Tech Talks: Fork Wiper Seal Replacement, Presented by Park Tool - Video

Mar 30, 2017
by Pinkbike Staff  
Tech Talks Presented by Park Tool


Tech Talks Presented by Park Tool is a monthly video series hosted by Park Tool's own wrench whisperer, Calvin Jones. The series covers the A to Zs of some of the most prevalent repair jobs, with the ninth episode tackling fork wiper seal replacement.

Suspension forks are expensive, so keeping them running smoothly is important. Not only will your fork perform better if you give it some love, but it'll also perform better for longer. Below, Calvin goes through the basic steps of fork wiper seal replacement, a job that can seem intimidating but is actually far easier than it sounds.


Tech Talks - Wiper Seal Replacement

Views: 14,822    Faves: 30    Comments: 0



Need more Calvin in your life?
Episode #1 - Tubeless tire installation and conversion
Episode #2 - Saving that bent disc rotor
Episode #3 - Derailleur hanger alignment
Episode #4 - Shimano and Crankbrothers pedal service
Episode #5 - Trailside wheel repair
Episode #6 - Trailside chain repair
Episode #7 - Derailleur limits and cable tension
Episode #8 - Derailleur setup

Stay tuned for more mechanical how-to videos with Calvin returning on the last Thursday of every month to show you the easiest way to get the job done. Want to know more? Park Tool's how-to section has you and your bike covered.

www.parktool.com / @ParkToolCompany

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Member since Jul 22, 2013
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47 Comments
  • 11 0
 3:45 on the video, he installed the wiper seal on the oil seal end of the tool and most likely buggered up the seal lip and garter spring. way to go
  • 4 0
 No kidding.... this was like a 'what not to do' for me.
  • 3 0
 Saw that eh?
  • 1 0
 bike shops in a nutshell.
  • 11 0
 I learned the hard way that wearing safety glasses when working with shock/brake oil is a good idea.
  • 2 0
 Or springs. A mechanic close to my place is one eyed because of this mistake.
  • 11 0
 I have to really smack the bolts on my pike to get the legs off. Always feels wrong
  • 5 0
 Same with every fork i have ever serviced, never did any harm though.
  • 3 0
 Same here. Have to hit it pretty hard. Most the air side is tough... and yes it feels wrong. But so far nothing has broken :-)
  • 7 0
 It's important that the seals are level with respect to the recess in the lowers, or else the stanchions will prematurely wear the seals. You can see that the damper side seal is askew in this video. To make it easier to install seals, especially the new Fox seals, I throw them into the freezer during disassembly and cleaning. I can usually work them in with my hands pretty easily after chilling.
  • 2 0
 Just get a set of these they are amazing and cheap and it is as easy as in the video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q305dJW_Lm4

And with dual air forks you should always inflate the positive chamber first or you can encounter all kinds of problems with the fork not working as it should.
  • 2 0
 @zer0c00l44: The Unior seal press tools are great, but I found with the new fox seals in an old Fox 32 fork (my friend's bike) the new "Flangeless" seals still wanted to go in at a slight angle, despite the lead in chamfer. Ended up having to sink one a bit low in the pocket to get it back straight. Pain in the ass.
  • 1 0
 The freezer trick works pretty well for me on the new fox seals
  • 1 0
 @jmblur: I know theyre tight as hell and a pain. I line them up and give them a short sharp whack to get em started. Get em down to where they need to be then if a little wonky I straighten them up with a screw driver very gently from the base of the wiper being careful not to damage any part of it.
  • 10 0
 Seeing that awesome workspace makes me want to go wipe my stanchion
  • 7 0
 Man, clean that fork thoroughly before you ever begin... jeez.
  • 2 0
 I know, right?
  • 4 0
 ... also, always remove the wiper seal spring before seating them so you don't crush the shit out of the spring, and the tool fits as intended.
  • 4 0
 ... and do not forget to put them back on BEFORE you install the lowers :-)
  • 7 2
 Can we have the next one on bleeding brakes please?
  • 5 0
 Youtube is your friend Wink
  • 2 0
 ^^^^ He's right. I just bled the brakes on my two bikes last week only with the help of Youtube and the Online Manuals from Shimano and Avid. Cheers.
Beer
  • 2 0
 Epic bleed Solutions have good step by step guides, I found them more useful than a video.
  • 4 0
 Ugh, very surprised Park Tool allowed this to be published. So many wrongs.
  • 4 0
 "Dampening"? I didn't know my fork was just making things more wet.
  • 1 0
 smh
  • 3 0
 An ISIS bottom bracket tool fits perfectly over 32mm seals. Use one to seat the seals.
  • 1 0
 I used a Rexona roll-on deodorant lid for 34mm seals... works perfect, it's plastic and doesn't damage the seals but takes hammer blows just fine.
  • 2 1
 What with the opposite approaches of greasing/nongreasing the wiper/seal seatings? it is a discussion almost as fierce as 29/27.5...
  • 9 2
 Always apply a little of slick honey - sram butter on wipes if yuo want a smooth action...
  • 4 1
 I've always applied grease to the lowers/wiper interface, and never had any issues.
  • 3 3
 @half-man-half-scab: I practice this for a 15 years on every clients fork, no issues Big Grin But we send a lot of Fox forks to official service and they put them dry, forks work like crap and stanchions sticks a lot after their service ... Big Grin
  • 4 1
 @b-wicked: Seriously though. I guess in theory, the oil in the foam rings should keep the actuation at the wiper seal smooth. But in reality, with only a few ml of oil in each leg of the fork, it's never enough. It is SO much better when you grease it. The grease also helps debris off the bushing.
  • 1 0
 @half-man-half-scab: I actually have had issues after applying slick honey to the wiper interface. sometimes the wipers do not stay in place after the service. I'v seen the wipers slide up into the middle of the stanchion multiple times. don't know if they were faulty wipers, though they could have been. I choose to put the wipers in dry so that there is more friction and they are more likely to stay in place. I definitely have to be more careful during installation but have never had an issue with them popping out of place after the service.
  • 3 2
 @carlmontnative: nonono dont grease the sutface that contacts with lowers grease the surface that contacts with stanchions! Never use grease to install wipers they will pop out Smile
  • 1 0
 @b-wicked: isn't that what this thread is talking about? "wiper/seal seatings", "lowers/wiper interface". seems like you and @zsandstrom are talking about the wiper to stanchion interface for some reason.

fox factory services are great imo. if there is an issue after the factory service, they take full responsibility and will complete a full factory service a second time free of charge.
  • 1 0
 @carlmontnative: sry dude maybe i got i little missunderstand it. About fox service it's not the same everywhere... And i wont accept them not greasing wiper to stanchion interface even if they rebuild it second time and do the same...
  • 2 0
 Looks like he is soaking emĀ“ foam rings in 5 wt oil: 15 wt is for sure recommended for longer lasting lubinĀ“.
  • 3 0
 Great video but that music looks like a porn movie of the 70's jajaja
  • 3 1
 Every 30h of riding? Or buy a Marzocchi and do it at the end of the season.
  • 5 2
 My boy Kelvin !!!!!
  • 5 0
 Calvin*
  • 4 1
 @chrisingrassia: My boy Kelvin !!!!!
  • 2 0
 ...All those cone wrenches. What are cone wrenches for again?
  • 1 0
 I came for the tool wall.. Am I the only one?
  • 1 4
 Step:1 Clean the fork before disassembly
Step:2 Remove the foam rings from the packaging and throw them away
Step:3 Fill the void with Slick Honey
Step:4 Remove the Rock Shox and throw it away







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