Seals not in straight, bad seals, oil level too high.
issues with my fork seals
I have just replaced my fork seals, before I replaced them, the left one was leaking just a little bit, now, after replacing the seals, and cleaning everything thoroughly, during the replacement procedure, both forks are leaking profusely after only driving about 50km. I am about 99% sure that I installed the seals in the correct orientation and there is no damage to the chrome around where the seals sit. the only thing that I can think of that might be causing a problem is that the forks sat assembled but without oil in them for about 16hrs before the oil went in and they were re-installed onto my bike.
Does anyone have any idea what I can check for to see what my problem is?
Does anyone have any idea what I can check for to see what my problem is?
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
Leaving them sit will not be your issue.
How easy did the seals fit into the lower leg, they need to be forced in with a driver and hammer, if you were able to push them in quite easily they are the wrong seals for your bike.
I have seen this before, they don't leak past the seal lip on the inner tube, they leak between the outer edge of the seal and the lower leg.
The other thing is the top of the inner tube can be sharp enough to damage the seal, did you put anything over the top of the tube before slipping the seal down.
Are you confidant you did not over fill the oil level ?
How easy did the seals fit into the lower leg, they need to be forced in with a driver and hammer, if you were able to push them in quite easily they are the wrong seals for your bike.
I have seen this before, they don't leak past the seal lip on the inner tube, they leak between the outer edge of the seal and the lower leg.
The other thing is the top of the inner tube can be sharp enough to damage the seal, did you put anything over the top of the tube before slipping the seal down.
Are you confidant you did not over fill the oil level ?
Were the fork seals from Suzuki or an aftermarket brand?
Leaving them sit will not be your issue.
How easy did the seals fit into the lower leg, they need to be forced in with a driver and hammer, if you were able to push them in quite easily they are the wrong seals for your bike.
I have seen this before, they don't leak past the seal lip on the inner tube, they leak between the outer edge of the seal and the lower leg.
The other thing is the top of the inner tube can be sharp enough to damage the seal, did you put anything over the top of the tube before slipping the seal down.
Are you confidant you did not over fill the oil level ?
I did use a driver to get the seals in there proper place.
Any suggestions on how to tell if it's leaking around the outside of the seal?
The top of my inner tube has a nice bezel on it so I didn't think to protect it.
I filled each tube with 500 cc of oil each as that is what my research showed to be the correct amount, this is the thing I'm the least sure about.
Thanks for responding
Were the fork seals from Suzuki or an aftermarket brand?
They are aftermarket all balls brand but the reviews were good.
All Balls is probably your problem. A lot of people have been using the Honda seal set Honda 51490-MCF-000 comes with one oil seal and one dust seal so you'll need two sets. Cheaper than Suzuki seals.
Thanks for the help, I'll have to check them outAll Balls is probably your problem. A lot of people have been using the Honda seal set Honda 51490-MCF-000 comes with one oil seal and one dust seal so you'll need two sets. Cheaper than Suzuki seals.
It would be very unusual to have one new seal leak, having two leak would be almost unheard of unless the seals are in upside-down.
Pop up the dust seal, clean out any oil, ensure you can see the seals lip pointing up to be sure it is the right way up, bounce the front a few times and have a look in there, you maybe able to see exactly where the leak is coming from, if you can't get the oil to move try a short ride.
If you do need to change the seals again put a thin plastic bag over the top of the inner tube before sliding the seal down, then side the seal down all the way past the end of the bag and remove it, this will stop the tube damaging the seal.
Pop up the dust seal, clean out any oil, ensure you can see the seals lip pointing up to be sure it is the right way up, bounce the front a few times and have a look in there, you maybe able to see exactly where the leak is coming from, if you can't get the oil to move try a short ride.
If you do need to change the seals again put a thin plastic bag over the top of the inner tube before sliding the seal down, then side the seal down all the way past the end of the bag and remove it, this will stop the tube damaging the seal.
I'd only use O.E. seals, Honda, Suzuki. Electrical tape works for protecting the seals, also.
Um, nevermind me, I'm bad at math AND apparently reading comprehension.
Move along, nothing to see here.
Move along, nothing to see here.
the quantity you put in the fork tubes should only be used as a guide and a starting point.
The air gap, measured in mm from the top of the fork when compressed with the spring removed is the most important number and gives you an EXACT amount needed. I did fork seals on my Wee a few weeks ago with Honda seals and it works perfectly. Slow and steady, making sure everything is clean (i use brake cleaner) and make sure to put a light coat of grease on the dust seals.
Yeah, AllBalls fork seals have questionable reputation....
The air gap, measured in mm from the top of the fork when compressed with the spring removed is the most important number and gives you an EXACT amount needed. I did fork seals on my Wee a few weeks ago with Honda seals and it works perfectly. Slow and steady, making sure everything is clean (i use brake cleaner) and make sure to put a light coat of grease on the dust seals.
Yeah, AllBalls fork seals have questionable reputation....
the quantity you put in the fork tubes should only be used as a guide and a starting point.
The air gap, measured in mm from the top of the fork when compressed with the spring removed is the most important number and gives you an EXACT amount needed. I did fork seals on my Wee a few weeks ago with Honda seals and it works perfectly. Slow and steady, making sure everything is clean (i use brake cleaner) and make sure to put a light coat of grease on the dust seals.
Yeah, AllBalls fork seals have questionable reputation....
Thanks for the tips
would you recommend i use these ones?I'd only use O.E. seals, Honda, Suzuki. Electrical tape works for protecting the seals, also.
I am unclear what bikemasters usage of oem means. Are they really OE, or just OE sized. Some companies use that term loosely.would you recommend i use these ones?
So, to answer; I don't know.
Is there any reason to not use OEM parts? What problem are you trying to solve by avoiding them?I am unclear what bikemasters usage of oem means. Are they really OE, or just OE sized. Some companies use that term loosely.
So, to answer; I don't know.
I was trying to avoid the $120 plus shipping cost of buying from Suzuki onlineIs there any reason to not use OEM parts? What problem are you trying to solve by avoiding them?
Oof. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound snarky. I didn't know the cost diff was so great.I was trying to avoid the $120 plus shipping cost of buying from Suzuki online
No worries, I hadn't offered the informationOof. Sorry, I didn't mean to sound snarky. I didn't know the cost diff was so great.
Have you looked into this? Sounds like a possible option, using Honda seals.All Balls is probably your problem. A lot of people have been using the Honda seal set Honda 51490-MCF-000 comes with one oil seal and one dust seal so you'll need two sets. Cheaper than Suzuki seals.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
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