Benefits of replacing fork seals?

[olie05]

I was wondering if someone could explain when fork seals need to be replaced, and if the fork seal is a crucial part to handling of the bike, (or is it just there to keep the fluid from spilling out?)

I'm trying to gauge whether I should do a front end rebuild as preventative maintenance or just leave it as it is (no leaky forks yet)

[the_finch]

The fork seals don't just keep the oil from spilling out, they contain a pretty decent amount of pressure as well (under compression). I would say if they're not leaking yet, leave them alone (as long as you're just doing regular commuting, etc.), but I would keep in mind that it is something you will likely have to do in the future, as our bikes just keep getting older.

If you wind up having to take the forks apart for any reason (tuning, new fork oil, etc) I would go ahead and do it while you're at it. I'm gonne be putting new springs, fork oil, and Racetech Gold Valves in the next week or two, so I'll go ahead and replace the seals while I'm at it, just so I don't have to take them apart again in the near future.

[M in KC]

If your seals are not leaking leave them be they are just there to keep the fork oil in and the crud out. You could however change your fork oil without changing your seals and start playing with oil weights and capacities to see if you can optimize the front suspension to your likeing.

[pimpin]

just about bailed under an 18 wheeler last night going around a corner due mainly to a leaky seal as near as I can tell. bike was fine cornnering untill I began to apply the brakes then all hell broke loose. I would do it if you're in there.

Pimpin

[mxryder21]

just about bailed under an 18 wheeler last night going around a corner due mainly to a leaky seal as near as I can tell. bike was fine cornnering untill I began to apply the brakes then all hell broke loose. I would do it if you're in there.

Pimpin

why were you braking through a turn?

[Huckleberry]

why were you braking through a turn?

too much speed not enough balls......... when in doubt lean like hell and ring her out

[mxryder21]

[pimpin]

... brains over balls in this case, a rarity in my world but was due to the fact that I was actually just about out of the right hander with a red light comming up and the bumper of a car comin up faster and the 18 wheeler coming the other direction so not a lot of options. Ordinarily it would have been no problem what so ever but as I say, leaking seal left the front end out of wack and it started to complain perfusely as soon as I squeezed the brake. No problem braking in a straight line but this slight angle caused some huge problems.

[Huckleberry]

well anytime you brake through a curve u are going to fall to the outside man its just physics but yeah the leaky from doesnt help. Be careful.... now back to our regularly scheduled program

[DonTZ125]

Leaking seals can apply fork oil to your brake rotors. Get 'em fixed.

Leaking seals can apply fork oil to your tire contact patch. Get 'em fixed.

Leaking seals prevent the air from pressurising inside the forks, reducing your effective spring rate, increasing dive and generally screwing up your geometry at the worst possible time. Get 'em fixed.

Leaking seals allow the oil to escape, which can cause your internals to seize. Get 'em fized.

I'm sure there are other dire consequences, but suffice it to say - get 'em fixed!