Topic: Fork Seal Removal

[snoop]

I had a lot of trouble getting my fork seals out.  I was digging in to the edge of my fork with screw drivers so I went out bought a seal remover at pepboys and still had a lot of trouble. It was not budging.  I sprayed some “pb blaster” around the edges of the seal and literally with in seconds of using it I used the seal removal it popped out with little effort.

[knowseeker]

Thanks for that tip, I have a fork seal replacement on a goldwing coming up and will give that a whirl!

Dave
Williamston, MI
1974 CB350F
1978 GL1000

[xtalon]

I had a lot of trouble getting my fork seals out.  I was digging in to the edge of my fork with screw drivers so I went out bought a seal remover at pepboys and still had a lot of trouble. It was not budging.  I sprayed some “pb blaster” around the edges of the seal and literally with in seconds of using it I used the seal removal it popped out with little effort.

Are you sure it wasn't PB Ribbon?   

Thanks for the tip.  I'll be doing this over the next few weeks myself.

--xTalon

[snoop]

I am pretty sure it is PB Blast, but from that resource that tt just posted, wd40 should work the same.

[xtalon]

I am pretty sure it is PB Blast, but from that resource that tt just posted, wd40 should work the same.

PB Ribbon = Pabst Blue Ribbon

PB Ribbon helps too because it helps keep cursing to a minimum when working on these bikes.   

Sorry, I hope I didn't confuse anyone.  I was just being my usual smart-arse self.

I did have to do a search for PB Blast because I had never heard of it.



--xTalon

[dagersh]

So, I guess it would be prudent to use both PB Blaster AND PB Ribbon.  Just be very careful if two-fisting!

[hymodyne]

mine came out after I applied a propane torch to the area and then pried them out with a thin bladed screwdriver.

hym

[BeSeeingYou]

Bought this tool at Harbor Freight for $4.00 for pulling the fork seals on my 75 XS650.  Worked great and no danger of scarring or distorting your fork from prying with a screwdriver.  Mine were really stuck in there and it took at least 10 hammer blows to get them out.  No way would they have come out without damage prying them out with a screwdriver.

[DaytonGuy]

I went to the local odd lots and got a cheap set of c-clamps.  They usually sell them is sets of three with the smallest being 2-3 inches.  They cost like $5.00 or so.  The small one fits inside the fork.  Use a piece of wood on the lip of the fork and place the clamp on the underside of the seal....tighten clamp.  Work your way around like that and it will pull right out....all for about $5.00.  PB Blaster helps too...if you have it.

[m00ntan]

Thank you.  Mine came out with Aerokroil and a propane torch.  I actually heard them POP.

[paulh1282]

ok so I must be the odd ball, when I drink pbr the cursing usually gets worse...

[sandman]

Another minor tip: no matter what you use to pry the seal out, don't try to pry it out with two pulls. Work your way around the circumference bit by bit- this prevents you from tipping the seal in the fork counterbore and wedging it in. Some seals have metal outer bands, and it is possible to really get them stuck being impatient.

[Redline it]

back in the day, my dad, a pretty sharp oakie with a mechanical common sense that was always just over built for whatever was gonna be needed to make it work, none of his projects crapped out before he did. aircraft mechanic sergeant usmc at about 18.   but he made a steel 3/8 or 5/16 rod, it had a slight bend on the seal side of it and the round was cut in half and tapered back inch or so. and you insert it though the damper bolt hole and then position the slight bent side just under the seal. holding it upright looking into the seal to make sure it wasn't gonna mis and nick the seal seat, and the rod is just outside of the bottom, and tap the whole thing on the bench, tailgate or whatever. pops it right out. pretty easy to store, only i can't find where i put last. think i'm gonna try the boiling water and wd-40.