[Alimander]

I'm having a similar issue with fork oil leaking, but its not a bad seal...its a significant pressure build up in the fork (rebound leg). I slide a thin plastic card between the seal and the fork to clean out what I thought was dirt, and a BUNCH of pressure was released. The seal appears to be fine, but over time I'm getting a significant pressure build up and the fork does not have a bleeder screw on top so eventually is has to escape somewhere. Anyone have any insight into what I should do?

 

[Alimander]

I tried that first. I did have a bunch of air come out. But still have a leak. Just slower than it was. I must have has almost a 1/4 cup of oil come out on the first leak.

Sometimes a grain of sand or something gets stuck between the seal and the fork. Pry down the wiper with a flat blade screw driver and take a business card the stick a corner in between the seal and the shaft and run it all the way around. Sometimes that stops a leak.

 

[Alimander]

I would assume that. I'm hoping someone else will join in and see if they have a solution to the pressure build up. For me, I'm about 90% that I'm going to buy the Xplorer Pro 270mm suspension anyway. I'm not a fan of the stock. I ride almost exclusively in the dirt.

 

[Alimander]

If you have the expedition with Xplor forks, you would be wise to install push button bleeds. They are about $30, but you can push them while you ride and can relieve pressure several times a day if you are riding tough stuff. If you are diligent at it, you will most likely never need fork seals until you decide to change oil.

 

[Alimander]

For those of you who ride almost exclusively offroad, I put on a set of Xplor Pro's. OMG what a difference...but they are about $6500 so not a cheap date. But you can move them from bike to bike, so its a one time investment.

 

[Alimander]

Call Slavens Racing in Colorado Springs. They have them. Tell them your bike and they will ship you the right ones. Everyone there are real rides/racers. Extremely knowledgeable.

 

[Alimander]

Also Xplor and Xplor pro have different bleeders. The pro’s have a large diameter thread

 

[Alimander]

Crazy difference huh? The people that say their standard suspension is good enough obviously never tried the pro components.

Most likely they are riding nother harder than a gravel road. It you are really charging thru more demanding trails, the Apex just isn’t good enough. I was blowing fork seals every 500 miles. The Pro is a hole different ball game!

 

[Alimander]

The Xplor suspension is very good. Its what on my Husky TE300. If I had that I would not have upgraded. I had apex. And yes, just like any good suspension, you need it set up for your weight, riding style, and what you ride. Carls Cycle in Boise did mine. And yes KYB is also very good…but that’s not a direct bolt in to a 901.

 

[Alimander]

2024 Norden 901 expedition. Leaking fork, right side after 5500km. Husqvarna rejected the warranty case. Ok, I'll do it but it seems like a pattern already.

Do you release the pressure from the forks after each ride? The Apex forks do not have this capability, but the Xplor forks do. Every time your forks go in, a microscopic amount of air can get pulled in and over time, pressure builds up inside the fork. When you get enough pressure, it has to escape and it will go past the fork seals and push out oil with it. Get some push button bleeders and that should solve your issue.

 

[Alimander]

wow.. first time I hear about it😨
Disassembly didn't reveal anything special. Indeed, it looks like one of the seals was just squeezed out. There was a little dirt but nothing serious.
The last ride was pretty hardcore, now I understand the meaning of the above, I'll take that into account.🤝

Slaven Racing in Colorado Springs has them on hand and you can order on line. They are about $25. The harder you ride the more air gets in and the more pressure builds up.