Older SR Suntour fork

[buck91]

I'm a pretty comfortable bike mechanic but I'm a good couple years outside of the shop scene. Currently fixing up a 2008 Trek MT220 for my son (its a 24 inch wheel kids bike). Bike has a Suntour M2015 suspension fork on it thats in overall good shape, the only problem is the dust seals are shredded. No idea why because the fork isn't overly weathered and even the plastic stanchion bushings are nice and tight. Problem is that Suntour doesn't offer service parts for this fork due to age and they recommend replacement. I'd rather not sped $70 on a brand new kids bike fork. Sure I could put a rigid on there for a wee bit less but this thing should work just fine once I put it all back together with fresh grease.... and new seals.

Any ideas for replacement seals? They aren't pressed in, the lowers actually have a little spring retainer for them so I doubt aftermarket is much option even if I could find some this small.. Maybe a fork boot like Lizard Skins makes would be good enough? I don't know...

 

[Kamele0N]

Ebay?

 

[jcartwright99]

I would guess you are going to be out of luck unless you scavenge. Ebay would probably be your best bet. Parts for old suspensions, even higher end adult ones, can be hard to find.

 

[buck91]

Well good news! The dust covers were shot but the actual wiper/seal portion of both are in fabulous condition. Looks like a factory defect, the right bushing wasn't fully seated and didn't allow the wiper to fully seat. This explains why it was dislodged. Now its all back together and lubed with Slick Honey. Tons of stiction, though. I have some SuperLube silicon oil wiped on the stanchion/seal area and we will see if that helps.

 

[tcp71]

had that fork on our kid's 24" ghost. The fork will get sticky quite often and stop functioning. slick honey might be a bit viscous. I used to run 30wht fork oil down the stanchions, which would hold things for a couple of weeks.

 

[IndyIan]

I've heard of using condoms as dust boots and zip ties to replace/help a dust seal but I suppose an old inner tube would work too.

 

[NYEngineer]

Maybe Enduro Fork Seal makes something you could get to work. If not, inner tube and zip ties or Lizard Skins seems like a great idea.

Back when my son was on a 24" bike, I used a 26" fork. No shortage of them on Ebay and it actually worked. My other favorite workaround is a rigid fork with a plus sized tire but 24" is tough to find anything. Scott and Cannondale make some stuff but it's WAY more than 70 bucks for a new springer fork.