New fork seal leak
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 508
Likes: 31
From: California
New fork seal leak
Just finished (or so I thought) servicing my right fork. Changed the slider to accept a dual disc so I tore the entire fork down. Replaced everything to spec according to the manual and online vids - just took it out for first test ride and I have a ring of oil around the fork.
Wondering if I just didn't seat the seal far enough down, thought I tamped the stop ring down enough but maybe I didn't. Question is - do I have to tear the whole fork down again (drain, fork cap, all that noise) just to try reseating the seal? Or can I simply pop the cover off the slider, clamp on a fork seal driver, and try driving the seal down a bit more?
I'm committed to doing this myself so any help appreciated...thanks!!!
Wondering if I just didn't seat the seal far enough down, thought I tamped the stop ring down enough but maybe I didn't. Question is - do I have to tear the whole fork down again (drain, fork cap, all that noise) just to try reseating the seal? Or can I simply pop the cover off the slider, clamp on a fork seal driver, and try driving the seal down a bit more?
I'm committed to doing this myself so any help appreciated...thanks!!!
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 508
Likes: 31
From: California
I remember the little metal spring thing facing upward - is that not the correct way to install? And just to be clear - I can pop the dust cap and try to reseat the seal without draining/breaking down the fork?
I was able to get the snap ring in but remember it seeming looser than I would have thought it would sit. That said, it came out really easy too so I figured that was normal.
I was able to get the snap ring in but remember it seeming looser than I would have thought it would sit. That said, it came out really easy too so I figured that was normal.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 626
From: IE, CA
Think about it..... If the clip went in easier..... Its seated lower, then needed.... They do bottom out in the slider. Its seated. Its a forktube that is longer top and bottom as it slides past the seal location. It being seated higher or lower isnt going to affect it sealing against the tube. Like others said. Its installed upside down or boogered up install/damaged seal or tube, too much oil. Depending on the amount could very well be residual.
But yes, if u have a 2 piece seal driver.... U can remove the topcap to relieve spring tension. pull dust cover, snapring, and smash it further into the slider.
But yes, if u have a 2 piece seal driver.... U can remove the topcap to relieve spring tension. pull dust cover, snapring, and smash it further into the slider.
Last edited by Highwaymans; Sep 6, 2017 at 02:30 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 508
Likes: 31
From: California
Update - I rebuilt the fork AGAIN and AGAIN it's leaking!!!
I'd ordered two fork seals when prepping for this project - could I have gotten two faulty seals? Rebuilt exactly to spec in manual.
Other thought is that my forks were rebuilt last year by Racetech. I called the tech over there to ask how much oil should go in and he said 165mm. Is it possible that this number is wrong and the fork is overfilled? They had also used a different seal than the OEM Harley seal.
Really not wanting to take this to Harley - what could it be?
I'd ordered two fork seals when prepping for this project - could I have gotten two faulty seals? Rebuilt exactly to spec in manual.
Other thought is that my forks were rebuilt last year by Racetech. I called the tech over there to ask how much oil should go in and he said 165mm. Is it possible that this number is wrong and the fork is overfilled? They had also used a different seal than the OEM Harley seal.
Really not wanting to take this to Harley - what could it be?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 961
Likes: 192
From: Chicago
Update - I rebuilt the fork AGAIN and AGAIN it's leaking!!!
I'd ordered two fork seals when prepping for this project - could I have gotten two faulty seals? Rebuilt exactly to spec in manual.
Other thought is that my forks were rebuilt last year by Racetech. I called the tech over there to ask how much oil should go in and he said 165mm. Is it possible that this number is wrong and the fork is overfilled? They had also used a different seal than the OEM Harley seal.
Really not wanting to take this to Harley - what could it be?
I'd ordered two fork seals when prepping for this project - could I have gotten two faulty seals? Rebuilt exactly to spec in manual.
Other thought is that my forks were rebuilt last year by Racetech. I called the tech over there to ask how much oil should go in and he said 165mm. Is it possible that this number is wrong and the fork is overfilled? They had also used a different seal than the OEM Harley seal.
Really not wanting to take this to Harley - what could it be?
you installed it upside down, again 😭
Jk where are you buying your seals from?