Let fork tube slam to full extent - did I dmg something?

basalt · Oct 24, 2014

So I'm a suspension noob, and while trying to change my fork springs, the shock rod sank into the tube and I didn't have anything long enough to grab it.

I finally decided I could just remove the front tire and compress the fork all the way and grab the shock rod. This worked great, until it slipped and the fork slammed to its full extent and a bunch of oil came out the lower seal.

Did I dmg anything? Do I need to reseat the seal? It doesn't seem to be leaking anymore.

I learned my lesson and used the axle to keep the other tube from extending too far!

Thanks

Johnf3 · Oct 24, 2014

Take 10 minutes to remove your fork legs next time. Not sure what lower seal you reference, and I assume the bike slipped off a stand and onto the fork legs, which compressed the fork? That should not have caused the fork seal to leak. Maybe it overflowed from out the top?

Anyways, I doubt you caused any damage.

Taffy · Oct 24, 2014

ditto what John said

Taffy

basalt · Oct 24, 2014

Thanks

Bike was on the stand, fork was fully compressed to make the shock rod reachable. I let go and the lower fork leg fully extended (past the point when the cap and shock rod are connected) with some force. When it fully extended (with a thud) some oil was release from the fork seal, past the wiper, and ran down the fork and onto the ground.

Think of it as the opposite of bottoming hard. It extended hard and there was no cap connected to the shock rod to stop it.

Johnf3 · Oct 24, 2014

Ok. Opposite of what I was trying to visualize. When the fork extended like that, it could have tried to slide hammer itself apart, almost like you were trying to separate them on purpose. That would explain the oil leak, because it could have knocked the fork seal crooked enough to leak.

I would pop the dust seal and get a closer look at the circlip that holds the actual fork seal in place. Make sure it did not dig into the fork leg. Make sure the seal is in straight and the clip is in the groove and not damaged.

There is a metal washer that goes under the fork seal and above one of the fork bushings. The forks extending like they did could have hammered into this hard enough to make it concave. Probably won't hurt anything, as I have seen many come out like that, and it may be fine anyways. The next time you have them apart I would check the bushings and that washer carefully.

basalt · Oct 26, 2014

I check those things, thanks!

basalt · Nov 10, 2014

Oil was still leaking from the wiper, so I pulled it to have a look at everything before I rode yesterday. Seems the wiper was just still full of oil that was slowly leaking out. Looks like the seal and retaining clip are fine. WHEW.

Thanks for the advice.

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Let fork tube slam to full extent - did I dmg something?

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