Changing out fork seals

[Sport-tourer 1956]

taking my 05 in for service (16,000 mi) and will have the dealership drain, flush and refill my forks. the tech mentioned that i would have to also change out the fork seals....is this necessary? <_< there appears to be no leaks at this time, maybe the tech is thinking preventative maintenance or is it $$$ for the dealership? also having the steering head bearings repacked along with the swingarm pivots. i basically ride year round, rain or shine, except in the fog. eventually plan on doing all this maintenance myself to save some $$$ but for now will have to have someone do it for me. your comments would be appreciated

 

[twowheelnut]

If you're just changing fluid and there are no leaks, pass on the seals. Mine were still good at 56,000 miles (though GP did change them out during a complete rebuild) and skooter's are prolly still good after elebenty-twenty bazillion miles.

 

[blufjr]

If you're just changing fluid and there are no leaks, pass on the seals. Mine were still good at 56,000 miles (though GP did change them out during a complete rebuild) and skooter's are prolly still good after elebenty-twenty bazillion miles.

Dito on my 05 at 60,000 last Oct. Dave showed me the seals and said that they may not have been leaking, but they were not in good shape.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

taking my 05 in for service (16,000 mi) and will have the dealership drain, flush and refill my forks. the tech mentioned that i would have to also change out the fork seals....is this necessary? .... your comments would be appreciated

Okay... From a professional perspective: it's just proper service procedure -- factories recommend (insist, on warranty) replacing gaskets, seals, fluids when repairing/servicing their products. Can the old ones still work?, probably/maybe?

Given the choice of re-using old gaskets/seals and installing new ones on assembly -- what'cha gonna do?

Especially, if your name's on the bottom of the service order......(can you say -- "comeback"?)

Parts is Parts

 

[gr8eyes]

The fork seals went out on my 03 at 11,000 miles. I don't think there are very expensive. I would replace them.

 

[keithaba]

Hopefully this will not start a flame war. General consensus has been if the seals are not leaking, don't worry about it.

charismaticmegafauna's point about replacing them while your there because it can't hurt also makes sense, but is it really warranted?

Is this going to be one of those do what makes you feel good situations, or is it just worth it to do the seals while your in there to prevent ever having to go back in if a seal starts leaking between fork oil changes?

I'm just curious, because I'm doing my fork oil and springs soon, and am unsure if I should bother with the seals since they are not leaking. 17k on my seals.

 

[jestal]

The defining action would whether you are taking the forks apart or not. If you are just dumping out the old fluid and replacing with new it would hardly seem to be worth it to tear the forks apart just to replace the seals.

If the forks are coming apart...i.e...the tubes are coming out of the sliders then replacing the seals is a non-issue as you have to remove the seals as you dissassemble the forks. Either you would reassemble with the old or new seals. Same difference but for the cost. The tubes cannot be pulled out of the sliders without removing the seals in the process.

If you (or the dealership) is planning to pull the tubes out of the sliders for a thorough cleaning or something then plan on replacing the seals while you are in there. Remember that there is a rather thin washer-like spacer under the fork seal that the tube presses against to pull the seal out. That washer will get distorted into a cone shape when you pull the tubes out so it MUST be checked for flatness/re-flattened/replaced when you reassemble the forks or the seals (new or old) will leak. Remind the dealer tech of this if the dealer is going to take them apart to save yourself a trip back.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

<snip>charismaticmegafauna's point about replacing them while your there because it can't hurt...

Is that what I said? I don't think so....

In fact, if you're not competent with changing fork seals and don't have the proper tools -- more damage can be done than just leaving the old seals 'in situ'.....

IOW -- it can hurt.... Motorcycle repair and maintenence should be approached methodically -- proper diagnosis, skilled workmanship, necessary tools, etc.

Doing something (or, not doing something) without rationale is, well, folly..... :blink:

 

[odot]

................one more day..............just one more day......... :dribble:

 

[Sport-tourer 1956]

thanks for all the great information ......the tech is going to pull out the tubes and do a thorough cleaning which will then involve changing out the seals and replacing the fork washers

 

[Big Sky]

To properly service the forks, to properly drain/change the oil, they need to be pulled apart, seals and all out. Seals are relatively inexpensive. Have them replaced so you have duly complied with service department recommendations, which gets you off the hook paying for another procedure should they quickly develop a new leak. Otherwise it will be: "I told you so..."

And you MUST pay attention to jestal's crucial advice from above: "Remember that there is a rather thin washer-like spacer under the fork seal that the tube presses against to pull the seal out. That washer will get distorted into a cone shape when you pull the tubes out so it MUST be checked for flatness/re-flattened/replaced when you reassemble the forks or (else) the seals (new or old) will leak. Remind the dealer tech of this if the dealer is going to take them apart to save yourself a trip back."

I can testify as to the truth of what jestal says by first-hand experience and two unnecessary subsequent shop tear-downs. By the way, it was information from this forum on this subject that I took to the dealer that finally made them understand the problem and the solution. The best contributors on this forum are as good or better than the best service manager or shop tech.

 

[Grumpy]

To properly service the forks, to properly drain/change the oil, they need to be pulled apart, seals and all out. Seals are relatively inexpensive. Have them replaced so you have duly complied with service department recommendations, which gets you off the hook paying for another procedure should they quickly develop a new leak. Otherwise it will be: "I told you so..."
And you MUST pay attention to jestal's crucial advice from above: "Remember that there is a rather thin washer-like spacer under the fork seal that the tube presses against to pull the seal out. That washer will get distorted into a cone shape when you pull the tubes out so it MUST be checked for flatness/re-flattened/replaced when you reassemble the forks or (else) the seals (new or old) will leak. Remind the dealer tech of this if the dealer is going to take them apart to save yourself a trip back."

I can testify as to the truth of what jestal says by first-hand experience and two unnecessary subsequent shop tear-downs. By the way, it was information from this forum on this subject that I took to the dealer that finally made them understand the problem and the solution. The best contributors on this forum are as good or better than the best service manager or shop tech.

Gunny

 

[LAGO RUNNER]

Same here on the seals bro..38k my mech. said not leaking no need to fix