SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1617127832

Message started by Kultovbelial on 03/30/21 at 11:10:32

Title: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by Kultovbelial on 03/30/21 at 11:10:32

Hello guys, I'm a new rider and also new to the forum. I got an S40 2006 as my first bike. I've noticing oil leaks on the front area where the bike is parked (front wheel area). I thought it would come front the upper area where the seals are but a mechanic saw that it actually comes front the bottom of the tubes, from inside the tube down to the floor.
What could be the cause and the estimate to fix it? The mechanic said $150 to take a look in the tube which he thinks might be a loose screw, or could be the tube that is bad already and if that's the case, he would change the tube and seals for $300.
What are you guys opinions?

Thanks.

Title: Re: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/30/21 at 12:40:03

Put a hex wrench on the fitting at the bottom of the fork and see if it turns. It just might be loose. If not, then you probably need a new copper crush washer.

You've lost fork oil, so now you REQUIRE a fork service. Both forks should be filled so there is a 75mm air gap (forks compressed, springs out). This service requires that the forks be removed from the bike. They can be removed one at a time.

Title: Re: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by Dave on 03/30/21 at 17:48:51

22282C262D242029777175450 wrote:

Put a hex wrench on the fitting at the bottom of the fork and see if it turns. It just might be loose. If not, then you probably need a new copper crush washer.

And....you have to take the front axle out to get to the screws that are in the bottom of the fork legs.

Title: Re: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by ohiomoto on 03/30/21 at 19:37:32

Gary and Dave are spot on. This is an easy fix. Remove axle, tighten allen bolt, and reaseble. The copper washers might need to be replaced or annealed, but your mechanic should be way more than happy to do this for $150.

I wouldn't go as far as Gary in saying that the forks need "serviced". I would just make sure they still have oil.

Title: Re: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/31/21 at 10:23:59

A service is required.

How long has it been leaking? A week? A month? A year? Who knows? In that time how much fluid has been lost? !/2 Once or all but 1/2 an ounce? Once again, who knows. When was the last time that the forks were serviced? Since the bike is new to the OP, probably once again unknown. That sounds like a service to me. How can you check the oil quantity without verifying the oil height? If the fork is removed, and the spring removed for verification of oil height - that is by definition "a service"

If the fork is going to be removed and checked for oil height, it only makes sense to change the oil since the age and condition are unknown. Me...I would probably change the crush washer during this service due to the high likelihood of another leak.

Title: Re: Front Fork leak (no seal leak)
Post by ohiomoto on 03/31/21 at 17:31:05

My idea of a "service" on a fork this crud is to tighten up that bolt, pull the top caps, and make sure both forks have roughly the same amount of fluid.

So I would say we are in complete agreement! ;D