Fork seal stop leak

[jjz28]

I just read that you can use stop leak in the forks. I used the "search" and didn't find what I was looking for. I really don't know much about my forks (don't even know how to add oil) and was wondering if someone could tell me how to try it. The one fork has been leaking since I owned the bike, a little over a year and doesn't leak a lot (still has oil in it and leaks out a little each time I ride). What should I used and where do I put it in. My forks are smooth and not pitted so I would like to try this before taking my forks apart. Is there a way to drain the forks so I know how much to put in? And what stop leak should I use and how much and where do I put it in at? Thanks guys.

[jetmechmarty]

Jeff,

IMHO, that's a waste of time. You need to replace the seals. Your fork oil is probably as old as the bike too. It's time for you to learn a new task. The worst part is taking the forks off the bike.

Another thing; the fork can leak oil, yet still hold air. The air can only leak out the top of the fork. It can't get through the bottom seal unless there is little to no oil in there.

[WMarshy]

There was one guy who mentioned using stop leak and 0W engine oil in his forks for oil. I think he is the only one who thinks its a good idea. You won't get many people, especially any gurus telling you its a common or OK practice. Almost everyone is going to tell you to change your fork seals and use fork oil. I personally would stick with fork oil and see no benefit to the stop leak. Im sure fork oul is formulated specifically for the conditions and to achieve long seal life. I highly doubt anyone can make a home made concoction that would perform comparably. JMO

[jjz28]

I guess it makes the seal swell and tighter. I saw another place that had little plastic shoe horn devices that you shoved in there that got the dirt out I guess and are guaranteed to stop the leak. I don't see how they can guarantee that if dirt is not what is causing the leak. I am not taking the forks off till this winter so I thought maybe the stop leak would work till then. I ride to work a lot around 100 miles a day so thought it might hold me over. My fork doesn't pour oil out but it does leak, has been for a year. What happens when it runs dry? I guess the other fork is taking all the slack of the bad one.

[CaptonZap]

Once upon a time, I had a forklift automatic trnsmission that leaked oil. A friend, who owns a transmission repair shop, told me to put a cup of brake fluid in the transmission.
I did, and it hasn't leaked since. (it's been years)
The brake fluid softens the elastomers in the seals, and if they aren't cracked, they should start sealing again.
You might try a tablespoon of brake fluid in each tube, and let us know the outcome. It can't hurt anything, and if it doesn't help, you are no worse off than you were, and we will have learned something.

CZ

[jjz28]

How do I get fluid in the forks?

[jetmechmarty]

This won't fix it, but there is a method to extend seal life. When you park your bike at the end of your ride, dampen a rag with a little fork oil and wipe down the forks. This will help a lot over time.

Brake fluid is going to swell up everything in there. Will it do damage? I don't know.

[jetmechmarty]

How do I get fluid in the forks?

You have to take the cap off of the top. You pour it in there.

[CaptonZap]

Brake fluid is going to swell up everything in there. Will it do damage? I don't know.

The only thing in there that it would affect is the seal at the top of the sliders, and maybe an O-ring on the drain plug, and all the ones I've seen had a copper washer as the seal there and at the machine screw at the bottom of the sliders that is holding the damper assembly.
And if he is just trying to get by till this winter, it is a good opportunity to experiment with the process.
If mine leaked, I would try it myself.

CZ

[skids]

You have to take the cap off of the top. You pour it in there.

Be careful there. You should put the bike on the centerstsnd and use blocking at the front of the engine if if remove the caps. If you don't do that, the springs and things come up, and the front end goes down, and if it is on the side stand, she is going over!

[jjz28]

Thanks for the warning skids, as I don't have a center stand so that would have happened had I tried it. I have been riding it the way it is since I got it and thought I might try to band aid it till winter. If not, I will still ride it till winter unless it starts pouring or handling poorly.

[skids]

I guess you could use a bike jack.

[jetmechmarty]

What happens when it runs dry? I guess the other fork is taking all the slack of the bad one.

That's not very likely to happen, but if it does, you'll know. You'll be riding a pogo stick.

[oldnortonrider]

Once upon a time, I had a forklift automatic trnsmission that leaked oil. A friend, who owns a transmission repair shop, told me to put a cup of brake fluid in the transmission.
I did, and it hasn't leaked since. (it's been years)
The brake fluid softens the elastomers in the seals, and if they aren't cracked, they should start sealing again.
You might try a tablespoon of brake fluid in each tube, and let us know the outcome. It can't hurt anything, and if it doesn't help, you are no worse off than you were, and we will have learned something.

CZ

Actually, it's the mix of the automatic transmission fluid and the brake fluid that does its work to swell the seal(s). About 8 years ago, I had had a persistent leak from the front brake master cylinder; brakes worked fine; I didn't want to take anything apart cuz they worked so well. Had been persistent leak for couple years. A fellow rider told me to add some ATF to the reservoir brake fluid. He guaranteed it to stop the leak, and guaranteed that no harm would come to the brake system or effectiveness. So I mixed about half and half the contents of the reservoir. Leak stopped in a couple weeks; brakes have worked fine ever since, and no leak. jjz28 might consider to make a mix of half&half, or maybe 2 parts ATF, 1 part brake fluid, drain what he's got in the fork tubes, and put the mix (proper number of total oz.) in each fork tube.