Topic: Fork Seal Removal...any bright ideas?

[brycegp]

So...i've replaced fork seals before and they are ALWAYS a chore to get out.  But I've never had one put up this much of a fight.  I've hit this thing from every angle and it is sufficiently chewed up as a result.  But it won't budge...and now I have no more "lips" to push against to get it out.  

What now?

[Popwood]

Did you try boiling it? It worked for me and my son and others on the site have recommended.

[gmonkey]

I heat mine up with a heat gun.  Hair dryer might work too.  Same basic idea as the boiling but less involved.

[TwoTired]

Local MC shop owner showed me that a long tire iron/lever, pops them out pretty easily.

[elquenada]

I just did this this weekend.  I boiled some water and then gave the seals a soak for about 5mins.  Then I took a BFS and pryed it out, using a shop towel to make sure i didnt mar the metal around the forks.  they popped right out.

[TwoTired]

I've used screwdrivers before. Difficult to not scratch the seating surface.  The tire iron has rounded edges that don't dig into the soft aluminum.

[Toxic]

... and if you scratch the surface like I did you better polish is smooth

[GammaFlat]

Use a seal puller (about $7).  I rested a tire flat across the top of the leg and leveraged the puller (fulcrum point) on the flat. 

[brycegp]

boiling it worked like charm.

Thanks Elquenada!

[elquenada]

glad it worked. though I wont dare take credit for that tip.  i learned everything about my bike here in this forum and i feel forever indebted to pass on the info.  enjoy your new seals.

[brycegp]

Check out my build thread!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=73552.msg816924#msg816924