2nd Generation Fork Seal Driver

[El Canadiense]

What size fork seal driver is used to do 2009+ VMax fork seals? Mine are not leaking but I figured it would be good to have the fork seal driver handy eventually. Are there any other special tools needed to make the job easier? I have chased down every possible angle or word phrase that I could think and only found one post who even mentions needing fork seals replaced. Having owned a 1st Gen and a bunch of FJs and an FJR and rebuilt forks, it is starting to seem like the 2nd Gens never leak. Hmmmmm. Seems weird.

 

[El Canadiense]

Seriously ... nobody has done forks on a 2nd Gen yet?

 

[one2dmax]

They are more involved then normal forks.

 

[El Canadiense]

Did you need any other tools? What did you use for a seal driver? Is it a 52 mm?

 

[El Canadiense]

Luckily, found a 52mm seal driver from Yamaha in a sealed bag on ebay.

 

[Traumahawk]

I have all of the seals etc on hand to do mine, just havent done them yet. They arent leaking, just got a good deal on everything, so I stocked up.

 

[ShawnD]

They are more involved then normal forks.

Sean, have you got into the cartridge valves? Wondering if those are rebuildable. Can't find anything aftermarket to get replacement parts...not even springs.

 

[one2dmax]

I haven't messed with them yet?

 

[ShawnD]

Found this... Wilbers Suspension Manufaktur | VMX-17 1700 VMax | RP21 | purchase online
Wilbers has a 1kg spring that I might try out. I have a question about disassembly though...once the fork cap is removed from the damper rod, does the spacer, spring seat & spring come out?

 

[ShawnD]

Got the springs today. Getting them apart is pretty complicated but not overly difficult. Ran into an issue though...they're 10 inches long, stock is just a bit over 8 1/2". Taking the fork cap off was easy...hold the locknut at the bottom & use the preload adjuster to break loose. Once the cap is off, the locknut comes off & there is a sleeve over the damping rod adjuster that slides off. The problem is with the longer fork spring, that sleeve is too long. Wilbers told me the only adjustments to be made is with oil level...I re-use the stock spacers, no cutting. I don't see how that is possible & it seems obvious that it has to be cut. Even with that though, I don't see compressing the fork cap another 35 mm going very well.

 

[02GF74]

Even with that though, I don't see compressing the fork cap another 35 mm going very well.

The spring rate shown for one of them is 10,0 N/mm so you are looking at a force of 35 kg to compress them just to get the cap on - dunno but that feels like quite a lot to me - my gut feeling is that I would have expected "gentle persuasion2 to get the cap back on so say so 1/10 of that but ????

 

[ShawnD]

The spring rate shown for one of them is 10,0 N/mm so you are looking at a force of 35 kg to compress them just to get the cap on - dunno but that feels like quite a lot to me - my gut feeling is that I would have expected "gentle persuasion2 to get the cap back on so say so 1/10 of that but ????

Exactly what I was thinking...these will be going back to Wilbers.

 

[ShawnD]

Okay, apparently there is a difference in the fork springs between 09-16 & 17-20 vmax....thought this bike was unchanged from 09-20??? I'm guessing the length is the difference. Anybody interested in 1kg springs? They're stiffing me for 25% restocking fee & return postage is on me too. Wished I could have reached through the phone & bitch-slapped the prick giving attitude about it being my mistake.

 

[Jaketheone46]

Okay, apparently there is a difference in the fork springs between 09-16 & 17-20 vmax....thought this bike was unchanged from 09-20??? I'm guessing the length is the difference. Anybody interested in 1kg springs? They're stiffing me for 25% restocking fee & return postage is on me too. Wished I could have reached through the phone & bitch-slapped the prick giving attitude about it being my mistake.

I have a leak on my right side fork that I’ve stopped by using a seal cleaning tool but I noticed a scratch on my tube that appears to goes through the black surface coating. It’s behind the short bug guard so you can’t see it and I’m not even sure it would be a problem with new seals but I was trying to look up the part I would need to just replace that black coated inner fork tube. Looking at the parts diagram it shows it like the tube is 2 pieces?? Very confusing so I don’t know for sure what I need. Usually you have an outer and inner fork tube, this appears to show a 2 piece inner and then the outer. Has anyone else seen the part diagram? I basically need an inner fork tube. Or maybe the scratch will be ok hopefully. I’m assuming the part number I need is 2s3-23110-01-00

 

[ShawnD]

Looking at the parts diagram it shows it like the tube is 2 pieces?? Very confusing so I don’t know for sure what I need.

That isn't two pieces...parts diagrams will do this sometimes to avoid having to show the entire piece so it fits on a page. It's part #2 & 23 on ronayers fische & I think it is what you need too. As far as replacing it or not, I'd give it a few rides & see if it leaks fluid.

 

[ShawnD]

Just to be clear, towards the bottom of the image, part #2 & 23, right?

https://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/yam/5626465387a86602c84a3186/front-fork

 

[DRWard]

After looking at several post on Gen 2 front fork seals, I thought I would share my experience. I have a 2018 with only 4000 miles. It was leaking on left front, not sure why, no wheelies, always garage kept, so I tried the seal saver option. It might have improved a bit, but not enough to stop flowing.
Reviewed service manual and because I'm a bit of a tool nerd so I ordered the damper holding tool and seal driver, plus the parts. The seal driver really helped. It is the 52mm one not the one shown in service manual. I think the service manual one is 48mm.
The damper holder did not work for my 2018. As mentioned in some post above, I think they have changed a few parts inside. Damper is one of them.
The special tool measures a bit over 26mm in the opening. My damper measures 32mm and is a rounded square shape. The tabs on the tool could not slide over it.

As Sean Morley stated above, there are A LOT of parts in the Gen 2 forks. He pictured them above. I have enclosed a few pictures of mine disassembled. The other parts I noticed were different were the seal snap retaining ring, my is more square then round.
As stated, the damper is a different shape and size. Mine is taperd on the bottom end. The piece that goes on the bottom of damper is different. Mine is yellow plastic with a spring inside it.
I have numbered my parts compared to the service manual, pg 4-70, 71.

I was able to disassemble the fork using an air tool on the bottom 8mm bolt like several folks have posted. But I would like to have to damper tool that fits my damper 2017-2020??
(Not sure on this part or part number). I might just fabricate one for next time.

Overall it went smooth, I definitely would do it again when needed. I would just say, Lots a pieces to remove and disassemble. Take your time and pay attention. The service manual helped with disassemble, assembly, oil level and adjusting rebound/ stiffness after repair.

I hope this helps.