leaking NEW fork Seals (yeap, another thread)

[nathanpa01]

I just CORRECTLY installed new fork seals, bushings and the works on the 426. An hour into the trails, they were both leaking. Was I mistaken to buy Moose seals? or do they require a period of time to seat and 'wear' in? To say the least I am disappointed.

Is it possible my forks are tweaked? maybe pulled in or pushed out at the axle bolt, causing uneven pressure on the seals? how would I know?

[kheiney]

That happened to me once. Turned out I really did put the seal in backwards. I took them out and put them back in the right way but they still leaked a little bit. Put fresh seals in again and then it was good.

[mikewrf18]

I just CORRECTLY installed new fork seals, bushings and the works on the 426. An hour into the trails, they were both leaking. Was I mistaken to buy Moose seals? or do they require a period of time to seat and 'wear' in? To say the least I am disappointed.

Is it possible my forks are tweaked? maybe pulled in or pushed out at the axle bolt, causing uneven pressure on the seals? how would I know?

I stated this in another Fork Seal Post, so my apologies if you've already heard this from me. I messed up a brand new set of fork seals on my WR because of what you stated above. I tightened the axle bolt before taking the bike off the stand. You have to make sure to set the bike back down and compress the suspension. Rock the suspension up and down 15+ times, then tighten axle holding bolts, then tighten axle nut. I slightly tweaked my inner(lower) tubes and it put that uneven pressure on the seals like you mentioned above. I learned the hard way, and I replaced the seals again a couple weeks later. I've had no problems since I started following this method. I would loosen up your axle nut, and axle holding bolts, rock it, and clean the fork seals with film strip, and retighten everything. Hopefully, they will seal then, and you won't have to replace them.

[lumpy790]

run you finger up and down every inch of the chrome leg. Rocks will often make a small nick in the tube and it will quickly chew a portion of the seal letting it leak. Running a small jewlers file across it will take the lip off the nick. You should check your fork tube like this often and it will save you from having to replace the seals.

[nathanpa01]

I have felt the fork tubes for nicks. they are smooth, other than some of the chrome pitting on the very bottom part of the lower tube, but that is out of the compression/travel range. I am going to put it back up on the stand, loosen the axle bolt, put it down and rock it, compress it like said, hopefully this is the issue. I KNOW they are installed in the right direction, without a doubt. I went from one leaker, Which is why I replaced them, to two with new ones. Oh the Joys of Toys!

[dvn]

I tried Moose seals once in my daughter's YZ125. They were leaking within 5 hours of use. Replaced them with oem and no problems since.

[NB061]

I have put MOOSE seals in 3 bikes. ALL 3 leaked within a couple hours. Replaced with Por-X or OEM seals and no problems. The Parts Unlimited rep claims they dont have any problems with them... BUT I always do...

[nathanpa01]

Wow. I can't believe of the 5 posts, 50% are negative on the Moose seals. Has anyone had a positive experience with them?

[osheen]

I've installed several sets of Moose seals with mixed results. Some leaked right away and some lasted a while. I do not like them. The way the seal is made, the lip of the seal allows dirt to be forced into the seal (actually encourages it!) instead of scraping it away like an OEM seal. The wipers that come with the kit are total junk and don't fit well. I never use them, they go in the garbage.

There is no benefit whatsoever in using aftermarket seals. They are no cheaper and you are at risk of wasting time, money and fork oil by running them. Nothing fits and works as well as OEM.

[grayracer513]

There are some aftermarket seals that work quite well, but they don't come in skin packed kits, and they aren't cheaper than OEM. Original equipment KYB stuff is currently your best bet, IMO.