front fork leaking oil

[clsimmonsjr]

Noticed last night that the right front fork is leaking a little oil.  The question is should I go ahead and replace the seals in both or just the one. And what is a reasonable charge for this work?  It is a 99 IS that is triked.  Thanks for your help in advance!

[fudgie]

You could try the '35mm film trick'. Run a peice of film up and down under the seal to clean it out. Works for most on here.
My local little honda repair guy suggested doing both forks. I took them into him and with new seals and fluid it was right at $100 for both. Might as well go for the Progressive springs to since your in there.

[clsimmonsjr]

fudgie, would the progressive springs help out even though it is triked?

[Michvalk]

fudgie, would the progressive springs help out even though it is triked?

I'm not Fudgie, but, I think Progressives help no matter what. Just my own opinion.

[fudgie]

I say yes. You still run over alot of bumps with the front. They are cheap compared to the rears.

[Baloo]

I just did mine a few weeks ago... I would recommend replacing the seals on both sides, as if one side is bad, the other is probably near... While in there I replaced the bushings too. A worn bushing will cause the seal to wear out and start leaking back in no time. It is a job that you can do it yourself if you can use a wrench. I looks frightening, but it's really not that bad. That's what I found doing mine. If you don't replace the springs, you don't need any special tool. But if you do, you need a special socket for the LH side.

[clsimmonsjr]

the 35 mm film trick seems to have worked.  I had lost quite bit of fluid, do I need to replace it?  I know this is stupid but I'm not sure how.

[Gryphon Rider]

the 35 mm film trick seems to have worked.  I had lost quite bit of fluid, do I need to replace it?  I know this is stupid but I'm not sure how.

The service manual calls for fork oil to be added with a tolerance of ±2.5 mL (0.08 oz.)  I don't know how you could measure how much fluid you've lost, but if you've just noticed it a few days ago and assuming you haven't had it flowing down the fork, it can't be much.  If the front suspension stiffness and handling feel identical to before the leak, I wouldn't get excited about it.

[jimprojectmgr]

I had one of my front fork seal leaking for about two years. I finally got around to getting the seal replaced and new front Progressive springs. I chatted with the tech who was working on my bike and asked him how much fluid was left. He couldn't tell by the amount of oil that any had leaked. If I remember right, new front seals, front Progressive shocks and labor came out to around $350.00

[clsimmonsjr]

thanks everyone