fork seal removal

[Guest]

Well I finally got the forks appart . You guys were right not as hard as it appeared to be. Now I just need to know the best way to get these stubborn fork oil seals out. I was reading in some past posts that people have bought a puller from their local automotive store. What would I ask for when I go in there?

[jwhelan65]

That would be a circlip pliers, you need to remove the clip first, than the seals come out fairly easy.

[Guest]

I got the clip out but the seals just dont seem to want to budge. I'm pretty sure they are the original seals.

[Guest]

I pried mine out.
Be carful.

[Steve]

Just treat the fork tubes like a slide hammer and extend them a fraction of an inch every time you slam them longer.

.

[Guest]

What happens if I already have the fork tube out?

[Guest]

Just treat the fork tubes like a slide hammer and extend them a fraction of an inch every time you slam them longer.

.

I know what you're thinking because I've done a few fork seals on different models. On this model the bottom comes out through the seal so you end up with the empty lower forks with the seal intact.

[Guest]

What happens if I already have the fork tube out?

Use a screwdriver and a piece of leather to protect the lower forks.

[rustybronco]

Work your way all around to loosen it up first; prying as you go. then pry harder in one spot. she'll go flying (don't forget to protect the tube!).

[chuck hahn]

Just to add to what Rustybronco said..I take the propane torch and heat the tube up a bit..not a lot but just enough to"soften" the rubber around the old seal a bit. then i use some laquer thinner and clean the mating surfaces real good before inserting the new seals. You wanna be sure to put the new ones in flat to the tube.. not cockeyed going in. Use a piece of PVC or wood dowel that will just fit the ID of the tube and tap the seal in with that. seems that if they are kinked just a little they like to leak.

[Theo]

I used a tire iron and it popped right out.