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Fox fork seals questions
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hey
I about to change the oil, wipers and seals on my fox 32 forks and just wanted to ask if anyone had a trick or ideas for a home made tool to help seat the seals. This will be my second time doing the seals and I had a bit of trouble seating the new ones the first time. I know that fox makes a seating tool but am not interested in buying it as only do the seals a few times a year so not really worth the money.
Thanks Chris
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I went to the plumbing section. Take the seal and try lots of different plastic pipe fittings till you find one the right size.
I had to cut a small section out of the pipe so it fitted around the fork brace.
I found that they pushed in pretty easily. Once in I put the lower upright on a rubber mat & simply tapped around the seals with a small nylon mallet on a piece of doweling to ensure that they were seated. Anything with a soft face should do. Wood, plastic etc.
Yes, Bunnings! As described, go to the plumbing section of any hardware store and you're bound to find something suitable. Take your new seal with you. I have a complete set of such presses, obtained from Bunnings from 32 through to 40 for Fox and others for RockShox. The ones I found were about $5 or so each and fitted perfectly. I've had some sizes for many years. Take your time searching the section, there's a lot of bits and bobs there. Don't rush and you'll find the perfect tool and you'll have it for years.
I'd theorise that both companies arrived at their tools from this method brought about by shop mechanics. If you dig up old instruction photos for Fox before the presses were invented, they press the seal in with a small socket gradually around the edge...
So, get down to Buntings. I mean, Bunnings.
thanks guys. That was what I was planning on doing just wanted to see what other people had come up with.
Chris
Success - found a piece and with a bit of filing it worked perfectly. Some much easier to get the seals to set straight
Thanks