Inner Tube/Top Bushing suppose to leak oil ?

[katanarider]

This is my first fork rebuild.
I installed the inner tube into the lower tube. Next, I tapped the inner tube top bushing in place. Third, I poured the correct amount of oil in the slider. Forth, I worked out all the air bubbles by pumping the inner tube. When pumping the inner tube I noticed the top bushing allows enough oil to pass which coats the inner tube/slider graciously (nice and wet). I also noticed the bushing seam bubble a couple times. Is this normal or should I replace the top bushing ? These bushings only have about 15K miles.
Thanks

[steves]

bushing without the seal? That's probably going to leak a little bit.

[katanarider]

Yes, bushing without a seal.
It just seems to me that it should be liquid tight. I mean, after hundreds of compression strokes where is all that oil suppose to go?
Maybe thats why the seals bust in the first place ?

[steves]

That's why there is air space volume in the fork and not just oil to the top of the leg.

[katanarider]

My mind is now thinking of ways to modifiy my lower/outter tube with a relief system.
Thanks for the the reply steves.

[Tmod]

Ok where is my at? I want to hear how this relief system works out.

Tmod

[katanarider]

Tmod, I'm glad you chimed in because you could give me your opinion.
So far, I'm thinking the big washer beneath the oil seal could be chamfered since its fairly thick. That would allow the oil between the seal and the washer to drain into the grove.
Next, grind a grove to the outter edge of that same washer which allows the oil to escape to the lower tube area.
Now, the problem is how to capture or recirculate the lose of oil.

What are you thoughts ?

[Tmod]

Tmod, I'm glad you chimed in because you could give me your opinion.
So far, I'm thinking the big washer beneath the oil seal could be chamfered since its fairly thick. That would allow the oil between the seal and the washer to drain into the grove.
Next, grind a grove to the outter edge of that same washer which allows the oil to escape to the lower tube area.
Now, the problem is how to capture or recirculate the lose of oil.

What are you thoughts ?

My thought is WTH ya trying to accomplish here? I see no reason to even attempt what you have in mind.

Tmod

[katanarider]

Thats why I said I"m glad you chimed in.
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about but it seems to me that when the inner tube/slider becomes wet with each compression stroke it pooling oil under the seal and causing the seals to leak.
My theory is to drain that pooled oil so the seal last longer.

[steves]

The seals leak because dust and dirt gets between the seal and the fork leg and causes the seal itself to get damaged, and in extreme cases the fork leg can get scored as well.

I wouldn't bother trying to re-engineer something that's been around for a 100 years.

You will get a slight amount of oil in the bushing, so what.

Fork seals pop from age and abuse.

[katanarider]

O.K, here goes nothing. Either it works or it doesn't. Only time will tell.
I'll start a new thread if I find good results but as far as this thread is concerned I'm moving on.
This is where I'm at.
I started with a 1/8" drill bit. I drilled a hole at the corner at the top of the lower fork tube where the large washer sits. I chose to drill the hole on the back side of the tube so when the forks are in the triple trees they are angled. The angle will allow oil to escape. I also found out a standard,everyday writing pen tube will fit inside the drain. This will allow me to add a tube so I can attach a catch can of some sort in the future.

As stated in a earlier post I thought I would need to champher the inner washer so oil would have a passage to follow. As it turns out there is enouph room there already. All that needs to be done now is grind down one side of the washer about 1mm-2mm to let oil escape. I'm only going to grind about a 1/4" of the surface, if even that much.

Here are my progress pictures.

[scottynoface]

Spend $300 to save $5...sounds like a great idea...

[05RedKat600]

So you made your forks leak on purpose???? WTF? Have fun riding down the road and running out of oil dood.

Not trying to be an ***, but you just ruined your springers. Weld that hole up and forget about it.

The only thing you're relieving is your forks of the oil they need to work right......and a nice seal for them to build pressure.

[Tmod]

Holy S**t I am speechless. Why in the world would someone do that to a perfectly good set of forks. I thought I had seen it all until this one.

Tmod

[katanarider]

We'll see.