front fork leaking again

[baco99]

So, I took the bike out today.  (it's running fantastic, btw.)
The right front fork is leaking fluid again.  I pushed the seal in tighter and installed new retainer clips.  The seals themselves are new.  Could it need another new seal already?  Left side is perfect.  When I replaced the right side, I had a bear of a time getting the thing apart.  Could I have damaged something else? 

Any help would be great!

[spc]

knick the forktube maybe?  I think NGFL had the same deall goin on and it ended up bein a tweaked lower triple

[baco99]

do those rings that are seated below the rubber seal do anything to keep fluid contained, or are they for tube alignment?  I have a replacement beause I think the "C" ring may have been damaged on the install.  may have to rip the fork apart again and do it over.

maybe time for progressives while i'm at it???

[RVertigo]

I don't know why it's leaking...  But, upgrading your springs is worth it.   

[The Buddha]

OK how did you fix it. What was the problem. Might have missed that post.
Cool.
Srinath.

[nastynate6695]

chances are your forks are pitted.  thats what happened to mine.  Had to replace them.  The c clip acts as a retainer and shouldnt hurt the tupe at all.

[Jay_wolf]

What do u mena by pitted?

[baco99]

the tubes have a very minor amount of pitting.  do you think that is enough to scar the seal?

and for srinath...i replaced both the left and right seals a while ago.  the right just started leaking again, but the install on the right was MUCH more difficult than the left.  took several hours to pry the thing apart.  i don't think i bent anything, but the little ring #4 in the picture was damaged, so i replaced it.  and i ordered a new #3, but never put it in.  the old one didn't want to go into that little countersunk space inside the shock body.

maybe my #10 is bad???

[nastynate6695]

What do u mena by pitted?

I mean that there are tiny nicks and scratches in the tube. 

It doesnt take much to tear the seals.  One little pit    looks like a giant jagged crator  under a microscope.  the constant up and down movement of the shocks constantly going over the same spot again and again is enough to start a tear.  The once you get a small tear no matter what you do fork oil is going to come out.

[baco99]

that makes sense if it's an old seal, but these seals are new and the bike only has about 100 miles on it since they were put in.

[nastynate6695]

doesnt matter if they are old or new.  a pitted fork will tear any seal to crap.  I replaced mine and they were fine for a week.  then they started leaking again.  I found some forks in good shape and swapped them.  No problem.  Check your tubes where they are leaking.   run your hand around the area of travel for the fork.  if you feel anything "bumpy" or indented then im correct.  If its smooth and all you see is a nice shiney finish then im wrong and you have a bigger problem

[scratch]

Another thing to do, and this is important, is to put a plastic sandwich bag over the top of the fork tube before you slide the new seal on; it will prevent the sharp (they're sharp to the seal) edges of the tube from destroying the seal's lip; lubricate the bag with fork oil.

[patwcon]

I also replace my fork seal myself -- tough job but well worth the savings.  Your problem may be as simple as a bad (new) seal.  I know the solution -- replacing the seal again will not be simple.  Is there anyway you could have over-filled the tube?

[baco99]

i could have overfilled.  i think i measured to 370 mL

[nastynate6695]

If you overflowed it you would leak for awhile but then theres a good chance it would fix itself.  We did this with a budy's bike.  He got lucky and it stopped leaking.

[baco99]

well, the new owner will have to deal with it.  he's picking it up on Tuesday.


now starts the fun part for me: shopping for the next one.