Fork Seals

[erldawg]

Last fall just before i put the dog into hibernation I changed the fork seals and bushings. I picked them up a local bike shop, they were just a standard 41mm seal and bearings. Now them suckers are still leaking. DAmmit!!

Has anyone had this issue after changing them? And yes I'm sure I put them back in properly.

 

[Chris04Masitff]

changed my fork seal 2 times in 4 years. needing them again...

 

[Iman]

Changed mine twice in 2 years and still leaking!!!

 

[nine lives]

When installing the new fork seals, did you guys cover the bush holder (groove in the slider with sharp edge) with a piece of plastic and oil it before installing the wiper and seals? If you don't cover this sharp edge with plastic, the bush holder will damage the seal and cause the seal to leak.

 

[Chris04Masitff]

When installing the new fork seals, did you guys cover the bush holder (groove in the slider with sharp edge) with a piece of plastic and oil it before installing the wiper and seals? If you don't cover this sharp edge with plastic, the bush holder will damage the seal and cause the seal to leak.

i took forks to local bike shop and had the seals installed.......last time anyway

 

[erldawg]

When installing the new fork seals, did you guys cover the bush holder (groove in the slider with sharp edge) with a piece of plastic and oil it before installing the wiper and seals? If you don't cover this sharp edge with plastic, the bush holder will damage the seal and cause the seal to leak.

I used the lower fork tube like a slide hammer to get the old ones off then I took the upper tube out of the tripple trees and put the seal on from the top so the seal would not get cut and also to use a piece of PVC to hammer new seal in.

Does anyone have a picture as too which side of the seal faces up? I swear I put it back in the same way it came out and only did one side at a time.

 

[nine lives]

I haven't done the seals on the dog yet, I hope that there is not a problem with the forks being under sized or a machining problem. If you had a cycle shop do the instillation they probably did the job correctly. Seems we have a lot of forks leaking for there not to be an issue with the forks themselves. My left fork also has a slight leak. I was going to leave it till next year unless it gets worse.

 

[woodbutcher]

changed mine (w/ shane's help) last summer w/ a little over 8k with no leaks and still have no leaks.

 

[Coolbreeze]

Its not hard to put them in upside down. You think maybe?

 

[erldawg]

Its not hard to put them in upside down. You think maybe?

I question it because the dam things are still leaking. I'll post up a picture of the way I think they should go in. Might not be until tomorrow though.

 

[T Mack]

My left fork leg prolly leaked out all the fluid 2 years ago!!
Guess I should check and put a new seal in it!!!!

 

[Dakotabos]

My left fork leg prolly leaked out all the fluid 2 years ago!!
Guess I should check and put a new seal in it!!!!

Hard in the front / soft in the rear

TMI T Mack

 

[T Mack]

​

Hard in the front / soft in the rear

TMI T Mack

The sad truth is to much info?

I just figured if I still have to wipe oil off the fork there is still some left in there.....

 

[woodbutcher]

thing is the fluid doesn't just control the ride, it also lubricates the bushings, which tend to wear out under normal conditions around 8500 miles. when they wear out, that's when the inside of the legs start going to hell real fast.

 

[Dakotabos]

Yeah I have to replace mine, the left one is leaking. But if its leaking it means its Full Right

 

[erldawg]

Its not hard to put them in upside down. You think maybe?

I looked everywhere for a picture of the proper installation and even a couple of how to's and could not find one so here's the pic I took last night.

 

[N8KAM]

I had to replace one of my upper forks due to wear and a leak @ around 7000 miles.

 

[bigdogtech01]

I looked everywhere for a picture of the proper installation and even a couple of how to's and could not find one so here's the pic I took last night.

Yes that is the correct way. The picture shows the top of the seals. While holding the seal in your hand the lips inside the seal should be facing down towards the tube or should I say ground.

 

[erldawg]

I had to replace one of my upper forks due to wear and a leak @ around 7000 miles.

That's not good John.

Yes that is the correct way. The picture shows the top of the seals. While holding the seal in your hand the lips inside the seal should be facing down towards the tube or should I say ground.

Ahhh haaa I was correct. Maybe I just had a cheap set of seals first time around.

 

[bigdogtech01]

That's not good John.



Ahhh haaa I was correct. Maybe I just had a cheap set of seals first time around.

That could be. I would say either H-D or Drag Specialties/Parts Unlim. We used both when we could not get any from BDM. Seemed to work fine, no leaks. I might have a set of BDM ones here. You interested in them if I do? Message me your address and I'll send 2 of them to you.