Swingarm bushings + Transmission case leak (?)

[dotdash]

Good morning everyone -- 

I have some questions I'm hoping I can get some insight on. 

I bought a used swing arm off a Ruckus, it also came with the gear case attached.

I noticed while cleaning that there are two bushings looking pretty rough. I'd like to replace them if feasible. My only concern is that it could be a tough job without a press. 




However, I found this youtube video and thought it may be worth a try. What do you think? www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2kWQQkF1u8

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Transmission oil leak, or possible leak.

I was holding the swingarm last night and noticed it started to leak oil out from under one of the bolts. I did a double check that it's not the drain bolt, and I don't believe it is. 

I didn't have time to fool around with it last night but I will be today. First, going to try simply tightening the bolt to ensure it's to spec. If it still leaks, was going to consider taking the transmission case apart and re-assembling with new hardware. If it STILL leaks, I'm not sure. 

I believe it's this bolt: 


Lastly, does anyone know what this hole is for? I can't find any information on it. The similar sized hole (that's filled with something, to the left of hole) looks like it's filled with a dowel or pin or something. I've looked through the manual and can't find much information on it, nor on parts diagrams online. Anyone have insight to what this is and do I need to get it plugged? 




Thank you in advance for any assistance/insight 

[islandscrub]

Leaking bolt: Tighten and see, if not, new gasket/check for cracks.

Hole: Almost looks like the bolt is too short. Possibly put back in the wrong spot during a gear change. Not all the bolts are the same length.

[dotdash]

Seems leak is from the seals not the bolt, on further inspection. Seems someone has maybe been in the gearbox before? There are signs of sealant on the side. Here's where it is leaking, just under the sealant. I guess I'll need to take it apart for further inspection. I don't think it's road worthy as is.

[islandscrub]

Look slike a JBweld repair on that bolt hole. Well, hopefully it's jbweld..

[oldgeek]

Gearboxes on scoots are usually vented. The vent is usually a long channel leading to a hole in the gearbox exterior. If you handle the motor, have it upside down and on its side, gear oil sometimes works its way through the vent channel and out the vent hole. Looks like factory sealant on the case to me.

If the gearbox turns freely, I would just drain the gearbox, and add the recommended amount of fresh gear oil. Done!

And I change bushing and bearings just like in the video, when I am able to!

[dotdash]

On further further inspection, it actually seemed to be coming from the bolt. So, tightened down a bunch and did some *performance art* dancing in the yard with the swingarm and no leaks.

Took a look at the swingarm being replaced and there is a similar hole in the gearbox. So... I guess it's normal? We'll see

I think I'm going to go ahead and mount it without replacing bushings. Will see then how it does.

Thank you both!

[islandscrub]

Should be alright unless you see oil gushing out or you hear weird noises. As oldgeek says it could be the breather, I've just never seen one in real life in that location.

Good luck on the road ahead!

[GrumpyUnk]

Gotta go with 'fill it and forget it'. The single bolt involved should not affect strength significantly, and the case should stay attached and together fine. The vent is a 'labyrinth' which allows internal air to move out as the gear lube expands when heated. For lube to get out, it would have to have the case inverted(as it is in the first and some other pictures), and then be rotated in one direction, to allow the lube to follow the air passage around to the vent, usually on the lower side of the gear case. Roll the thing end over end enough and you WILL Get lube messing up the place.
I think they all seep lube to some degree, so I would clean as desired, and check lube level once a month, more if it seems to be leaky. Seepage is not a big problem except for aesthetics.
If you rotate the input shaft(where the clutch & bell assembly attach) you should be able to 'feel' the gears and bearings operate. If there is roughness of the input shaft bearing, or you can feel the gears grinding(a kind of rubbing feeling) it would be worth a gasket and some lube to take it apart and inspect. OTOH, if everything rotates smoothly, without apparent 'rough spots', it's likely good. ROugh spots can be damaged gears or damaged bearings. Bearings leave no room for 'stuff' between the race-ball-race to fit by without causing damage, which in turn causes creation of more 'stuff', and it is quickly down hill from there. You would feel 'bumps' in the rotation if there was damage.
I have one that completely destroyed the input shaft bearing such that the clutch flopped like a fish out of water, and the gears meshed 'when they wanted to'. Successfully repaired, needing to 'weld' onto the outer race for something to wham it out of the case. The remaining bearings were replaced due to possible damage from 'stuff' carried by the lube. Blind fitted bearings were removed by pouring melted candle wax into the center, and then fitting a rag(seal help) and shaft that was close to proper diameter, and whacking to displace the wax & the bearing. It worked. New bearings fitted everywhere. (try Fastenal for delivered to the store bearings at good prices - shipping like $.80 for a pair TO THE STORE!). Scoot out the door and ran very well. Smooth, and relatively easy to turn the gizzards.
tom

[dotdash]

Thank you for the descriptive write up. Definitely adding to my notes for reference.

I believe you may be correct in that I was inducing the seepage by rotating it a lot and keeping it inverted on the table or floor. I was in the yard giving it the NASA gyro test trying to check for source of leak. Seems I was muddling my test in retrospect.

I've since cleaned it up, tightened all bolts, and installed onto the bike. I have a clean area below the case where I'm checking for any frequent leaks. So far, everything is looking pretty good. I did try rotating the clutch and it smooth, so I'm hoping I'm in the clear.

I have some transmission lube on order for if I decide to drain and refill. Probably won't do that unless I start messing with swapping gears out, and that's way down the road. I checked lube by removing drain plug and tilting some, it looked a constant grey color. Not sure if that means it's pretty dirty or not. I always kinda thought brown was when it = time to replace. Maybe I have that backward.

Once this project is done I'll start a build thread and post some of the results, details, and pics.