[Phatswalla]

How much oil buildup on the stanchions is too much?
There's enough of a buildup on the stanchions so that if I were to wipe one of them off with my hand, I can definately smell oil on my hand. They feel a little bit slick from the oil but there's probaly not more than a drop or two on them. However, there's no oil oozing out or anything like that. I do regular oil changes (2x a season) but it's a 2001 'zoke and I've never replaced the seals. I just ordered some Enduros...time for seal changes?

 

[SwisSlesS]

Sounds like you probably have a blown seal. Is there any oil dripping down the backs of the legs? If so, then they're definitely blown, or at least leaking. In either case, they would need to be replaced.

 

[oldfart]

That's normal. There shouldn't be visible oil unless there is a foam element soaked in oil under the wiper and above the seal as in Rock Shox, Fox etc. But a thin film is to be expected. But after a couple seasons it might be a good preventative measure to replace the seals. Depends how many days on them and what kind of crap they've been dealing with.

 

[sub6]

I replace seals when the oil starts to drip down the leg.

If you're getting buildup on the stanchions, you can pull the lowers off, and wipe off the oil seals. Sometimes, dirt builds up on the seal and that lets oil go by. If they leak when clean though, then it's new-seal-time.

 

[dangitboy]

Think Im just gonna get a whole new fork!

 

[Phatswalla]

Thanks guys. The seals came last night and I was bored so I just did the swap. There was definately no oil dripping before...I think they were just barely starting to let some oil by.
The Enduros rock though, stanchions have no oil buildup on them anymore. They're really tight right now but I probably just have to break them in. Awesome for $20 shipped.

 

[dangitboy]

Congrats...hope they work out 4 ya!