Foxy Stoat seeks Pig

One day I will smile and laugh about it.... that day is not today though.

Oh you know, all those times when you have tried to (not very carefully) to free a seized seal with a screwdriver, or when you have tried to hammer a new seal in place because you never bothered to buy the correct tools. No? No of course you don't because I'm the only moron who would do that So I've managed put a few dings and scratches in the fork which will just eat into the seals anyway, so changing them is futile. Ah well as my wife says 'it's only money' It's actually time off the road i'm more fed up about.

So it's now time for new fork stanchions not just seals!! Never EVER going near my bike with tools again...........

Yes it's been a step too far for me today. Thoroughly fed up now. Managed to get one seal off ( the other one is still mangled) but could get the new seal seated properly which in turn meant I couldn't get the dust seal on. So now I have one partially stripped fork and one partially rebuilt fork. Both are in the back of my car along with all the bits in the hope that my local garage will take pity on me and sort out the mess and destruction I have caused (once they have finished laughing at me of course). Bike is off the road for a while now I guess. Gutted. Done that one too: only with the carbs. Gave them a carbless bike and a cardbox box full of bits. Well I guess I'm not the first person to turn up with a loads of bits after a bodge job Will give them a call at lunchtime but got to take the car to work for a while.

If only I was capable Tail between the legs phone call to the local garage tomorrow I think.

As Stu says itts a fz6 2004. Only one of the forks had a clip which I took out. I was following the service manual in the correct order ( I hope)

Thanks Tim. I had removed the Allen bolt. All the internals were taken out but I couldn't budget the seal. I also couldn't get the new seal to seat properly. Had to admit defeat and pack up.

Yes it's been a step too far for me today. Thoroughly fed up now. Managed to get one seal off ( the other one is still mangled) but could get the new seal seated properly which in turn meant I couldn't get the dust seal on. So now I have one partially stripped fork and one partially rebuilt fork. Both are in the back of my car along with all the bits in the hope that my local garage will take pity on me and sort out the mess and destruction I have caused (once they have finished laughing at me of course). Bike is off the road for a while now I guess. Gutted.

So it turns out the first clip I tried to remove is not a clip at all. It's the metal part inside the seal. So now I have two seals that won't budge.

Any trick to removing a seized seal

Now the seal won't budge after I removed the clip. Every YouTube video makes it look easy

Ok will check the bushings when I get that far. The 2nd clip had just popped straight one. I think I've minced the other one and that's why it won't come free

It does say in the manual I should be able to get it out with a flat head screwdriver as well

Thanks Stu, Just the seals.

http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/Seal%201.jpg First one can not see any clip http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/Seal%202.jpg Second one I have been digging out the rubber with a flat head screwdriver. Would Circlip pliers have been a better option? Not that I have any yet.

Help please. Forks are off. Caps off . Damper rod and bolt out but I can't get the old seals out. Should be a retaining clip bit can't see any unless it's I'm the rubber somehow. 2nd fork is exactly the same. Any ideas

Thought I would try and prep the bike ready for tomorrow. Had a bit of a nightmare. Took front wheel off, then realised I hadn't put the centre stand on a plank(for more lift at the front end). Had to put wheel back on, which was a bit of a sod to do. Took all front fairing off then realised I didn't really need to too. Lower pinch pins on the yoke don't look very clean and they wouldn't loosen off so I've WD40'd them overnight. Trying to get it all done before dark. So far not so good Hopefully not to many 'Crap, I've broken it threads tomorrow'

Thanks all. No Jamie Oliver literature in the house but sure I can improvise. Just need a free day to do it now as I'm sure it will take me a while. Seals etc. Have arrived so I'm ready to go

Also Do I use side stand or centre stand when jacking up the front??

Successfully??

I have a normal scissor car jack that fits in the spare, I don't have a trolley jack though

Been quoted around £200. I have seals, covers and oil on order. Willing to give it a go myself but will need a way of lifting front end of bike.

Tried a sealmate shortly after MOT didn't really help unfortunately

So 4 to 5 weeks ago I had my MOT and was given an advisory for slight oil misting on the stanchions. Had a look today and found there is quite a bit more oil present. http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/Fork%20Right.jpg http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy283/martash2009/Fork%20Left.jpg Time to replace the seals?

Well done on the pass, a great feeling