disassembling front forks

[darryl L]

One of the rubber seals on my forks had lifted and with there being a gap, dirt and crap got inside so i decided to take them apart to clean.

I didn't realise the extent of how much crap had got inside and i am now wondering how i get it all out from the inside of the lowers on my forks.

i don't want to start using anything untill i know it's safe and isn't going to damage the forks and i haven't even disassembled forks before let alone clean the insides but i didn't realise how easy it was to get them apart.

To round it all up, what would you recommend to clean them with and what should i use to grease them up again after they are nice and clean?

thank you in advance!

[Rupert]

Assuming that they are completely disassembled and you are just dealing with the bare lowers and stanchions then normal degreaser and maybe even some water should do the trick, as long as you dry them out really well afterwards. What to "lube them up with" is very specific to the forks - what forks are they?

Grease is often the worst thing you can use as it causes all the grit to stick to the uppers and then they will wear the uppers and seals in double quick time.

[darryl L]

yeah there disassembled. rst gila t5's

i know what you mean about the grease, all the grease that was inside the lowers originally has made the dirt clump up and its a nightmare to get out.

was thinking a bottle brush to try and remove as much as i can then try and rinse the rest with water.

when they are dry should i grease them back up or would it be best to leave them.

the forks arent worth much i know but its all ive got at the moment so i want to try and make them last

thank you