Anyone Ever Use Seal Mate? : Technical Tips, Tricks & Maintenance
Have a leaky seal – noticed oil around some small tears in my fork boot and then noticed it was dripping down the fork. Was thinking I need to completely rebuild shocks – about 12K on bike and I ride extremely hard but only weigh 170 lbs.
Anyhoo…I saw something called Seal Mate on eBay. Anyone ever use this? For under $10 I think I have to try it…but was interested to see in anyone used with success on the DR?
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 2:36 am Posts: 2527 Location: Milwaukee, WI
interesting and simple. Similar to using the old 35mm film negative trick to clean and reset the seals. Not bad, especially for the price. I may have to pick up a coulple for that cheap price to throw into the tool tube.
_________________ Lead me not into temptation, cuz I will just pass you in the corner..Or tip over trying.
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2011 12:05 pm Posts: 443 Location: southern PA
If the seal thing or 35mm film don't fix it you'll need to put new seals in the forks. I would recommend OEM seals and don't forget new bushings while you are at it, also buy a seal driver.
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:20 am Posts: 133 Location: Nor Cal
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Yeah, my impulsiveness sucks, I ordered 2, not bad for under $10 shipped.
Funny! Hope they work for you! With that price really who cares!?
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These work, as does the film. Definitely a good thing to try IMO before tearing the forks apart to fix.
Thanks for the endorsement, I called my local shop here and they have them in stock so think I'll run over grab on and give it a whirl.
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If the seal thing or 35mm film don't fix it you'll need to put new seals in the forks. I would recommend OEM seals and don't forget new bushings while you are at it, also buy a seal driver.
Yeah, part of me just wants to do this to freshen up the forks and great excuse to upgrade springs – I just don't have the extra time and money right now so hoping this gets me through maybe until Winter?
Also, another question – regarding oil leakage – hard to say how much but definitely oozing down the fork and some real small pool at caliper – how much oil can I lose and still be ok?
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:20 am Posts: 133 Location: Nor Cal
Quick update, finally got around to working on my forks today with the Seal Mate. Had pretty good leak down left fork with small puddle on garage floor after 2 weeks of sitting .
After using the Seal Mate and pumping the forks as hard as I could for 30 seconds or so three or four times… I don't see any oil coming out any longer. Haven't been out riding yet…hoping it's all fixed…will provide an update later.
Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2010 2:20 am Posts: 133 Location: Nor Cal
Sorry been busy and forgot to provide an update for this.
Used the seal mate on my fork and it really did work well. I put it through the ringer on one ride shortly after and did have a wee bit o oil leaking but nuthin compared to what was coming out before. I need to rebuild the forks and nothin's gonna fix it right except that but it did really help and will get me through the Summer!
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