:)Hi
I've got an oil leak from one of my front forks. It is not from the drain plug but appears to be from one of spindle cap bolts. Investigation is still inconclusive.
I've never heard of a leak at this point, but on the basis that anything is possible?????? has anyone else. If so how did you fix it??
Mike 8)
If they are damper rod forks then the leak could be from the socket cap bolt which goes through the bottom lug to fix the damper rod. Sealed by a copper washer.
Hi Thanks for reply
The fork slider is part No 42.5142. I can only think that at some stage in its life someone may have drilled out a broken stud or drilled through to use an "easy out" and gone too far.
All ideas or assist welcome. Must confess that I don't really want to strip it all down if someone out there has an answer.
Mike 8) 8)
Could you bung it up with liquid steel and put the stud back in. Obviously it's got to be verrry clean first.
Thinking about it, why not just screw it in with PTFE tape wrapped round the stud, wind it on clockwise. Cost about £1.50 a roll from the DIY shop.
:) :)
Thanks for that. Been down the PTFE route but not successful. I am considering: - Drain it completely then big swishy clean with petrol. Then I'll cut a rubber bung a bit oversize and force it up the hole with the normal bolt. Maybe smear it with Araldite first. If I do that I'll probably need to carefully tap(clean) the thread out afterward.
Any ideas
Alternative----braze studs in but don't want to go that route.
Mike 8) 8)
If a spindle cap bolt is the main suspect, have you tried taking each of the two bolts out in turn and then see what happens when you pump the front forks hard. If one of he threaded holes is leaking, the high oil pressure created should produce a considerable leak from the affected hole.
If this is the cause of the problem then the only way of solving the problem may be to take off the fork leg and remove the lower slider - it doesn't take that much effort to do this. It will then depend on precisely what the damage is as to what the best solution is.
What is crossing my mind is that the stud is going in and out several times of late and may cause more wear to the threads. A good clean with petrol and carb cleaner and glue it in with the best metal glue on the market.
:)
The idea to take the cap off etc is now gonna be my next move. I shall also start looking for a new?? slider
Mike 8) 8)
What year, left or right. I will have a look round as well.
Quote from: Mike Farmer on 13 May, 2018, 17:02
:)
The idea to take the cap off etc is now gonna be my next move. I shall also start looking for a new?? slider
Mike 8) 8)
With the slider removed, I'm sure any leak will be reparable - just need to establish exactly what's causing any leak. As you indicated, if someone has drilled too far trying to extract a sheared bolt they could well have penetrated all the way into the inside of the slider. It might be possible to seal any hole with stick welding. Otherwise, it should be possible to solve the problem by screwing in a thin (~1/4") metal plug (sawed off the bottom of a bolt) with a slot cut in it to take a screw driver. You can seal it with Si or thread lock. There's probably 1" of thread in the cap and reducing this to 3/4" because of the plug shouldn't be a problem.
Hi :)
Thanks for all your efforts and advice. I gave a great deal of consideration to each.
Situ now:- I have taken out bolts and endcaps, drained the leaking side (only a piddling drop of oil came out and I on;ly refilled it last week) and put some air pressure into it. No apparent air blow. Poured about 1/4 pt petrol down No leak. Re pressurised it No blow. Probed with .6mm wire no apparent hole. So don't have a clue.
Action taken:- I rolled up a ball of ptfe larger than the bolt diameter and pushed it up inside all 4 holes, forced it hard in with cap bolts. Then used a swathe of ptfe around each bolt, refilled the leg and quit for the day
Let you know
Mike 8) 8)
When I rebuilt my forks I thought I had a leak from a stud, transpired it was the drain plug and the oil slid round to the stud. I had not nipped up the screw enough.
Just a thought, you could try some antifreeze. I remember a motor repairer telling me that it has a fluorescent dye in it that will show up under an inspection lamp. This helps them check for leaks when underneath the car in a dark backstreet garage for instance. Just dont mistake it for your mug of tea!
Chris
:)
Good idea. I never thought of anti freeze. I use Ardrox which is specific to crack detection. I don't think I would have been able to use it in that particular area. BUT if I'd had a sensible head on at least I might have tried.
Thanks for that something good to remember.
Mike 8) 8)
:)
I honestly don't know what I have cured but it aint leaking anymore.(Yet????). So I think I can put this saga to bed.
Thanks for all the interest and advice, much of which may have other future applications, eg using anti freeze for leak testing.
So I'll let you know if it starts to leak agen.
Take care.
Mike 8) 8)