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Having a bit of trouble finding somewhere selling the allegedly vital tool to install new seals into Pikes. Also, find it a bit gut wrenching to spend £25 on a couple of rubber seals. Anyone got any tips on where to get this stuff? I have already bought a 24mm deep socket, circlip pliers and two weights of oil. Before long I will have spent enough for some new forks...!
Ta
buy a 32 mm socket from local bq about a fiver, halfords or local motorbike shop for oil, screwfix or maybe bq for pliers.
loco for seals
You don't need a tool. They just press in with your fingers.
I take it you mean the main wiper seals, with regards to a tool to install new seals?
I haven't tried it, but I was told when looking to do this on my Reba's that a short section of white plumbing pipe is the right diameter to use as a drift to get the seals in. Just needs placing on top of the seal & tapping evenly round until the seal is seated.
I haven't tried it myself, but is perhaps worth looking into.
With regards to the other bits - once you have paid out for the tools (which it sounds like you have), then you shouldn't need to replace them.
I get my oil from a motorbike shop - it's way cheaper than 'mountain bike fork oil' and does the same thing. I think last time, I bought enough damping oil to do about 4 services for about £10. And you use so little of the lubricating oil (lower legs) that it lasts for ages.
Seals are a bit of a pain - they are pricey for what you get. I think Loco does fairly reasonably priced seal kits.
People on ebay have also been selling kits of seals for certain forks - it's just a gamble as to whether they are the correct size/material.
Seriously, I've done 3 different forks in the last few weeks. You can just press the seals in with your fingers. I did use the top of a RockShox suspension oil bottle to place on top and do a final tap around to make sure everything was even!
Fitted mine last night with a upside down 32mm socket. Little bit of grease on the outside and went straight in.
oil seals can be gotten from brammer etc for £2.53ish each. the wiper dust seals hardly ever need replacing. use a socket and gently tap them into place.
I have a bag of about 12 or new 32mm seals that fit pikes or 1999 - 2009ish Boxxer's if you're interested in a few?
Yep, no need for tools to fit seals, just improvise something from whatever's to hand if they don't go in easily with a push. Sockets are the usual option but I think I used the cardboard tube from inside a roll of electric tape last time.
Greeble - maybe interested, are they the foam seals? I've had the forks about 18 months, light use but never done anything with them except a bit of silicone lube after each ride, thought I might need wipers which will come with foam bits. Will hold off on the tool though, thanks.
What are people's top tips for getting the oil seals out? I used a wide flat screwdriver, but it took a lot of levering! Getting the new ones in wasn't much easier.
Thanks.
@monkeyboy try an open ended spanner then pop seals in freezer before fitting.
pedros dh tyre lever to pry them out.