Changing a fork seal

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Rasta-ninja
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Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:46 am
My Bike: zxr 400

Re: Changing a fork seal

Post by Rasta-ninja »

Awesome write up!

If we are only changing the seals do we need to remove the lower allen bolt (one with the gasket) part 5/6ish? I've heard these can be hard to get out.

I ask because in the manual the removal of this bolt comes after separating the inner and outer tube which would allow you to access/remove the seals and bushes. But not sure as I have read other info recommending to remove it... Is it because it helps with removing as much old oil as possible?
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masterofinsanity
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Re: Changing a fork seal

Post by masterofinsanity »

Jeez can't believe this was 13 years ago, looking at pics others have posted if you can remove the top of the inner fork then maybe you don't need to remove the allen bolt at the bottom to change the seal? has anyone tried this?
Don't forget people there is more to the zxr400 than this forum... check out www.zxrworld.co.uk also.
Rasta-ninja
Posts: 100
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:46 am
My Bike: zxr 400

Re: Changing a fork seal

Post by Rasta-ninja »

Yup and still useful! I'm not 100% sure but I think the lower allen bolt secures to the bottom of the damper rod/suspension unit. So am I right in saying in your original post you didn't need/use a spring compressor because you didn't separate the suspension unit(spring and rods etc)? So after undoing the top cap and bottom allen bolt you slid the whole unit out?

Most "How to's" I've seen (and in the H manual) involve backing off the cap, then using a spring compressor or spanner to loosen the locknut to allow removal of the cap, then sliding the spring out but leaving the dampening rod inside the inner tube to use as a pump to remove all oil and "burp" the new oil.

Never done this before so most likely wrong :lol: I was just unsure if the bottom allen bolt somehow kept the inner and outer tubes locked so was a necessity to get them apart. But if all its doing is keeping the suspension unit in place, and you use the spring compressor method to remove the cap (top of the unit), then I don't think it is a requirement as the unit will now only be attached to the inner tube at the bottom via the allen bolt? If that makes sense :lol:
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