Gasket sealer on final drive?

[TBexp[2]]

Hey all:

I partially disassembled my 84 R100's final drive a few days ago. Neither the gasket for the drive to the swingarm or the gasket between the "cover" and the main housing appear to have come from the factory with a sealer on them. I know that there's not much pressure, but no sealer? Is is OK to reassemble with just the gaskets - without sealer?

Thanks

Tom B

[melville]

If the gasket is printed on one side, put that on the warmer side, probably the final drive. That usually indicates an adhesive.

I took my /6 FD off the swingarm a couple weeks ago, and there was no evidence of sealer nor do I remember using any sealer 10 years ago. There was a leak, but it wasn't from that joint.

[Rob Frankham]

BMW specify either Loctite 573 or a paper gasket. I think the factory just used the gasket. If the mating faces are clean and undamaged, a gasket should be fine... but a smear of sealant isn't going to hurt any.

Most interfaces on a BMW are made without sealant... sealants are only really necessary for bikes with inadequate mating faces (like a lot of old british bikes) and where mating faces have become damaged.

The most important thing is to use the same as came off... unless you are going to go to the trouble of re-shimming the drive.

Rob

[gspd]

A light coating of grease on both sides of your paper gaskets will seal perfectly, and also make future disassembly a breeze.
Also ideal for transmission and timing cover gaskets.
Been doing it for decades, never a leak.

[Rob Frankham]

A light coating of grease on both sides of your paper gaskets will seal perfectly, and also make future disassembly a breeze.
Also ideal for transmission and timing cover gaskets.
Been doing it for decades, never a leak.

I was taught top use a smear of engine oil which does the same thing...

Rob