Removing and installing fork seals

[Audioslave784]

I took my old fork seals out, but they ripped pretty badly. There is a rubber part still left in the fork tube. I'm not sure if I got the whole seals out, since they tore, or if the seat where the seal goes is damaged.

Based on these pics, what do you guys think? Do I just clean out the rust and throw the new seals in there?

[hampshirehog]

You haven't got those seals out yet - most of the seal is still in there. You should see the whole of the seat.

Try burning them out with a blowtorch (outside - it stinks) and gentle prying with a screwdriver (careful not to scratch the inside of the fork bottom).

[Audioslave784]

Is that metal ring coated in rubber part of the fork seal, or is it part of the fork? I can't tell whether it's supposed to come out (I already removed the washer, this was below it).

[hampshirehog]

The seal has a rubber centre and a rubber coated metal ring on the outside. If you've got the new seals you'll see what I'm on about. All that old busted seal has to come out and sometimes thay can be a swine.

[mike_of_bbg]

Any rubber you see there is fork seal. The fork lower leg is one large metal piece.

[Audioslave784]

Just got them off. I was confused when I hit metal, thinking it was the fork, but when I realized that the fork seals have metal inside it gave me something to grip and I finally got them out with some pliers.

Thanks for the help!

[hampshirehog]

Nice when it works out. Make sure you put the new ones in the right way round and if you give the outside of each seal a smear of grease they'll pop in easily.