After market fork rebuild kit.... which one???

[tHeKiNgMaN]

I've been having an on going problem with my fork seals leaking. Twice now i have changed the out and they start leaking soon after. I ride a lot in the sand and i fall a lot in the sand. I have tried seal savers but they only work good if you don't crash cause i wrecked them my first time out, not to say they don't work for some people there just not strong enough for me. Basically I'm wondering if aftermarket seals work better than stock. They claim to but the're also more money and if they work just as long i might as well buy stock again. I have also tried cleaning them with photo film and it seems to only band-aid the problem. once the grit works its way back in it just leaks again. Any opinions or experiences will help. Thanks

[Jeff172]

Have you ever replaced the bushings? If your bushings are worn out you will wear seals faster too. What happens is you get side to side and front to back slop and stretch the seals making it easier for grit to enter.

I have also seen people pack a light grease between the seal and the slider as a barrier to trap sand.

[tHeKiNgMaN]

the bushings i believe are good this has been a prob from the start. If i can find a better then stock kit thats what i want.

[yz250guy]

Don't ride in the sand and you should be good. (or just don't fall) I know, I know, this post was no help at all, but I'm in one of those moods.

[Woody_393]

Wonder if you have a nic or something on your forks? Seems like sand shouldn't be that hard on them.s

[Jeff172]

Originally Posted by Woody_CRF

Wonder if you have a nic or something on your forks? Seems like sand shouldn't be that hard on them.s

I was thinking that too. He said it was happening from the begining though. As far as aftermarket fork seals, I've only had good success with OEM. I've tried that Everseal brand, and they seem to always leak super fast. Good luck finding the problem. If it's not nicked or worn bushings, I have nothing for you.

[tHeKiNgMaN]

Originally Posted by Woody_CRF

Wonder if you have a nic or something on your forks? Seems like sand shouldn't be that hard on them.s

well im not the only one having problems with this and i've inspected them both times they have been removed.

the last time i changed them the oil was a little gritty and i didn't do the inner part of the shock so it might not have been cleaned properly i guess.

the sand out here can be really dusty too. mix riding through the water right after a rip through the sand it can get pretty tacky. I've just seen a few ads in the dirtbike mags that claim to seal tighter and i though mabey someone would know. thanks anyway. guess ill just keep using oem and prob change the bushings to.

[dbc]

Having trouble with your fork seals??
Give these folks a holler..
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Best seals you can buy & they will take the time to talk to ya on the phone.
Give'm a shot.

[egoallenpoe393]

Originally Posted by Tyleracer

Try getting your forks coated, this really helps a lot.
I have all of my suspension done by Cal Northrop at Full Travel Innovations ([Only registered and activated users can see links. ].
He can get your forks and shock shaft coated for $550 which is half price of anywhere else you'll find! For the exact same service!
I have my suspension valved, serviced, and coated by Cal and it makes a HUGE difference with the coating.
If you decide to go to Cal, which you should, tell him Tyler Hampton sent you to him!
Thanks,
Tyler Hampton

Two Posts SOunds Like Spam, Smells like Spam, Acts Like Spam :

DBC I will raise your Synergy with [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

BTW Try now

[kuritaro9]

this may be a dumb question but, are you positive that the seals were installed properly? when you slid the new seal over the tube, did you use some plastic wrap and lube it up so it didnt cut the new seal? or even an easier way to muck it up is to install the seal upside down. i have seen more than my fair share of DIY mechs. install the seals upside down, and it will fit upside down just as good as it does the right way...
i have always stuck with OEM seals, change them when i overhaul the forks, and change bushings every time as well...
the only other time i have seen new seals leak like what you describe, is when the tubes themselves were damaged...

[P1M]

Pivot works makes a great complete fork seal kit that comes with new bushing, seals, and dust covers for around $70 bucks. When you slide the seals over the tubes use a laxtex glove over the end of the tube and lube your new seal and slide it over the glove. When the seal is on pull the glove off and your good to go. Good luck!

[Silver_Fox]

Originally Posted by P1M

use a laxtex glove over the end of the tube and lube your new seal and slide it over the glove. !

There is those other latex things that will work good too.

[kuritaro9]

Originally Posted by Silver_Fox

There is those other latex things that will work good too.

[Garasaki]

I have synergy seals in my bike.

They work really good, and even better, they are WAY easier to install then stock (I think) and it's pretty obvious which was is down on em.

You can buy the bushings seperately (if you want). Leaking forks = bad fork seals, no matter how you look at it.

There may be other things wrong, but it's 100% sure your seals are shot.

You may have a scratch on your fork legs destroying any seals you install...

[tHeKiNgMaN]

no scratches on the forks and the seals are in the right way. I have been pondering this for a while and i think i have figured it out. If they were installed wrong in the first place and got real dirty inside then when i installed the new ones and never cleaned the inner part of the shock they will certainly fail quick. Seal savers i used once and first time i dumped my bike one got torn so there good if you don't fall a lot. Right now im looking at a foot of snow that just fell last night so with no heated garage i will be wait a bit to check my theory out. I have been looking into synergy seals and i will probably try them out. Bushings are cheep and they come out anyway so im going to buy oem ones.

[P1M]

Originally Posted by Silver_Fox

There is those other latex things that will work good too.

And they come lubercated. But, I don't think my wife would buy the idea to why I had a box of those in my shop!

[kuritaro9]

the inner chamber oil never comes into contact with the outer tube oil. its a completely sealed, seperate chamber,so, i dont know how that would cause your seals to leak...

[kuritaro9]

im thinking the problem probably lies with some worn bushings or improperly installed, overtightened front axle or misaligned front wheel...there is a specific method to get the front end lined up,if you do it wrong, it will cause the forks to be very harsh, and place undue stress on the lower fork tubes. i suppose if its an extreme enough case, it could cause the seals to leak...

[r1ray]

Its the sand. I see it a lot with those people who choose to ride in the sand.