Fork seals

RealNinja
RealNinja Posts: 48
edited August 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
How difficult is it to replace MTB fork seals?

The forks specifically, are Manitou Axel Elites and the oil seal has blown on the right leg.

I have replaced a motorbike fork seal before, so I kind of know what I am looking at, but I don't want to start taking the thing apart and then find it's horribly complicated.

Anybody done this before?
It was one of those 'I'm going to die' moments!

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Usually require a tool to extract and pres them in, though can be bodged with sockets....
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  • Scubar
    Scubar Posts: 453
    Sounds fussy but i wish Rockshox would replace the crappy grey seals they put on the Recons,Revelations,Rebas and make them black.
    ___________________________________________________________

    My Marin Hawkhill 2007 - http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1382583/
  • Dangerous Dave
    Dangerous Dave Posts: 8,349
    You mean the crappy seals that are actually very good?

    Screwdriver and a rag to take them off, sockets and the old seals to press the new ones in.
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • Scubar
    Scubar Posts: 453
    yea the crappy grey seals that are actually very good, Why make them grey, black ones would look so much better with black forks, i want to get some black ones put on instead if possible.
    ___________________________________________________________

    My Marin Hawkhill 2007 - http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1382583/
  • MarvintheAndroid
    MarvintheAndroid Posts: 409
    That's it. I give up. Colour co-ordinated fork seals - now I've heard everything .....
    What tree ? ...........

    Trek 8000 ZR XC hardtail.
  • Scubar
    Scubar Posts: 453
    edited August 2007
    Some of us demand perfection when it comes to our bikes :) Im sure it bothers some other ppl too.
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    My Marin Hawkhill 2007 - http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1382583/
  • MarvintheAndroid
    MarvintheAndroid Posts: 409
    Touche
    What tree ? ...........

    Trek 8000 ZR XC hardtail.
  • WillGTJumper
    WillGTJumper Posts: 505
    i was just wondering how can tell you have broken a seal?
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  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Usually the forks get notchy, or oil leaks.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • Dangerous Dave
    Dangerous Dave Posts: 8,349
    Scubar wrote:
    Some of us demand perfection when it comes to our bikes :) Im sure it bothers some other ppl too.
    Lol. Admitted, they look good on Marz forks, but I've seen Rockshox with black seals, it doesn't look good, for some reason!

    Don't forget they all should be the same colour anyway: brown :lol:
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    Just a question - Why are you even looking at your fork seals? Your eyes should be firmly focused about 10-20 feet in front of your bike as you are thrashing down a punishing forest trail!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • Ciaran500
    Ciaran500 Posts: 348
    steelo wrote:
    Just a question - Why are you even looking at your fork seals? Your eyes should be firmly focused about 10-20 feet in front of your bike as you are thrashing down a punishing forest trail!
    You mean ride the bike? But it would get dirty then...
    My Meta 5.5.2 :D
  • Red Panda
    Red Panda Posts: 269
    This season my fork seals will mostly be wearing grey...
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    If you think about it getting the bike covered in a healthy layer of dirt may even begin to taint the grey seals black, after a few rides - hey presto - black seals!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • Dangerous Dave
    Dangerous Dave Posts: 8,349
    steelo wrote:
    Just a question - Why are you even looking at your fork seals? Your eyes should be firmly focused about 10-20 feet in front of your bike as you are thrashing down a punishing forest trail!
    10-20 feet? Pffft. How SLOW are you going! :wink:
    I'm thinking I look at my seals when I clean the bike down, and when I'm servicing the forks too...(thats my story and I'm sticking by it)
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    The trails are so technical that there are so many obstacles in that 20 feet that looking any further in front you are risking a serious 'off'. :D
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • Dangerous Dave
    Dangerous Dave Posts: 8,349
    Touche.

    I like it. Cool :lol:
    Shut up. And ride your bike.
    Originally posted by Jon
    As Dave and Alex raced past, someone in the other group of people said 'those two are good'
  • tom_j
    tom_j Posts: 66
    MarvintheAndroid wrote:
    That's it. I give up. Colour co-ordinated fork seals - now I've heard everything .....

    haha brill.

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