It's time to re-assemble my forks and I need to re-seat the top bushing and the oil seal. Does anyone have a tried-and-true method for doing this?

 

When I did mine I ordered an extra washer that goes under the seal, put it on top of seal than a long peace of exhaust pipe and rubber hammer drive them home.

 

Good tip. Did you drive the bushing first and then the seal? I worry a little about distorting the seal by using it to drive-home the bushing.

 

I used other

 

With alittle oil on them I was able to push the bushing in with the washer and pipe first by hand.

 

What sort of coupler? Galvanized pipe? Conduit? PVC? And what did you slide over the fork tube to drive down on it?

 

Thanks for the tip! I don't have an extra washer, but I just read a suggestion about using a 1-1/2" coupler. Same concept, different component and one I can pick up at the store today

 

I just used PVC pipe nothing else. Can't remember on bushing but want to think it went in easy by hand.

 

I did mine last week and used a 1 1/2 schedule 40 coupling and ground it down to fit inside leg. used it and washer to gently slide bushing in place then washer and seal and tapped it home.

 

What I would up doing was getting a 2-ft piece of 1-1/2" ABS pipe and, because it was slightly too small to slip over the upper fork leg, I cut a slit down the side of it with a circular saw which allowed me to spread it open enough to get it over the leg. I drove home the bushing first, then the seal. It worked out great.

Be sure to clean out the retaining ring groove, and the retaining ring itself. I did this by holding the fork leg upside down and taking som steel wool to the groove, then wiping with a paper towel.