Replacing Fork Seals

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 8, 2009 | 04:05 PM

Figstr

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 546

Likes: 2

From: Rio Grande Valley, TX

Replacing Fork Seals

I've never done this before and would like to know a couple things. Are any special tools required other than normal mechanic's tools, is the spring on the FXSTC under pressure, and how difficult is it on a 1-10 scale with 1 being the easiest. I'm not engine builder, but an willing to attempt some things. Oh, one more questions: How the He>> do you get the dust cover off the top of the lower fork? I don't see anything that would hint at a release of some kind.

Oct 8, 2009 | 09:19 PM

Figstr

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 546

Likes: 2

From: Rio Grande Valley, TX

Anyone? Over 30 views and no replies?

Oct 8, 2009 | 10:18 PM

I8SMK4U

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 322

Likes: 0

From: California

I have done my own. The only special tool I would get is the tool that sets the seal. It goes around the fork tube and sets the bushing, washer and seal flat. I tried to fashion one out of a PVC but that did not work right. Now I just take them apart. Clean all the componenent and take them to my mechanic to put the shock back together. He charges me ten bucks. Then I reinstall the shock. The tool in question cost to much for how much your gonna use it.

Oct 8, 2009 | 10:25 PM

roofer

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,213

Likes: 1

From: Hot Springs Village AR

I used pvc pipe and it worked great you just need to get the right size. I got the white pipe with the id just a hair bigger than the tube and get a good straight cut on it and tap the seal in you can tell when it seats and make sure you use a new washer on the bottom bolt or they will leak

Oct 9, 2009 | 01:31 AM

MarkM

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 329

Likes: 1

From: Oldsmar, FL

+1 on the PVC or the Harley tool to set the seal. I brought mine to an indy once, and he used some kind of sharp object to push the seal in. Ended up with some tiny gouges in the fork tube (and the seal). As the rough gouges slid past the new seals, it chewed them up and they leaked. Brought it back once, and he just replaced the seals. Leaked again, within a couple hundred miles, so I took it to the dealer. He showed me what the idiot did, and I ended up buying new fork tubes. So be careful on that part.

Oct 9, 2009 | 09:22 AM

oldgeezer

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 4,513

Likes: 4

From: Midland, TX

If your bike is like mine, the allen bolt in the bottom of the forks is metric. You have to remove the bolt to get the lower sliders off. I used a piece of PVC to set the new seals.

Oct 9, 2009 | 02:04 PM

harleydavis

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,932

Likes: 32

From: Broomfield, CO

Quote:

Originally Posted by I8SMK4U

I had the same experience. Tried the PVC but it wasn't heavy enough to fully seat the seal. Took the fork tubes and sliders to my indy who used the tool to seat the seals and didn't charge me.