How can you tell when it is time to replace your WP43 fork Bushings

[Zman]

I purchased this bike used and it came in boxes. It needed new fork seals and while I had it apart I questioned the bushings. They appear to have the teflon coating on the wear surfaces, but there is a little play in the larger one when it is on the fork tube. I was able to slide a 0.005" flat feeler gauge between the tube and larger bushing. I am trying to figure out how much play is too much?

 

[GMP]

What matters is how it fits when on the lower tube and pressd into the counterbore of the upper. This should always be a light press/tight slip fit when warm on WPs as they tend to be easy to R&R. If the dull green Teflon coating on the ID is still there you should be good, the OD is not the wear surface. If it really does not fit right then perhaps you got handed some crappy aftermarket bushings. I'm assuming that the anodizing on the counterbore is intact and the surface is not damaged.

 

[Zman]

The bore of the outer fork tube that receives / holds the bushing appears to be in good shape. I will see how they fit/feel when they are reassembled.The Teflon coating appears to be intact as shown in the picture above. Do they look ok?

 

[GMP]

From the pic they look good to me.

WP43s are probably the easiest USD fork to work on, with no special tools needed other than a seal/bushing driver. Download the shop manual from the "manuals, etc." tab on the main page if you have not done so.

 

[Zman]

Great! Thank you!