[Sandwich]

I picked up an older 888 as I'm on a budget and I want a 8" fork that works. It came with a small stanchion scratch on the compression side, and it leaks pretty badly from that seal when compressed. I picked up some JB weld to do the fix, but when I look at the scratch, it's so minor that I wonder if it's worth the effort. There are no burrs and it's maybe 0.5mm deep. I can feel it with my finger nail but that's about it. I know the 888 is an open bath fork, so that might make it prone to leaking more (or make leaking more of a concern) but I'm more worried in my ability to fix it right (ie make it larger/raised) compared to just leaving it. The fork could use new seals and wipers anyways, but I don't know if it's just old or chewed up from the scratch.

 

[RUFUS]

A little clear nail polish and seals/wipers, and you are good to go.

 

[was?]

not on topic, but somewhat related, a normal human is able to feel a difference of 1/10mm in elevation at his fingertips on a plane surface.

will it leak?
i don't know.

 

[Deano]

sounds like its the seals/wiper that need a change.

Ive had some fairly deep scratches in my inners a few times, and no leaks ever, unless there was a burr grinding and cutting up the seals. as long as its fairly smooth when you run your finger over it, it should be good.

THe forks ive had these scratches in have been both the new dorado, and older (2008/9) 888 RC3.

 

[Sandwich]

yeah, there's no burrs but there's the slightest indentation. I imagine it would pick up oil and "let it out" as it cycles through, but I can't really see it chewing up the seal, since it's relatively insignificant. Hmmm...

 

[Sandwich]

A little clear nail polish and seals/wipers, and you are good to go.

You like nail polish better than JB weld? I've heard nail polish is less permanent and may fall out. I'd like to do this once...

 

[was?]

a zeropointsomething thick layer of whatever may not be durable. my best bet would be something like superglue/instant adhesive.

 

[Huck Banzai]

What year fork is it? If its the 08-current design, make sure the bad stantion is on the spring side, and its much less of an issue.

Some kind of epoxy, not JB weld, not nail polish (it will fall off/out unless it has something to really 'grab')

also, how high up the stantion is the nick?

 

[Jim Mac]

To be uber cheap, you could also rotate the fork leg away from the point where the seal might have been weakened.

 

[Sandwich]

eh, I think something is wrong with the seal in general since it weeps from every side, not just where the scratch is.

It's an 05 RC, and it's 2 inches above the seal on the compression side.

 

[William42]

you'll be fine. Marzo uses bitching seals. based on what you've described, its probably ~99.7% cosmetic, and .3% functional. You will probably have to deal with replacing the seals in ~10 years, because once they get hard with old age it'll be a problem.

 

[Sandwich]

On that note, are they that much better than enduros, which are $10 cheaper?

the scratches in question

 

[Huck Banzai]

As long as the edges are deburred/leveled, they will only carry oil out/dirt in, and shouldnt abuse the seals and wipers.

filling it will keep the oil cleaner, but isnt absolutely nec. Esp on an MZ, just change the oil 2x a year instead of 1x.

 

[William42]

yes, they are that much better. enduros are just cheap catalog seals. They're nothing special. marzo seals are really nice. Its worth 10 bucks.

 

[staike]

Fill with some nail polish and use some 1200-2000 grit sandpaper to smooth it out. I've done it myself and it's really easy. No excuse why you shouldn't do it.

 

[Sandwich]

yes, they are that much better. enduros are just cheap catalog seals. They're nothing special. marzo seals are really nice. Its worth 10 bucks.

Thank you. Will do.

I'm going to use the jb weld I bought and try it. It's not worth not doing, I think. I hear 2000 grit wet sandpaper will take down the weld but not the stanchion....will post results?

 

[SLOPE]

I'm curious how this turns out, I have to do this myself soon.

 

[staike]

I used 1200 and had to pay attention so I didn't made further marks in the stanchions. 2000 should be good.

 

[William42]

honestly if there aren't any burrs i wouldn't bother, just feel for sharp edges

 

[Optimax150]

I used a scotchbrite pad with a half moon file on the back side. It took down the rough edges but didn't damage the stanchion. I was going to use fingernail polish to fill it in but it wasnt deep enough. So I just used a black marker to blend it in.

 

[Jm_]

Nail polish lasts a day or two of riding, that's about it. Sand down the burrs, usually there's no problem, a deep gouge can benefit from JBweld or some kind of epoxy, then it's a game of fine grit nail-sanders (get at local supermarket).

 

[Sandwich]

Whelp, it turns out this stupid thing is a 170 and not a 200mm 888. It's either going back or getting sold off to W00dy. I was going to give it a go and take some photos, but i'd rather have my money back to spend on other frivolous crap.