Rear shock leaking

[Rip and grip]

Hey everyone! I recently noticed my rear shock is leaking but very minimal oil loss tho. I cleaned around the shiny push rod where the oil was and let the bike sit for a couple days and there appeared to be no further oil loss ran my finger around the upper part where the oil appeared to be leaking before I wiped it off, and it was still dry. It’s been about a week now and still dry. I think bike has sat a lot of it’s life… is it normal for it to leak a little bit of oil over time or is this a sign I will need to rebuild my shock? I’m a pretty experienced rider I’m not overly concerned about how “safe” the shock is but more concerned about weather or not it could possibly damage my shock further. I have a race coming up and really don’t want to add this to the list of stuff I need to get done to the bike beforehand… I can get to it later this summer just trying to get patched up enough to enter the race on right now. Let me know what you guys think, thanks!

Edited February 17, 2022 by Rip and grip

[Slackkinhard]

might have just got some dust in the seal

[Rip and grip]

2 minutes ago, Slackkinhard said:

might have just got some dust in the seal

Could have been that would make sense…

[Slackkinhard]

Just now, Rip and grip said:

Could have been that would make sense…

if it's not leaking, and you don't feel any difference in performance, I wouldn't be concerned, just watch it to see if it starts leaking

[Rip and grip]

Just now, Slackkinhard said:

if it's not leaking, and you don't feel any difference in performance, I wouldn't be concerned, just watch it to see if it starts leaking

That’s part of the issue so don’t know what it was set to because I bought the bike not very long ago used. I don’t think it’s set right tho because i can compress it about a third of the way down by slamming down on the back end by hand, but wouldn’t think this would be due to oil loss… no knocking or anything I’m aware yet either… pretty sure you’re right I’ll keep a eye on it. Thanks 

[Piney Woods]

"slamming it down by hand" is not an accurate test of anything. Ride it and then evaluate. Get someone local with more experience to help you.

[Rembrand]

Shock seal needs pressure to seal  so check the nitrogen pressure on the reservoir or have it checked. 

Shock seal needs pressure to seal  so check the nitrogen pressure on the reservoir or have it checked. 

[turbo dan]

Any idea if it's ever been serviced?

[Rip and grip]

33 minutes ago, turbo dan said:

Any idea if it's ever been serviced?

No, I know forks where done by procircuit but no idea about the shock

[Rip and grip]

Any noises I could listen for to tell me it’s bad? I heard if it starts getting springy it needs serviced but tbh the dampening seems pretty good 

[SlowDinoDog]

15 minutes ago, Rip and grip said:

Any noises I could listen for to tell me it’s bad? I heard if it starts getting springy it needs serviced but tbh the dampening seems pretty good 

You took the spring off the shock and the damper was easy to compress 1/3 of the way before it resisted?

Or, you're just pressing down on the back of the seat and it comresses 1/3 of the way easily?

Edited February 17, 2022 by SlowDinoDog

[Rip and grip]

26 minutes ago, SlowDinoDog said:

You took the spring off the shock and the damper was easy to compress 1/3 of the way before it resisted?

Or, you're just pressing down on the back of the seat and it comresses 1/3 of the way easily?

I wouldn’t say easily… probably a 1/3 to 1/2 by slamming down on the back of the seat, didn’t take the spring off. I think someone who didn’t know what they where doing adjusted it. 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Rip and grip

[Rip and grip]

I was looking for the whole shock used on eBay just to have as a spare and to save some wrench turning if this one does go out (about $150-$200 either way). but all I could find was one for like a 02 CR250 would that fit the 04 CR250?

Edited February 17, 2022 by Rip and grip

[Slackkinhard]

13 minutes ago, Rip and grip said:

I was looking for the whole shock used on eBay just to have as a spare and to save some wrench turning if this one does go out (about $150-$200 either way). but all I could find was one for like a 02 CR250 would that fit the 04 CR250?

set your sag?

 

[Rip and grip]

1 minute ago, Slackkinhard said:

set your sag?

 

Not yet that might be a good thing to mess around with

[Slackkinhard]

21 minutes ago, Rip and grip said:

Not yet that might be a good thing to mess around with

First things first...key to lots of things

[CR250-2007]

As above, set the sag, then plan on rebuilding the shock.

Before you rebuild the shock, check the Rod (#9)for corrosion, they tend to corrode under the rubber bump stop (#10). The rod for your year is no longer available, so if it's corroded, you'll need to get it plated.

When you rebuild the shock, replace the Oil Seal Set (#54), Piston Ring (#13), and O-rings (#15)...

 

[Motox367]

If it leaked any oil out at all it's hurt performance period now air pocket in there. And will just get worse. Alot of times dirt gets packed in against seal head and makes them start leaking. Shocks are very easy to rebuild

[Rip and grip]

22 minutes ago, CR250-2007 said:

As above, set the sag, then plan on rebuilding the shock.

Before you rebuild the shock, check the Rod (#9)for corrosion, they tend to corrode under the rubber bump stop (#10). The rod for your year is no longer available, so if it's corroded, you'll need to get it plated.

When you rebuild the shock, replace the Oil Seal Set (#54), Piston Ring (#13), and O-rings (#15)...

 

Dirty but no corrosion I could see. I’ll keep a eye on it and see what it does. I might put some nitrogen in it as well as mentioned above at least temporarily for the race and then give it som new seals this summer 

[CR250-2007]

25 minutes ago, Rip and grip said:

Dirty but no corrosion I could see. I’ll keep a eye on it and see what it does. I might put some nitrogen in it as well as mentioned above at least temporarily for the race and then give it som new seals this summer 

When you wash the bike, slide the bump stop up the rod, it will stop the rod corroding.