Fork seal replacement?

[bcs]

'06 WR450 fork seals are leaking like a seive.

So my local dealer quoted me $170 labor (plus parts) to change 'em--one hour labor per fork? And that's if I pull the forks off the bike and bring 'em in. I can't believe they need that much time to replace seals. What do you guys think is a fair price for that work?

Anyone want to suggest a good/conscientious/fair mechanic in the south Orange County area?

[Just_a_trail_rider]

YOU are the best mechanic for the job.

get the motopower video (www.motopowervideo.com) and it will show you how to change the seals yourself.

Change the fork oil while you are at it.

[creeky]

YOU are the best mechanic for the job.

get the motopower video (www.motopowervideo.com) and it will show you how to change the seals yourself.

Change the fork oil while you are at it.

+1 on this.

[Just_a_trail_rider]

There's even a youtube video that show you how to do it. Its a 45 minute job at most.

[SJMC_DON]

agreed... even without the videos, your manual will take you step by step on doing it. You don't need the yamaha fork seal driver either - a simple $1.00 2" PVC pipe coupler split longways will do the job just fine..

This is a job I would suggest learning to do, over the life of your ownership of the bike you'll probably have to do it more than once:prof:

[Thumper_Bloke]

Seriously! you can do it !

[bcs]

Thanks guys. I have done the job before, on older "right side up" forks. Problem is that sometimes I don't have the time to do this stuff...I just need the bike to be ready to ride.

[falk781]

It's a bit longer than 45 minutes if you haven't done it before, especially if you're going to change the oil in both chambers and wipe everything clean.

Ask me if you get stuck, I'd be happy to help..

170 dollars is very high since the seals are only 20 bucks. Depends on what you buy as far as oil goes as well....

[WR450FGreg]

.

bcs,

Ask a different mechanic for a quote if you can't find the time to do it yourself.

.... Ask two or three even better!

I did my own '08 seals and oil a couple of weeks back. First time I've done "upside-down" forks too. It was easy, as all these guys have been saying.

I simply followed the instructions in the Owners Manual.

I did have to make up a holding tool out of a short length of tube but that was as easy as the rest of the job.

Greg

[drtbk4ever]

Here is a thread from another forum detailing how to change your forkseals.

I found having pictures extremely helpful when I did this for the very first time.

http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16751

[face_plant]

170 labor is about usual, it takes 15 min to get all the air out of the cartrage

yamaha just came out with a cleaning tech update how to clean them

or just get seal savers

[Danielp1]

Whats the trick to getting all the air out?

[SJMC_DON]

Whats the trick to getting all the air out?

After initial oil fill you pump the cartridge by hand about 15 times without stroking too far, the manual states how far to pump. It will cramp up your hand but it does not take 15 minutes...?

Perhaps after 15 minutes of riding you will want to bleed them at the bleeders on top:ride:

[kjr247]

It is a bit intimidating but a friend of mine helped me. He used the PVC and a ziplock freezer bag to slide the new seal on the fork. It might take you a bit longer but you can ensure the seals are not put on to quickly and have zero leaks. We took our time and I was sure to pay attention during the rebuild. KJR

[w00dsRider]

I just did my first fork seal change EVER about a month ago. It took me about an hour for the first fork (yeah I kept going back to the vid and manual to make sure I wasn't messing up:)) and about 20 minutes to do the second. Really easy stuff! I'll never send that work out again. I did buy all the specialty tools before I did the job and they made it really easy to do.

[broccoli2]

170 labor is about usual, it takes 15 min to get all the air out of the cartrage

yamaha just came out with a cleaning tech update how to clean them

or just get seal savers

What are seal savers?? Do you have a link??

Thanks

[drtbk4ever]

In the TT store.

http://shop.thumpertalk.com/catalogs/Tucker_Rocky_Offroad_2007/default.asp?p=595

[broccoli2]

In the TT store.

http://shop.thumpertalk.com/catalogs/Tucker_Rocky_Offroad_2007/default.asp?p=595

huh, looks interesting, do use them? do they work? if so, I am at work and not near my bike I have an 08 WR450 witch ones should I order?

Thanks

[drtbk4ever]

I have the Seal Savers and I have had no issues and run short blue ones. I know some people don't like them but they work fine for me.

Decide if you want the long ones (protect more of the upper fork tubes) or the short ones and which Color you want. You will need the ones that fit the 44mm to 50mm fork tubes (1 3/4 inch). They attach with velcro and zip ties.

A note on your plastic fork protectors. The upper clamp for the fork protector attaches to the fork exactly where this Seal Saver will go. I just got longer bolts and put the clamps around the Seal Savers.

[broccoli2]

Thanks for the info, put a little gas in your tank