Am I better off buying the proper rockshox installation tool or can I safely install the seals/dust wipers with a suitable size socket?

Is there a tool for this? It takes me five minutes of swearing and sore thumbs for this – per leg. Thanks for the socket tip.

yeah screwdriver them out and push them back in. If you are being really bone idle you can do it without taking the legs off, just clean them up with a rag and cotton buds

Yep, socket for the win.

Pvc pipe. Fits perfectly and takes 2secs with a little gentle persuasion.

Screwdriver handle and a hammer for me.

Warpcow +1

Your much less likely to damage anything if the pipe moves while hammering. Also worth remembering to remove the seal pressure springs before fitting the seals and refit when done.

did this just last week. Picking up a tip from others – all that you need to do is pop the rubber bits in the freezer and they shrink. Then you can just slot them in. It was far far easier than I was expecting 🙂

Put the seals in the freezer for a while first and then put grease on them when fitting. I use a large socket and rubber mallet to install.

Hammer/freezing for fitting seals? 😯 – bit of grease and a firm push is all that is required with the correct sized socket or the seal tool.

Thanks for the info, I will have a go with a socket before buying the tool (unless I find one cheap on ebay) what size socket do you use? (I’m guessing somewhere between 30 and 34mm?)

freezing = no push or tools required 😉 Drops in as easy as anything

freezing = no push or tools required Drops in as easy as anything

Fair enough – but does seem a little pointless as they just push in without freezing.

Never used a socket, screwdriver or freezer
Just push them in with my thumbs

To start with I actually used the Hope pro2 hub seal installation tool! After the first installation they seem to then go in nice and easy by hand.

+1 for freezing.

Much harder to get the stantions into the lower legs with new seals though.