Originally Posted by Granpa

Since we're all seeming to focused on shocks right now, I've got a question. Every time I change shock oil or rebuild a set of shocks, the oil in the shock is almost black. If it were dirt working it's way up the shock shaft, wouldn't that wear to the o-ring very quickly???? Also wouldn't there be a wear spot on the shock shaft???? I usually have shocks go a year or more before replacing o-rings and the shock shafts show no appreciable wear.

One of the local gurus opined that it came from the shock body. Wasn't going to argue with him cause he's usually correct and has been doing this for a long time. Can't see how this would be, but it's hard to imagine that much dirt working it's way past the o-ring and the the plastic wiper.