Fork Oil Leak
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1st Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 43
Fork Oil Leak
Oil is leaiing out of my front fork. I ordered new oil seals from Bikebandit. Does anyone know if there is a thread that shows how to replace the oil seals? Are there special tools needed.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 82
I'm sure there are a couple threads about it out there, but there might be an alternative for you...My seals were leaking horribly and I fixed it by taking a
.003 feeler gauge and sliding it up into the seal and running it around pull it out and repeat a couple times make sure you wipe everything off after each pass including the feeler, it will leak a little each time if your doing it right. When your finished with that put a little vaseline on the tube under the seal and pump the forks a couple times maybe even go down the street and compress them as far as you can. then wipe off the excess vaseline then then check your oil level and refill as necessary. I have done this to several bikes and it has stopped the leak on all of them It wont work in every situation but most of the time the seal isn't bad its just dirt and gunk not letting it seal to the shaft. Just thought I would throw this out for you and anyone that doesn't know about this little trick.
.003 feeler gauge and sliding it up into the seal and running it around pull it out and repeat a couple times make sure you wipe everything off after each pass including the feeler, it will leak a little each time if your doing it right. When your finished with that put a little vaseline on the tube under the seal and pump the forks a couple times maybe even go down the street and compress them as far as you can. then wipe off the excess vaseline then then check your oil level and refill as necessary. I have done this to several bikes and it has stopped the leak on all of them It wont work in every situation but most of the time the seal isn't bad its just dirt and gunk not letting it seal to the shaft. Just thought I would throw this out for you and anyone that doesn't know about this little trick.
Administrator
1st Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 17,484
From: bay area cali
damm thats smart! nice little trick steve. ill have to remember that.
I'm sure there are a couple threads about it out there, but there might be an alternative for you...My seals were leaking horribly and I fixed it by taking a
.003 feeler gauge and sliding it up into the seal and running it around pull it out and repeat a couple times make sure you wipe everything off after each pass including the feeler, it will leak a little each time if your doing it right. When your finished with that put a little vaseline on the tube under the seal and pump the forks a couple times maybe even go down the street and compress them as far as you can. then wipe off the excess vaseline then then check your oil level and refill as necessary. I have done this to several bikes and it has stopped the leak on all of them It wont work in every situation but most of the time the seal isn't bad its just dirt and gunk not letting it seal to the shaft. Just thought I would throw this out for you and anyone that doesn't know about this little trick.
.003 feeler gauge and sliding it up into the seal and running it around pull it out and repeat a couple times make sure you wipe everything off after each pass including the feeler, it will leak a little each time if your doing it right. When your finished with that put a little vaseline on the tube under the seal and pump the forks a couple times maybe even go down the street and compress them as far as you can. then wipe off the excess vaseline then then check your oil level and refill as necessary. I have done this to several bikes and it has stopped the leak on all of them It wont work in every situation but most of the time the seal isn't bad its just dirt and gunk not letting it seal to the shaft. Just thought I would throw this out for you and anyone that doesn't know about this little trick.
Your Humble Moderator/Admin
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 21,060
From: Washington
1st Gear Member
Steve has the right idea, but what might work better is a business card. The card will allow the small particle to get embedded in the soft paper and come out. I never heard of using a feeler gauge, that's interesting. I will remember that. Thanks Steve. 
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 960
i can't see a business card working. Get bent over on the edges and get soft like tissue paper from being sopped in oil.
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MEXICO CITY HOTELS
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MEXICO CITY HOTELS
Last edited by JasonFMX; Mar 29, 2011 at 08:30 AM.
Da dirty moderator
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,584
From: Pittsburgh, PA
get a milk carton and cut it into thin strips, i cut mine in the shape of a hook, so when i pushed it up into the seal it had an edge that would grab the crap and pull it out not push it in... worked like a charm.... mine was leaking pretty good too....