Fork oil seals
#1
#2
I've seen them leak quickly after replacement for a couple of different reasons:
Usually a damaged seal will leak instantly upon re-assembly, the damaged fork tube might hold for quite a while before leaking again.
When I've got a set of forks apart for service, the sliding area of the inner tubes get a thorough going-over. For visible marks that can't be felt with a fingernail, some metal polish (like Flitz) does a nice job of cleaning it up. For visible marks that you can feel with a fingernail, some careful work with either some emery paper, steel wool, or in some cases, a fine file all can do a nice job of treating the surface before using a good metal polish.
Forks live a much-abused life, but they are pretty sturdy, and respond well to surface treatments prior to installing new seals and oil.
All that said, it's possible that your fork took a hit from a rock or something, right above the sealing area...
All the best,
Shane
- Seal was damaged during installation
- Fork tube retained slight un-addressed damage during re-assembly
Usually a damaged seal will leak instantly upon re-assembly, the damaged fork tube might hold for quite a while before leaking again.
When I've got a set of forks apart for service, the sliding area of the inner tubes get a thorough going-over. For visible marks that can't be felt with a fingernail, some metal polish (like Flitz) does a nice job of cleaning it up. For visible marks that you can feel with a fingernail, some careful work with either some emery paper, steel wool, or in some cases, a fine file all can do a nice job of treating the surface before using a good metal polish.
Forks live a much-abused life, but they are pretty sturdy, and respond well to surface treatments prior to installing new seals and oil.
All that said, it's possible that your fork took a hit from a rock or something, right above the sealing area...
All the best,
Shane
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