Fork Seal Leaking

[motopup]

Right, My fork seal popped a few months back. (1 too many wheelies, i think it was one particular pot hole) I had the seal replaced at a local workshop (never had issues before) and everything seemed fine. On my next long ride out oil had escaped and sprayed all over the place.

After cleaning/drying it up it leaked no more. Stood for a week and no leaks. Next ride out it leaked again.

Am i correct in thinking the stantion tube has a dent/crease in it letting oil escape when the forks are in action and ridig over this issue?

I can get a new stantion for £50 (if im quick) but I dont want to throw money at it without knowing what it is first. Id like to learn.

cheers

[NinjaJunkie]

LewisR6 (10/01/2011)

Right, My fork seal popped a few months back. (1 too many wheelies, i think it was one particular pot hole) I had the seal replaced at a local workshop (never had issues before) and everything seemed fine. On my next long ride out oil had escaped and sprayed all over the place. After cleaning/drying it up it leaked no more. Stood for a week and no leaks. Next ride out it leaked again.

Am i correct in thinking the stantion tube has a dent/crease in it letting oil escape when the forks are in action and ridig over this issue?

I can get a new stantion for £50 (if im quick) but I dont want to throw money at it without knowing what it is first. Id like to learn.

cheers

The crease dent in the stanchion is potentially a good call but it’s always possible that the new seal didn’t seat properly and is leaking again? (I’m sure the guys who did the work are excellent but these things do happen every now and again).I guess there is no way of knowing for sure without whipping the fork out and inspecting it -if there is no sign of a dent or crease then reseat/replace the seal again making 100% sure it’s in properly and see if it holds up ok.

[puppy]

You’re going to have to get the fork apart to check fully anyway so check for true then. You can do this by rolling it on a perfectly flat surface such as a granite worktop. If you can’t do this then get your local engineering shop/bike mechanic to check it for you.

Also check thoroughly for any pits/chips/scratches which could be a possible cause of this weep you speak of.

Only after you have eliminated these possible causes should you refit with your repaired, no fault found, or new leg. Obviously a new seal will be required.

Hope this helps.

[puppy]

Should add, that’s of course if the seal is not to blame, but it should be checked as a matter of course.

[NinjaJunkie]

puppy (10/01/2011)

You’re going to have to get the fork apart to check fully anyway so check for true then. You can do this by rolling it on a perfectly flat surface such as a granite worktop. If you can’t do this then get your local engineering shop/bike mechanic to check it for you.

Also check thoroughly for any pits/chips/scratches which could be a possible cause of this weep you speak of.

Only after you have eliminated these possible causes should you refit with your repaired, no fault found, or new leg. Obviously a new seal will be required.

Hope this helps.

Wot he said

[motopup]

NinjaJunkie (10/01/2011)

puppy (10/01/2011)

You’re going to have to get the fork apart to check fully anyway so check for true then. You can do this by rolling it on a perfectly flat surface such as a granite worktop. If you can’t do this then get your local engineering shop/bike mechanic to check it for you.

Also check thoroughly for any pits/chips/scratches which could be a possible cause of this weep you speak of.

Only after you have eliminated these possible causes should you refit with your repaired, no fault found, or new leg. Obviously a new seal will be required.

Hope this helps.

Wot he said

Thank you gentle folk. Ill pop it out Thursday

[puppy]

LewisR6 (10/01/2011)

NinjaJunkie (10/01/2011)

puppy (10/01/2011)

You’re going to have to get the fork apart to check fully anyway so check for true then. You can do this by rolling it on a perfectly flat surface such as a granite worktop. If you can’t do this then get your local engineering shop/bike mechanic to check it for you.

Also check thoroughly for any pits/chips/scratches which could be a possible cause of this weep you speak of.

Only after you have eliminated these possible causes should you refit with your repaired, no fault found, or new leg. Obviously a new seal will be required.

Hope this helps.

Wot he said

Thank you gentle folk. Ill pop it out Thursday

Just the fork leg Lewis, just the fork leg!:blink:

[naughty_lee]

roll it on a glass table to check its straight and true.

[Afro]

Did they replace the seal with a genuine Yamaha part or a pattern part?

I found out that OEM is the way to go here when I had the GSXR 1000 fork seals replaced due to leaking, only to have the bike back in because it started happening again a couple of weeks later.

Culprit was the use of cheaper pattern part seals that were slightly too small by a fraction of a millimetre.

[gurninman]

Afro (12/01/2011)

Did they replace the seal with a genuine Yamaha part or a pattern part?

I found out that OEM is the way to go here when I had the GSXR 1000 fork seals replaced due to leaking, only to have the bike back in because it started happening again a couple of weeks later.

Culprit was the use of cheaper pattern part seals that were slightly too small by a fraction of a millimetre.

I never buy manufacturer branded seals (unless they’re cheaper, which is the case sometimes)- at the end of the day, they just buy in the cheapest they can find.
I usually go for Vesrah ones - around a tenner a pair and have never had a seal fail after fitting.

[Jaime]

Forking seals :Whistling: