Forks

[Howard]

When stripping down the forks on my A7 I noticed when I undid the Chrome Fork seal Holders there was something like Plumbers Hemp where the Lower Fork Leg Joins the Seal Holders, is it necessary to replace this ?

[Goldy]

No the seal should do it,s job. Check that the stanchions are not worn.

[MG]

I use Teflon tape, just to keep water out and my mind at peace.

[1660bob]

 Hi Howard, the hemp is there to seal the threads against oil weeping out of the fork. As the thread is below the oil seal,oil could find its way out there. Modern equivalent is a couple of turns of PTFE tape from your local  plumbers merchant/ B&Q. Bob.

[Howard]

Thanks for that, I didn`t think about using tread seal tape and I have a roll. Now that you mention it ,yes it would be below the seal,so I can see how oil could escape....so thanks for the tip.
Regards..Howard

[trevinoz]

Howard,
              Read the service sheet and you will see that the factory even recommended the type of string to use.
  Trev.

[olev]

O Rings ??

[bsa-bill]

O rings didn't work for me Olev, maybe poor quality though

Slim seal to go above the circlip that holds the top bush in is my thoughts but haven't found one yet

[orabanda]

The Aussie experts know best (again!).
I also prefer teflon (thread) tape. Cheap, easy to apply, and effective; and it is easy to break the seal when removing the seal holder.

Don't forget that there is a right or wrong way to apply PTFE tape; it needs to be wound ont the thread in the same direction as the fork seal holder (or fitting) screws, to avoid it being damaged (torn up) when installing.

Another application I use thread tape for, is to more effectively seal the oil inspection cap, and the primary case cap.

Make the tape narrow by doubling it over on itself, and put two turns on the cap thread.

This seems to make the caps seal, and keep the oil mist inside the tank, and engine.

Richard

[MG]

The Aussie experts know best (again!).

Hey, I was the first one to mention PTFE tape, and I'm no Aussie.
No kangaroos in Austria!!!  


Since I open the oil tank and primary cap quite often, I have found O-rings to work best for me on these. All is nice and oil tight and with the very little tightening torque required they won't get damaged, unlike in the forks.

Cheers, Markus

[trevinoz]

No kangaroos in Austria!!!

Want some?   They are in plague numbers here!  The roadsides are littered with them in their favourite crossing places as well as around the railway lines.
At least they are feeding the crows and eagles when they are knocked down and making plenty of work for panel beaters and mechanics.
I think it is only fair that Europe takes some kangaroos off our hands in repayment for the rabbits, hares, foxes etc. which have over run Australia!
Trev.

[MG]

hmm, interesting idea Trev, kangaroos and chamois jumping over snow covered mountainsides, I wonder whether they'd get along? 

[trevinoz]

MG,
               Kangaroos are typical Aussies, they get along with everyone!
Don't forget, we have snow covered mountains here also [you would probably call them hills] but I don't know whether the 'roos are silly enough to stay there in winter.
Then again they are silly enough to jump into the path of moving vehicles.
  Trev.