Fork seal replacement

joesnuffy

I've got a '99 FXSTC with a leaking fork seal. My tire is starting to wear on the side of the bad seal, so I have to get with the program soon. I've pretty much decided on a new set of tires, anyway, but I was wondering if anyone has tackled this particular gremlin and if there are any suggestions or recommendations. I went through the self help section and there's really nothing there that I could see. I looked in my shop manual and with the right tools and time I could probably do it. So, what does everyone think? $25.00 for seals and $10.00 for oil or bite the bullet and pay $150.00 to the shop?

Hobbit

do it yourself.
I do not know what HD seals are like but on the metrics i have done i did it like this.

Drain oil
remove forks leaving sliders attached
remove fork covers to get at seals
remove snap ring
put a self tapping screw into the seal and yank HARD
put new seal over the stanchion and lightly spray wd40 on the stanchion.
Slide the seal down and into the rough place
get a plastic tube longer than the fork but the right diameter for the seal
put it on top of the seal and whack with brummie screw driver
but forks back onto bike and fill with prescribed fluid
pump forks slowly without springs and caps to remove air from fork
put in the springs and spacers and caps jobs done

joesnuffy

Alrighty, then. I do have the Brummie screwdrivers. All the way up to a 20 pounder I drive fence posts and bust things up with. If that won't cure it, I'll sell it!

glider

Here's some pics Joe.

Motorcycle Magazine: Cycle Connections

Once you remove the clip holding the seal in the slider and the 6MM bolt in the bottom of the slider, a few brisk tugs like a slide hammer will remove the seal from the lower leg and the leg comes off.

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Davidw2415

Thanks Joe and Hobbit with your help and some assistance from Google I now know what a Brummie screwdriver is. I've been using them all these years and never knew. I once had an Italian offer be the use his Italian framing hammer to break up some concrete. When I asked what he was talking about, he handed me a 30 pound sledge hammer.

joesnuffy

Neat, huh? The way we nickname our tools. Of course, most nicknames are unprintable!

joesnuffy

Thanks for the link, G.! I believe I can do it, just a little unsure of the waters. I lack a slide hammer and seal driver. Is this a problem or not?

Davidw2415

Joe if you have an Autozone in your area they may have the tools you need in their loan a tool program.

joesnuffy

Great idea, David! We have Advance Auto Parts but they have the same program. I never think of things like that. The mind goes right after the......you know!

Davidw2415

Eyes?