Front forks leaking

[darman4Christ]

What does it take to replace the seals on front forks? Do You have to have special tools? If my forks are leaking is it just the seals that will need to be replaced?

Bike is 1992 RM-125

Thanks!!

 

[nickyd]

yes to all. leaking seals will require you to have new seals, some seal grease (if you so desire), fork oil, a seal driver and the knowledge of how to take the forks apart....first time is a doozy, after that it gets easier but requires a pretty substantial investment in time and money (the drivers are $50 alone)...plus seals....if you're uncomfortable, take them to a shop - OR get the manual and get to work!!! Good luck

 

[Someone]

Or get some old film negatives and work it past the seals. This has worked for me 9/10 times.

 

[nickyd]

you can give that route a whirl too - I have had success with business cards - take the dust wipers out first though

 

[darman4Christ]

put the cards between seals and forks?

 

[nickyd]

you need to pull the dust seals and then work a card or film negative past the lip of the oil seal and "floss" your way around...the idea is that dirt is in the lip of the seal and it is letting oil by....if you see a little oil on the slider after riding, this is an alternative....if you have a puddle on the floor, the seal may be toast and this will not work too well.

 

[darman4Christ]

yes i have puddles. time to bite the bullet and send them off i guess or maybe i'll get out my trusty manual and give it a shot myself. pray for me and my bike!!

 

[Eric Jones]

Hello:
I'm sick of doing this with my KX, so this time I'm putting "Seal Savers" on. They are like booties to keep sand/dirt out of the seals.

 

[nickyd]

Hello:
I'm sick of doing this with my KX, so this time I'm putting "Seal Savers" on. They are like booties to keep sand/dirt out of the seals.

you might have something else wrong ( a gouge in the slider....OR could just be excessive dirt).

 

[Someone]

On my 01 and 05 YZ 250's I had seal savers on both. They're not perfect (I still managed to get some dirt in the seals twice in 3 years on my 01). No problems using seal savers on my 05 so far. Before I put the seal savers on my 01, I was having leaks almost 1/5 rides.

 

[Magellan]

Seal replacement is do-able without special tools.
Hard parts are getting the damper bolt loose and driving the seals in.

Loosen the bolt with the springs still in place. I have been able to do this without an air impact.
I made my own driver using some steel pipe that I cut to length and wrapped with duct tape and then used the old seals to protect the new ones.

It's important to have a clean work area if you do this. It is a bit messy.