Lovely new bearings all in, just trying to pop the freehub back on and I can't get the black seal on it to snap back into place - of course I'm not using the proper tool. Any suggestions?
Use a "drift" or teaspoon(s) handles to work the seal back in. It can be a total p.i.t.a, and you can split the seal if your not careful.
I ended up orderng the tool from CRC to save on future swearing!
The proper tool only pops the freehub & seal back onto the hub. It doesn't seat the seal into the freehub groove.
Just use brute thumb force and be careful not to snag it on the pawls. Oh and get it the right way around!
I just did this job and with a bit of care it just slides over the freehub body into the groove. I'd repeat Anthony's advice about thumbs and care...... and getting it the right way round!
I've got the seal on the freehub groove, it's getting it seated back on the hub that's the problem - I'll try easing it bit by bit then, was hoping there might be a cunning cheat 😉
Put a light smear of grease around it and just shove it hard. Or run your thumbs round it going opposite ways. Ie start with both a 6pm and run left thumb anti clockwise and right thumb clockwise until the seal pops in at 12 noon.
I bought the F+R bearing tools and the freehub tool from 18bikes for £17 iirc and they are well worth it.
It will go back in eventually, just needs a bit of working around with your fingers.