• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

1978 GS550 Fork seals replacement

  • Thread starter Thread starter sclemens
  • Start date Start date
S

sclemens

Guest
Hi guys,
my friend owns a 1978 GS 550 and needs to replace the fork seals. When she did it the first time it was a real pain in the b....:cry: to get the old seals off and the new ones on.
Does anybody have tips on how to do it 'the easy way' or even better step-by-step instructions.\\:D/:).
Thanks a bunch!!!!
Sabine
 
Those seals can be a right beggar to get out. I always try prising out, very carefully with a screwdriver. If that doesn't work it's a very careful punch inwards with a screwdriver, or sometimes punch around the inside of the fork. All the time being extra careful not to damage the inside of the leg where the seal is mounted (or else the seal will leak on the outside). Final step if all else fails is burn the rubber off with a blow torch and repeat - messy and smelly but has never failed me yet.
 
Do they have the air ports on the caps? Got mine out by taking out the circlip & sticking 160PSI in there with a bike Track pump... worked fine.

Dan :)
 
I always without fail fully strip & clean out forks whan changing the seals the only real problem can be the allen bolt in the bottom that holds the damper

Doing it this way takes a little longer but reduces the chance of damaging the fork leg or the sealing surface & gives you the chance to inspect the internal bushing :-D
 
I've done 3 sets on my Yammies only but i think they'll be the same on the GSs. Once you have all the gubbins out(spring, damper rod upper leg etc.)take out the circlip to expose the seal. Using a dremel tool with cutter disk fitted carefully cut a slot into the seal. Once the slot is cut the seal can very easily pried out with a thin regular screw driver.

Before installing the replacement, clean out any gunge (don't you love technical jargon?) with emery cloth or wet dry sand paper and wipe clean with a cloth and a little mineral spirits. Smear a little bit of plain axle grease around the outer ring of the seal and start it into the tube. Make sure it goes in square. To drive it home I use a rubber mallet with a head of approximately the same diameter. Place the head of the mallet onthe seal and strike the mallet with another mallet or hammer. Works everytime.

Hope this helps abit.

Good luck with the project.

Cheers,
Spyug
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top