KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX250 / KX125 => Topic started by: havoc raceing on March 06, 2009, 06:44:26 AM

Title: bad fork seals?
Post by: havoc raceing on March 06, 2009, 06:44:26 AM
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?
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: Hillclimb#42 on March 06, 2009, 07:10:08 AM
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) :lol: 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.
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: havoc raceing on March 07, 2009, 05:12:01 AM
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
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: KXcam22 on March 11, 2009, 03:19:19 AM
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.
 
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: havoc raceing on March 11, 2009, 09:29:10 AM
well when i landed a bunch of fluid shot out of the bottom of the forks :-o and i pulled it apart and the seal was almost torn in half so im also thinking i had to much fork oil
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: superorbital on March 19, 2009, 01:15:39 PM
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.
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: havoc raceing on March 21, 2009, 04:32:53 PM
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
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: KXcam22 on March 24, 2009, 02:35:05 AM
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.
Title: Re: bad fork seals?
Post by: havoc raceing on March 24, 2009, 05:45:52 AM
ya i relized how ez it would have been to make the tools i needed after i ordered them