Topic: New Fork Seal, New Tubes, New LEAK? (now with New Pics)

[DHolbrook]

Went for a short test ride today after a mild rebuild.  During the build, I replaced fork seals will all balls, tubes with cycle x, and progressive springs.  I measured the oil down to the ml. (157 ml = 5.308 oz)  Everything was clean and I installed my seals this way up: (from another post, my pic was blurry)

RFERENCE PIC:


MY PIC:


I drove in the new seals using the old ones to tap against with a hammer.

Problem is, even after 5-10 minutes of ridding, I have runs of fork oil on my dust boots and speckles of oil on my tank, etc.  What did I do wrong?

I'm using Honda brand 10w fork oil.  Will a thicker oil stop the leak?  Are there "leak stopping" additives I can add?

Thanks again for your help!

[ekpent]

Sorry to say but it looks like they were put in upside down.They are scraping the oil up and not down. Any writing goes on the top and if I am looking at the picture correct the large groove and inside scrapers go down.

[DHolbrook]

Thanks ekpent, I assume there are upside-down, but maybe I can have a second opinion before I tear apart my front end.  Pics are of my seals.  Questions:  Can these All Balls seals be reused (only put about 50 mi on them)?  Are these other seals any good?? They came from Cycle X.  Also, so I don't F* up again, the seals in the package are right side up, correct?

[Hannibal Smith]

Upside down.

[mystic_1]

You can see the seal's spring in your pic, in my experience those always go towards the oil side of the seal (down in this case).

mystic_1

[Hannibal Smith]

Seals in the package are facing up, that is the part you want to see when you insert them into the fork.

[DHolbrook]

Ahhhh!  Ok, Ok, at least I know what the issue is.  So what's the verdict on flipping over the All Balls seals or using these other brand ones??

These All Balls have springs on both sides if I remember right (it was only installed about 2 weeks ago).

[BobbyR]

While it may be refection in the pic, I think your fork tubes need a polishing. The rule is if you can feel something with your fingernail, it will wear the seal down and you will get a leak in short order.

[DHolbrook]

I'll double check when I have it apart, maybe the upside-down seals let dirt in or something, but the tubes are brand new Cycle X tubes.

[ekpent]

If you can pry them back out without damage,should come out fairly easy,I would think the they would be fine to re-use.I use a wide flat tire iron and a little piece of wood to pry the old ones out on mine. A wider surface will have less of a chance for damage such as a pick or screwdriver.

[DHolbrook]

Thanks, I'll try to reuse them if I can get them out neatly.  Their quality seems higher than the other ones.

[DHolbrook]

Sent the afternoon flipping the seals.  It wasn't that bad since I left the tubes attached to the tipples.  I just removed the lowers only, and with some hot water the seals came right out.  Went for a 20 mi. ride and now no more leak!  Thanks guys!

[ekpent]

YEAH-No more dirty oily pant legs 

[dagersh]

Nice Job and great post.  I think you used my pic from my 450 build, I am not sure if you used my mistake as your guide, but the forum sorted it for in the end as well.

Gersh

[DHolbrook]

That's exactly what happened Gersh!  No biggie though.  I'm glad the leak was my fault and not a scratched fork tube.