Fork Seals
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
From: Chicago
Fork Seals
Need to change the fork seals on a 1998 Electra Glide. Do I have to remove the forks from the bike or can I just remove the wheel, fender the bolt in the bottom of the forks and pull the sliders off?
Really didn't want to pull the fairing apart to remove the tubes if I don't have too.
Really didn't want to pull the fairing apart to remove the tubes if I don't have too.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
You are going to want to pull them off the bike completely to do this. There's a lot of pressure from the springs that needs to be released before the lowers come off. Not sure how you would get them back together again.
If they haven't been apart and refreshed since new there are a couple of other bushings in there that can be replaced.
Pull them apart and clean them out good you'll be surprised at how much crud is in there.
If they haven't been apart and refreshed since new there are a couple of other bushings in there that can be replaced.
Pull them apart and clean them out good you'll be surprised at how much crud is in there.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 339
From: Northeastern Indiana
Seems I remember installing Chrome sliders on my '96 without removing the fork tubes. The best thing to do is check your Factory Service Manual, it will take you through he steps required.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,192
Likes: 7,693
From: Poolville
You are going to want to pull them off the bike completely to do this. There's a lot of pressure from the springs that needs to be released before the lowers come off. Not sure how you would get them back together again.
If they haven't been apart and refreshed since new there are a couple of other bushings in there that can be replaced.
Pull them apart and clean them out good you'll be surprised at how much crud is in there.
If they haven't been apart and refreshed since new there are a couple of other bushings in there that can be replaced.
Pull them apart and clean them out good you'll be surprised at how much crud is in there.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,066
Likes: 4,568
From: Haslet Texas
Saw this video, But I don't know if the 1998 Electra Glide front end is the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-n-1lxKVfo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-n-1lxKVfo
The spring just puts pressure on the damper tube.
Once you pick up the front end there should be no pressure transferred from the damper tube to the lower slider.
It should be doable this way but the hard part will be seating your fork seal correctly.
Personally I'd give it a try.
If it doesn't work you can always go back and take out the fork tubes later.
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I'm in the middle of this job right now. Will probably get to it this afternoon if I can get some other chores knocked out first.
Personally, I'd pull the forks. Your bike is different from my'90 FLHTC, so not sure what's involved. I'm guessing you could get to the forks without pulling the inner fairing. Just the outer.
But as was said, because getting to them is such a chore, you want to get in there and "do it once, do it right".
Also, odds are your steering head bearings have never been inspected or re-greased. Now's the time.
Personally, I'd pull the forks. Your bike is different from my'90 FLHTC, so not sure what's involved. I'm guessing you could get to the forks without pulling the inner fairing. Just the outer.
But as was said, because getting to them is such a chore, you want to get in there and "do it once, do it right".
Also, odds are your steering head bearings have never been inspected or re-greased. Now's the time.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The same forks have been used since the dawn of time, only being replaced in 2014. There may be minor details that are different, over the years, but the essentials are the same. On a bike that is almost 20 years old there are bushings that will probably also be best replaced while you're in there, so as 0maha suggests, get 'em out!
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 264
Likes: 25
From: MN
I'm going to side with the others who are saying to do a rebuild on your forks and steering head. Lotta years on those fork bushings and steering bearings. The last time I did mine I put a grease zerk in the steering neck so I could grease the steering, I recommend that too, if it doesn't already have one.