Fork Seals

[sharpshooter]

I was wondering how difficult it is to change seals out on a fork, i have a nixon super 145 and the lbs said that its a good idea to change seals every year. I am skeptical about changing them, as i don't want to ruin the fork because i didn't do it correctly

[rockyrider]

It's not that hard, although you need a proper flat profile large socket to loosen the top caps, a standard socket is beveled and won't fit the low height flats on the caps. It tends to be messy to disassemble as the thin oil gets everywhere when you first take it apart and drain it out of the fork legs. You also need something that can measure out the exact amount of fork oil when you're re-assembling it, and you need the right weight of fork oil.


Here's the Manitou manual (http://www.hbsuspension.com/guides/Forks/2005/2005%20Nixon%20Service%20Manual.pdf?cvar 1=3%2F18%2F2007+1%3A52%3A41+PM)

Enduro Fork Seals have some other pictorials (http://www.enduroforkseals.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/minute1web_b.pdf) on the Manitou forks (which are all similar in the general way they come apart).

Then again, most shops don't charge that much for a basic fork cleaning and installation of new seals.

[tryandgetme]

just a hint, if you can, take a measurement of how far the oil is from the top of the fork leg after you pull the top cap off. it's sometimes easier to refill with a ruler than finding something to accurately measure that.

go buy a $0.50 socket from harbour freight or something, grind the bevel off the bottom. I've had success with a large adjustable wrench (but came off with some corner mangling. I didn't care)

[bitchslapmadman]

not sure but the enduro seals may fit. The oil measuement should be done with a ruler. The old fluid may have seeped out or been the wrong height originally and you may be cloning the wrong oil height. Use the Manipoo book on oil heights and adjust for your weight by using denser oils ....5 weight for a lightweight and up to 10 for heavy riders.
hope that helps
madman

[B Rose]

A spoke with a cable donut on it is a very good way to make an adjustable dipstick to measure oil level. Enduro seals will void your warranty.

B "$0.02" Rose
www.shockspital.com

[bitchslapmadman]

warranty is a myth

[bitchslapmadman]

to be a total dweeb i will say....sell the nixon after repairing it and buy a real fork that doesn't dive and bob uncontrollably. A 66, any fox or the new rock shoxs. You will be sooo happy you dumped it.

[Jay13]

to be a total dweeb i will say....sell the nixon after repairing it and buy a real fork that doesn't dive and bob uncontrollably. A 66, any fox or the new rock shoxs. You will be sooo happy you dumped it.

I second that. Dump the manitou crap. I purchased a Marz 66 last fall and it is the best thing that ever happened to my bike. God I love that fork...:D