Why Is My Mtb Fork Leaking Oil? (Beginners Guide)

Your Mtb Fork doesn’t necessarily need to leak oil frequently for you to lose it because whenever it does, it stresses you.

With such issues in mind, you’d be excited to learn that there are ways to prevent your Fork from leaking. I’ll show you factors that can cause your Fork to leaks and ways to fix it.

Your Mtb Fork leaks oil if the Seal gets loose from wear and tear, debris-trapping, aging, or fork tube malformations. However, you won’t notice the first time it leaks because oil is transparent, but when it attracts dirt, it becomes noticeable. Hence, the first time you notice the leak isn’t the actual time it’s starting to leak.

What Can Cause Your Mtb Fork to Leak Oil?

Several reasons can cause your Mtb Fork to leak oil ranging from the least to the most complex. Either way, give it prompt attention when you notice the leak so it doesn’t escalate into a bigger problem.

#1. Wear and Tear

Your Mtb Fork Seal would wear and tear because it works hard, especially when riding off-road.

While you ride on dirty and muddy roads, the Mtb Fork works extra to keep you stable while cycling.

Hence, it’d be ideal that you regularly service your fork seal and change the oil to prevent it from wearing.

The best time for a service is 40 hours after every ride or a two-yearly replacement.

#2. Debris-trapping

Your Mtb Fork would leak oil if debris clogs the Seal and holds it open for a long time. This issue happens when you ride off-pavement in dirty and sandy zones, allowing dirt to get into the Seal.

To avoid this, you must always clean your seals after every dirt or mud ride.

Failure to regularly check and clean your Fork seal may get it leaking oil and displace the debris.

#3. Mtb Inner Tube Imperfection

When the sand and other waste enters the Fork Seal, it might go into the inner tubes, cause scratches, and subsequently cause damage.

This issue would result in oil leaking from the Seal even before the issue of wear and tear emerges.

And so, it’s imperative to get a professional who’d check and exclude these factors as a cause of the oil leak.

#4. Tie-down straps

When you tie down your Mtb Fork, especially when transporting your bike, there arises an extension of pressure.

This pressure adds more stress on the Fork seals resulting in damage which you see as leakage of oil.

How Can You Fix a Leaking Mtb Fork?

To fix your leaking Mtb Fork, you can replace or repair it by tackling the underlying problem.

Deciding to replace your Mtb Fork will depend on the extent of damage and your preference.

Before I discuss the cost of replacing an Mtb Fork, let’s discuss how you can repair it.

#1. Clean the Dust From Underneath the Cover

Carefully uncover the Fork seal with a screwdriver and use a cotton swab or clean linen to wipe the dirt. Then, install back the Seal and see if it still leaks. In most cases, this process does the trick.

If that doesn’t help, take a flexible thin object like a camera film and slide it underneath the lip of the Seal.

Doing this trick would eliminate all the dirt that didn’t go out when using the cotton swab.

However, the disadvantage is that it can drive all or parts of the debris into the suspension system. That effect would cause more damage and result in more oil sipping out.

#2. Seal Doctor

The seal doctor effectively removes dirt from the Seal and prevents it from dislodging into the suspension.

Also, it comes with teeth directly at the opposite ends to ensure easy use, even with inexperienced hands.

Hence, this tool will always save you from aborting your ride, especially when on track.

What Is the Cost of Replacing a Leaking Mtb Fork?

The cost of replacing a leaking Fork can be as low as $50 up to $500, depending on several factors.

#1. Expert Level

The expertise you seek influences the amount of money you get to spend in trying to fix your Fork. For example, visiting a dealership would cost you a lot.

However, you will be spending less than $200 when you get help from a local garage.

#2. Doing It Yourself (DIY)

Fixing an Mtb Fork is something that you can do with less stress only if you go the right way. When you decide to DIY, you’ll save the labor cost of paying a professional to do the job.

Hence, all you’ll worry about is the cost of getting the parts and all the specialized tools, for instance, the seal doctor.

#3. Seal Brand

The price of getting a new seal depends on the brand of the bike you ride and where you’re buying.

Again, it is because the straight-from-the-factory price is higher when you compare it with an aftermarket price. Even so, the cost of new seals ranges from $30 to $100, with an average of about $50.

What’s more, the time you spend doing this relies on how good you are with bikes and the availability of working tools.

Whatever the case, it takes about six to eight hours to finish fixing a leaking fork seal.

What Makes Your Fork Still Leak after Fixing?

It can be very frustrating that you still get a leaking Fork after trying out all possible methods. So it’d be best to figure out the problem and find a quick solution.

#1. Not a Clean-enough Fork

A fork that isn’t clean enough will still leak oil because all it takes is just a little dust to misbehave.

Recheck and properly clean your Fork seal to avoid this. Also, make sure to wipe off dirt after every ride.

#2. Poor Installation

The sharp edges of the Fork can tear the seal lips during installation, especially when someone who isn’t an expert does it. This issue will result in oil leakage, although you just got a new seal.

#3. Sand In Chrome

When sand gets into the chrome under the Seal, it leaves scratches resulting in an oil leak. Often, this problem doesn’t stop even after you remove the sand. So, in such a case, you’d have to change the chrome beneath the Seal.

#4. Hauling Differently

Avoid looking for alternating ways when transporting your bike rather than a tie-down. This way, you’ll reduce the amount of pressure that reaches the Fork.

Conclusion

Having your Mtb Fork constantly leaking oil is challenging, especially when it happens while you’re on a trail.

However, the good news is that it’s avoidable with regular servicing every 40 hours after cycling. Anyhow, in a case where it happens, ensure to have it checked by an expert.

Author
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Josh Matthews

Born in the 80's and raised on the plains at the foot of the Colorado mountains. I went to the University of Denver before giving 100 percent to my passion: outdoor cycling. That's the reason I created this website : I love speaking and sharing about my hobbies. I also travel around the world and really like alternate travelling ways like RV or kayak.

Why Is My Mtb Fork Leaking Oil? (Beginners Guide)