bad fork seals?

[havoc raceing]

so i hit a jump and didnt make the landing and compleatly compresed my suspention and now one of my forks is leaking really bad do i need just new seals or a whole rebuild kit?

[Hillclimb#42]

Just seals. Lots of guys would recommend doing both, if one leaks. I usually fix the side that leaks, but I'm not coming up short on huge jumps very often. (I go around those) If you are hitting alot of jumps, then definately do seals and wipers on both sides. If they leak right after a repair without the huge case smasher, then you can replace bushings that align the tubes.

[havoc raceing]

ok cool thanks cuz there is no fluid left at all in one side and i hit a lot of big jumps so i will do what i can

[KXcam22]

Havoc,
If bottoming blows your seals then it is possible that you have too much oil in them, ie too high a level.  I would suggest the stock seals or the factory connection (or other susp company).  I am not sure that the quality is there on some of the cheaper aftermarket ones.  I would also suggest checking your spring rate to make sure it is stiff enough. Cam.
 

[havoc raceing]

well when i landed a bunch of fluid shot out of the bottom of the forks and i pulled it apart and the seal was almost torn in half so im also thinking i had to much fork oil

[superorbital]

How hard is it to change fork seals?  I have a 2003 KX125 that needs new fork seals.  I am pretty good with working on cars, but I have never pulled the front forks and disassembled.  What kind of issues or problems will a first timer encounter?  Thanks in advance.

[havoc raceing]

well the first time i did it i had to take it in cuz i didnt have the tools i need but now i do if you dont have the tools go into a motorsports place and ask them what you need or take yoour forks in and have them do it for you

[KXcam22]

In general forks are pretty easy to work on.  Sometimes you need some special tools but I have always been able to make them for free out of scraps, PVC pipe etc.  For instance, you might need a set of seal drivers which can sometimes be made from PVC pipe.  Even if you have to buy real ones the cost is less that a 1/2 hour shop labor rate and then you have the tools forever.  For instance, my dual chamber showa manual shows all kinds of special tools and I ended up only making a 2" fork cap wrench, which I probably should have gone to the chinese tool store and bought a socket cheap. The other "special tools" were easily replaced by normal tools. I would say go for it, buy a few tools, learn some stuff about your forks. It makes you a better mechanic in the end. Cam.

[havoc raceing]

ya i relized how ez it would have been to make the tools i needed after i ordered them