Fork seal repair

[MEL]

Seals started leaking againn on the 95 K1100 LT. Decided to replace with 59,000 miles on the odo. Have Works Performance springs coming as well. took the sliders off on Saturday as it was finallly warm here in KS. Bushings look like they need done as well.  I will pick them up in KC on Wednesday.So now the question, and yes I have searched this forum and others for how to do this. Seems to get conflicting information on this subject. My question is I have read that the stanchions on 91 and later forks have to come out of the triple tree to be replaced because of the bushings. The sliders came off easy enough (once I broke the allen bolt at the bottom loose) with the stanchions in place. I am curious as to any experience in doing it one way or the other. I have the sliders apart and cleaned up ready to go back on this weekend (hopefully). I realize taking the stanchions out and off at this point isnt that huge of a deal but I see no real reason that they would have to unless I am  missing something obvious here. Can I assemble the sliders and reinstall on the stanchions?

Any thoughts or better yet experience is appreciated. I jsut want to do this once and install gaiters and then RIDE..........

Thanks
Mike

[mystic red]

I always left them on, even when I did springs.....

[MEL]

Good to know Scott...I am leaning that way myself...any particular precautions you took? Did you use Works Performance springs?

[mystic red]

Nope.....yep.

[Scott_]

I've done both ways, and when I left the stanchions in the tripple tree, I had trouble with the seal inner lip folding over(unknown at the time of install) on the bushing when re-installing the lowers and they leaked about 1 year later.

When I pulled the stanchions out of the tree, and slid the seal over the entire length of the upper stanchion, I've had no leakage going on over 2yrs now.

BTW, it's also easier to install a set of gaiters with them out of the tree.... :2thumbup:
Also, don't mess with generic seals... spend the little extra and get the BMW oem seals. BTDT too and the cheapo's won't fit.

My $.02  YMMV....

[552255]

I think it was easier for me to pull them out of the triple tree for access, cleaning etc.  I wasted money on the "cheapo" seals that were too thick...(although I wonder if you could use them, leaving that goofy spring clip--that's so hard to remove--out) but who wants to go through it all again.  I have no leaks after pulling them, using OEM seals, bushings, and installling the aftermarket off road gaiters, going on two years.   I also once, took a feeler gauge and gently ran it under the seal, 'fishing' out the gunk...have had no problems.  Good Luck!

[MEL]

Well thanks for the heads up on the seals.... I had seen that before on this forum and had bought BMW seals when I got the bike last fall. Definatly need the gaitors as I ride 3 miles of gravel roads to the highway each day I ride. 

[MEL]

All done and it was pretty easy....Thanks to this forum and members for the knowledge...

[staffordworks]

just in case someone else comes along this thread.... try sealmate on your seals before replacing, i rode with leaking seals for a year because I could not afford to have them replaced $5 piece of plastic (that you could easily make yourself) popped some dirt out of the seal and it was fine, no need to replace.  (naturally my rear then immediately blew out so back to the drawing board, murphy's law, ugh)