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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112
Edited Date/Time 2/21/2015 9:11pm
Can fork seals shrink in the cold? I put my bike away a few months ago. No leaks. Had some cold temps last few days. Went out today. Oil running down the brake side fork leg. I'm getting tired of this crap if it's not one thig it's another.
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jstein639
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jstein639 2/21/2015 8:22am
2/21/2015 8:22am
Zesiger 112 wrote:
Can fork seals shrink in the cold? I put my bike away a few months ago. No leaks. Had some cold temps last few days. Went...
Can fork seals shrink in the cold? I put my bike away a few months ago. No leaks. Had some cold temps last few days. Went out today. Oil running down the brake side fork leg. I'm getting tired of this crap if it's not one thig it's another.
I always assumed they dried out if left without using them for too long. Maybe someone else can tell you the exact cause but it's common to have a seal break after storing for a while
ktm212
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ktm212 2/21/2015 8:26am
2/21/2015 8:26am Edited Date/Time 2/21/2015 8:28am
let them sit in the cold and they can leak; the change in temp, moisture, and combined with sitting. It all factors in, its a normal thing unfortunately, especially on seals that are on their way out.
holeshot100
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holeshot100 2/21/2015 8:29am
2/21/2015 8:29am
Hmmm....I know my pecker does..Wink
298
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298 2/21/2015 8:30am
2/21/2015 8:30am Edited Date/Time 2/21/2015 8:30am
They will leak, yes. There is a couple factors that play into it but the main thing is don't compress the forks super rapidly after letting them sit in the cold because you will damage them (after sitting long periods of time).

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hillbilly
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hillbilly 2/21/2015 10:48am
2/21/2015 10:48am
Air pressure can build in the outer chamber as weather systems pass running the barometer up and down.

If it is a piece of dirt causing it I pull the dust seal down so I can access the oil seal. Then take a tearoff and trim it into a point shape like the blade of a knife.

This can be slipped under the lip of the seal easily when wrapped against the fork leg. After it is slipped in I slide it around the
Leg and remove the debri. It helps to not bleed the air before doing this oldschool trick so the pressure could help push out the particles.
Cygnus
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Cygnus 2/21/2015 10:52am
2/21/2015 10:52am
hillbilly wrote:
Air pressure can build in the outer chamber as weather systems pass running the barometer up and down. If it is a piece of dirt causing...
Air pressure can build in the outer chamber as weather systems pass running the barometer up and down.

If it is a piece of dirt causing it I pull the dust seal down so I can access the oil seal. Then take a tearoff and trim it into a point shape like the blade of a knife.

This can be slipped under the lip of the seal easily when wrapped against the fork leg. After it is slipped in I slide it around the
Leg and remove the debri. It helps to not bleed the air before doing this oldschool trick so the pressure could help push out the particles.
We used to use negatives from old film cameras. The little holes made for great dirt grabbers.
Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 2/21/2015 9:11pm
2/21/2015 9:11pm
hillbilly wrote:
Air pressure can build in the outer chamber as weather systems pass running the barometer up and down. If it is a piece of dirt causing...
Air pressure can build in the outer chamber as weather systems pass running the barometer up and down.

If it is a piece of dirt causing it I pull the dust seal down so I can access the oil seal. Then take a tearoff and trim it into a point shape like the blade of a knife.

This can be slipped under the lip of the seal easily when wrapped against the fork leg. After it is slipped in I slide it around the
Leg and remove the debri. It helps to not bleed the air before doing this oldschool trick so the pressure could help push out the particles.
Good point about the air pressure change. Didn't even think about that. And I have a seal mate thing I will use tomorrow when I get to it.

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