Fork seal driver tool

**wbclement** · 06-07-2020, 06:35 PM

03 1500 nomad
What size fork seal driver do I need.
Thanks in advance.

DragonLady58 · 06-07-2020, 08:57 PM

I have a really nice set of drivers, but I get a piece of pvc that goes over the fork tube and I use that....

pete · 06-08-2020, 08:03 PM

+1 on the PVC
You can also cut slits around the end a coupla inch's long, then place a hose clamp around the end and tighten up to reduce the end circumference....tadaaaa... adjustable pvc seal driver (googled that one

)
Pete.

**wbclement** · 06-09-2020, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the suggestion, I used p v c pipe and one leg leaked, twice, K & L seals. Not sure where I'm screwing up. Ordered OEM seals hopefully that will make the difference. No nicks on tube ect. Third time a charm.

mbarr10 · 06-09-2020, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete

+1 on the PVC
You can also cut slits around the end a coupla inch's long, then place a hose clamp around the end and tighten up to reduce the end circumference....tadaaaa... adjustable pvc seal driver (googled that one

)
Pete.

WOW, cool idea.

TrapperAH1G · 06-15-2020, 04:59 PM

Just rebuilt forks on my '01 Nomad. To protect new seal, I used PVC on top of old seal to drive new seal in place. Once in (old seal should be flush or just under edge of fork), I use needle nose pliers to pull old seal out. Also, I took a 2x4 and, using a hole saw, cut a hole just little bigger than the fork. Used that on top of the PVC to hammer on with rubber mallet....gave me a nice, flat, wide surface to tap on.

I used 10 weight oil and was worried it would be too soft, but I'm very happy with the ride.

**wbclement** · 06-15-2020, 08:13 PM

Thank you Trapper, I have my new seals to try again. A piece of pvc cut square and I cut an old seal in half on one side to use as a cushion. After many hours looking for the upper shock size I found it, 41mm, But the price for a seal setting tool was to much for a one time use tool. The old seals were 17 years old and never leaked, I just should have left them alone and been happy with the new oil,15wt,.

degreaser · 06-18-2020, 07:43 AM

my motorcycle shop had 5wt, 10wt, and 20wt, and I wanted 15 so bought the 10 & 20 and decided to mix them both to make 15wt, I did exhaustive youtube watching on mixing chemicals and trust me, don't do it, it will not come out right, so I ended up ordering the 15 from him and waited cause the 1st time i was impatient, anyways the 15 is in, now for seals and this is my opinion, after watching many youtubes I think you can make your own fork seal driver using 2 pvc pipes cut down the middle length with 1 over the other just a bit back a bit and use clamps from hardware store to hold them in place but make sure the scrapping lip of the seals on the inner side are facing down the tube and don't cheap out on seals either get top quality ones ya don't want to be doing this again

MrMikey · 06-18-2020, 10:03 AM

As was said, I used a piece of 2" ABS, cut tapered slots in the end up a few inches. Found a steel fitting that was slightly smaller that the o/d of the fork tube and used that, some ABS cement and a couple of gear clamps to pull it round around the steel fitting. Got a sanding drum in my drill and used that to size it and smooth out the inside so it was a good fit over the tube. Made sure the end was square nad no sharp edges, worked like a top.
As for fork oil, I used Dexron 6 ATF. All I've ever used, not an agrressive driver, works fine for me.............Mike

06-07-2020, 06:35 PM	#1
wbclement Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southeast Massachusetts Posts: 31	Fork seal driver tool 03 1500 nomad What size fork seal driver do I need. Thanks in advance. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-07-2020, 08:57 PM	#2
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	I have a really nice set of drivers, but I get a piece of pvc that goes over the fork tube and I use that.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 06-07-2020 at 09:25 PM.
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06-08-2020, 08:03 PM	#3
pete Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia, Perth. Posts: 236	+1 on the PVC You can also cut slits around the end a coupla inch's long, then place a hose clamp around the end and tighten up to reduce the end circumference....tadaaaa... adjustable pvc seal driver (googled that one ) Pete. __________________ 2012 Vaquero 2007 Nomad
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06-18-2020, 07:43 AM	#8
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	my motorcycle shop had 5wt, 10wt, and 20wt, and I wanted 15 so bought the 10 & 20 and decided to mix them both to make 15wt, I did exhaustive youtube watching on mixing chemicals and trust me, don't do it, it will not come out right, so I ended up ordering the 15 from him and waited cause the 1st time i was impatient, anyways the 15 is in, now for seals and this is my opinion, after watching many youtubes I think you can make your own fork seal driver using 2 pvc pipes cut down the middle length with 1 over the other just a bit back a bit and use clamps from hardware store to hold them in place but make sure the scrapping lip of the seals on the inner side are facing down the tube and don't cheap out on seals either get top quality ones ya don't want to be doing this again __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada
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06-09-2020, 04:32 PM	#4
wbclement Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southeast Massachusetts Posts: 31	Thanks for the suggestion, I used p v c pipe and one leg leaked, twice, K & L seals. Not sure where I'm screwing up. Ordered OEM seals hopefully that will make the difference. No nicks on tube ect. Third time a charm.
	0

06-15-2020, 04:59 PM	#6
TrapperAH1G Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: West Central Washington Posts: 194	Just rebuilt forks on my '01 Nomad. To protect new seal, I used PVC on top of old seal to drive new seal in place. Once in (old seal should be flush or just under edge of fork), I use needle nose pliers to pull old seal out. Also, I took a 2x4 and, using a hole saw, cut a hole just little bigger than the fork. Used that on top of the PVC to hammer on with rubber mallet....gave me a nice, flat, wide surface to tap on. I used 10 weight oil and was worried it would be too soft, but I'm very happy with the ride.
	0

06-15-2020, 08:13 PM	#7
wbclement Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southeast Massachusetts Posts: 31	Thank you Trapper, I have my new seals to try again. A piece of pvc cut square and I cut an old seal in half on one side to use as a cushion. After many hours looking for the upper shock size I found it, 41mm, But the price for a seal setting tool was to much for a one time use tool. The old seals were 17 years old and never leaked, I just should have left them alone and been happy with the new oil,15wt,.
	0