SV650 Fork Seals - Pissing oil (Urgent!)

[loply]

Hi folks,

I've just replaced my fork springs and seals on an SV650 2004 model, and gone out for a test ride to make the alarming discovery that the seals don't seal - at all!

The bike appeared to ride fine but upon returning home the calipers and fairing were covered in oil and a pool quickly formed below both forks.

I noticed that my new seals, Vesra ones, were about 1-2mm "shorter" in height than the old ones.

Also, perhaps importantly, they were free to move "up and down" within their seat by about 5mm. I wondered if this was just some deliberate design by Suzuki.

That is to say that once I put the fork seal in place, and put the retaining clip thing above it, there is a gap between the two. Is this the cause of the problem?

The guide bush is definately firmly in place and I didnt miss out any parts for sure.

Any suggestions appreciated as I have a trackday on Thursday to get to
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[NSR Mick]

Did you put them in the right way up?

I also always use genuine seals as I've had no end of trouble with copy's.
____________________
If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[loply]

I had trouble ascertaining which way was "right way up" because they had spring-rings on both sides.

They had some square markings at 30 degree intervals on one face though, and Haynes Manual said "with markings facing upwards" so I put them in that way.

I'm just looking at pictures on Google and it seems the retaining ring should be flush with the seal - certainly not the case for me (as stated about a 5mm gap). I'm still wondering if I have the wrong seals...

Unfortunately I have discarded the box so I can't check
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Paddy Blake]

There is no way they should be moving at all.
Were they a tight fit going in.
Even if there was a half a mm gap between the clip and seals they should
be in tight and not move up and down.

Paddy.

[loply]

I've just realised, and quite how the hell this didn't occur to me earlier, that the new fork seals literally just slid into place... No hammering at all required.

In stark contrast to every other fork seal I've ever installed.

I think the alarm bells were well and truly on strike for that particular moment, because they've only just started ringing.

Wrong seals - must be. Surely?
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[cheekythomas]

I assume you mean the depth of the seal doesnt seem the same, this isnt ideal but certainly wont be the cause of the leaking. Its the inner and outer diameter thats most important.

You might have fitted them the wrong way up... without seeing a seal its hard to tell. Did you clean any marks, pitts etc off the leg before sliding the new seal down?? Did you fit the seal with a proper tool?? Did you fill with the right quantity of oil? How tight was the seal to fit into the leg??

It doesnt take much to damage a seals lip, and once marked its dead... the fact its happening to both legs is very weird..

[cagiva gezzer]

OE seals or pattern? Did you check the size markings on them before fitting?
____________________
"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[instigator]

[cheekythomas]

Pattern ones, but decent pattern ones as i assume he means Vesrah... which aint bad.

If they just slid into place dead easy they sound like the wrong ones... they always take a little force as the tolerances have to be sooooo small.

[NSR Mick]

The last Vesrah ones I had lasted about 100 miles.

Put some OEM ones in and it's been fine ever since.
____________________
If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[cagiva gezzer]

Pattern seals have never lasted in mine. They were 0.5mm to "thin". Close enough to seal for a while, then they just let go.
____________________
"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[sickpup]

Never had a problem with pattern seals.

Always have a problem when I don't replace the bushes.

You didn't replace them did you?

[instigator]

[sickpup]

And yet I fit new bushes and everything is fine. Itchy took my advice, ask him what he thinks.

[cheekythomas]

Some pattern stuff is awful... but not them all... dont forget suzuki dont make them, just buy them and put them in a suzuki packet

Ive fitted loads and loads of pattern seals, never had one fail that i didnt expect too... (normally pitted, marked legs etc)

[sickpup]

[TUG]

pattern stuff has never failed me, from discs to pads to even fork seals. but when i had my seals done on the fzr i had to get my mechanic to do it cos i couldnt get the damper out.
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[SoND]

[TUG]

i just give him my seals and oil and he fitted em an they aint leaked yet, theres only a washer under my seal then the rest of the stuff like the damper etc is further down past a 2 bearing seal.
so didnt have that problem.
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[loply]

Vesrah fork seals have a good reputation as a good quality pattern seal, I've heard them praised in various places.

Anyhow I'm certain these are the wrong ones as they slid into place without hammering, as stated I don't know why I didn't realise at the time....

Going back to get them changed today. Thanks folks!
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[loply]

New seals sorted it. Old ones were 1mm too small, the reference book in the guys shop was wrong.

Cheers again
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!