it as you will be replacing it and the seal itself.
 
I wish the older cases had a retainer. I went to change the seal on my 74 and it literally fell out in my hand. New one went in with some Yamabond around it.
 
I wish it had a retainer like the one pictured above and it would be simple to get out. Mine is flat like #14 in the Oldbritts Group 5 parts but it' s continuous ring and there are no holes for a snap ring pliers. My seal doesn't look too bad and The inner
hasn't been pushed out.. I have Hondabond. Might be better than RTV. I'll let it sit a while and work on my other bike seeing's how there is a foot of snow on the ground and maybe I'll have a brainstorm. And try to post a pic that will capture what I'm talking about. Thanks for your responses guys!
 
How old is the seal and/or how many miles on it ?
A seal is cheap and you are in there already.
 
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