Fork Tube Scratch / Leak
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 53
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY
Fork Tube Scratch / Leak
Hello all.
I have a 2008 FXDC which I bought used last summer.
Last weekend I had it out for a ride and noticed a ring of oil on my right fork tube. It was at max travel, and there was a thin film of oil on the tube.
I cleaned it well and compressed the front forks a few times, and cleaned it again.
I took it for a ride yesterday, and I did not see a leak, or a ring of oil, but I did find a scratch on my tube after closer inspection.
The scratch starts at the dust cover and goes up (toward the triple tree) about 3 inches. I can feel it with my nail. It starts deeper and gets fainter as you go up. Should I continue to ride it, or swap out the tube and seals?
Also under max compression there is a clunk and a rattle sound from the front forks... is this normal? My fathers Sportster does not sound like this.
Thanks,
Joe
I have a 2008 FXDC which I bought used last summer.
Last weekend I had it out for a ride and noticed a ring of oil on my right fork tube. It was at max travel, and there was a thin film of oil on the tube.
I cleaned it well and compressed the front forks a few times, and cleaned it again.
I took it for a ride yesterday, and I did not see a leak, or a ring of oil, but I did find a scratch on my tube after closer inspection.
The scratch starts at the dust cover and goes up (toward the triple tree) about 3 inches. I can feel it with my nail. It starts deeper and gets fainter as you go up. Should I continue to ride it, or swap out the tube and seals?
Also under max compression there is a clunk and a rattle sound from the front forks... is this normal? My fathers Sportster does not sound like this.
Thanks,
Joe
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
That scratch could be from a bad fork bushing. Probably need new seals and bushings and if the scratch is that deep you also need a new tube.
If it's been leaking for awhile the noise from the front end could be from a lack of fork oil.
A clunk could also be a loose tank bolt or worn/shot front motor mount, these can sound like they are coming from the front end.
If it's been leaking for awhile the noise from the front end could be from a lack of fork oil.
A clunk could also be a loose tank bolt or worn/shot front motor mount, these can sound like they are coming from the front end.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
you will need to replace the fork tube to stop it from leaking. my wg had a small nick/scratch on one of the tubes. i tried emery cloth to make it smooth. after replacing the seal a second time...i gave up and bought a fork tube. not that expensive. rlaced that with a new seal and leak free!! any doubts, replace the fork bushings as well...not expensive and you'll already be in the fork. good luck
i have done fork rebuilds on guys tubes that have been sanded with 220 for paint (and the paint of course failed) they still hold up fine and no leaks... i woiuld just toss a new seal in there, will be fine
I had a small scratch in mine at one time, got caught in some nasty muddy dirt roads and I'm guessing a piece of sand scratched it. I cleaned everything really well and a few months later the scratch was gone, no leaks
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
