Blown right fork seal on FXDWG again...

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Nov 15, 2016 | 05:33 AM

joelsuff

Thread Starter

4th Gear

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 8

Likes: 1

From: Pacific Grove, CA

Blown right fork seal on FXDWG again...

I have a 2013 FXDWG that has been lowered an inch front and back with progressive shocks, and I changed to black fork sliders and an accutronix triple tree. I moved to Hawaii about 1.5 years ago and just blew out my third fork seal on the right fork tube. The first time the movers did it while shipping the bike over, so I had HD replace both fork seals and use heavy fork oil. That lasted a couple of months and the right tube blew again. I changed it myself the 2nd time since HD wouldn't do it again for free. This time it lasted about 4-5 months, and now the same tube just blew again. I never had any issues before moving here, and I know the roads here are pretty shitty for the most part, but this seems ridiculous. Any suggestions or anything specific I should look for before changing this seal again? Thanks.

Nov 15, 2016 | 06:43 AM

jdvorchak

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 613

Likes: 33

From: East Alton, IL

Carefully inspect the slider tube for scratches and straightness. Also look at the bushings for signs of wear. Worn bushings allow the tube to wobble and kill seals. Fork seals usually last for years. Are you using OEM or aftermarket seals? Aftermarket can sometimes not perform as well as OEM.

Also make sure you're not over filling with fork oil but I doubt that's your problem.

Nov 15, 2016 | 06:51 AM

jdvorchak

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 613

Likes: 33

From: East Alton, IL

I'll probably get flamed for this but I've used Seal Mate on a few occasions. And it's worth a try before you start replacing parts. Some on 20 and 30 year old bikes and in all cases it stopped the leak when the cause was dirt and grime.

Nov 15, 2016 | 06:55 AM

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 100,455

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From: Centennial, CO

Is it possible that that leg was bent??

Nov 15, 2016 | 07:05 AM

jdvorchak

Road Captain

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 613

Likes: 33

From: East Alton, IL

Quote:

Originally Posted by QC

Is it possible that that leg was bent??

Good point. No telling what happened in the move to Hawaii. That's why I stated to check the tube for straightness.

With the tube out just roll it across a smooth surface and look for any wobble. Any wobble is too much. It has to be dead straight.

Nov 15, 2016 | 07:43 AM

Architect

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 9,576

Likes: 7,953

From: Long Island, New York

Something is damaged (straight, gouged, something not right where the seal sits) or the seal has not been installed properly, no offense. Installed properly seal should last a very long time, but if it goes in wrong, pinched etc, it will leak in about your time frame. Good luck.

Nov 15, 2016 | 08:27 AM

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,939

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From: poway

All good stuff so far.. You can also polish the fork tubes with some 600 grit wet and dry to take off any raised ridges from dings that night have occurred from the shipping and or rocks from the road. Inspect that seal seating area. It's possible that the area where the seal sits has been gouged and oil is leaking around the outside of the seal. Since you are running lower you might want to use a little lest for oil or at least check the oil by level and not volume..