Cleaning fork seals \ dust covers ?

[Dart440]

I slid the dust covers down on my front forks since I usually wipe the inside of them after I wash my bike. This time I found a good amount of dirt/mud in there, what is safe to spray to clean the seal off? would brakeclean or carb clean work? Or should I just try and wet a rag to wipe out the mud?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Yardpro393]

brake parts cleaner will work fine

[Shocknut]

Don't use carb cleaner. Brake/contact cleaner is ok, water is ok, air pressure helps. The main thing is....your dust wipers are probably worn out. Most seal leaks are either the result of a nick in the tube or dirt in the seal. In order for dirt to get in your seal it has to get past the wiper. Get it? You keep using them wipers and you'll have leaking seals very soon. This is why when you replace fork seals, you replace the wipers along with them in a set. I will not replace just the oil seal unless specifically directed to do so.

[Yardpro393]

you can get a little life out of the wiper by tightening the outer spring.

pop the spring off and carefully look at it. you will see where it is screwed together. unscrew it. it will come apart. use a pair of sharp dykes to cut a little off the female end. twist them back together and install.

[Shocknut]

Dykes and female in the same sentence? Are you trying to be funny Yard?

That is certianly worth trying though in a budget pinch. I have done this once before on my own bike.

[Yardpro393]

i do this when i replace people's seals and they did not buy new wipers as well.

it should only be done in a pinch though.

[walkerammo]

TRY USING BUSSINESS CARDS TO CLEAN OUT DIRT AND GRIME OUT FROM UNDER THE SEALS!! (WORKS REALLY GOOD)

[motochris512]

You don't have to cut the spring all you have to do is carfully look for a diference in the spring and you can twist it tighter I learned that from Marshall Plumb who is a former factory mechanic for Guy Cooper and Larry Ward

[KTM250rm393]

I like the idea of cutting about 1/4" off the female end. KTM recommends it on new fork wipers.