fORK SEAL REMOVAL PROBLEMS pLS HELP

My forks are cmpletely disaassemled but I cannot seem to get the fork seals completely out. I've tries several tools to remove them and am now soakinging them in acetone hoping it will eat the rubber and I can pull them out easier. I've shaved a lot of the rubber off but can't get just pop themout. I tired a heat gun, penetrating oil, genle force and nothing is working, they are just coming apart more and more. Any suggestions on how to get these bastars out? I've searched and searched but all the fork posts seem to be about removing the bottom allen bolts which was no problem. Any help is alway appreciated, I love you guys (and gals) your great. Thanks in advance!!!

Yojymbo! wrote:

.... I've tried several tools to remove them...

Did you try using a seal puller? I got one off the shelf at the auto parts store & do it at the end of a work table & use small scraps of wood to protect the tubes.
Just in case.... there's a metal ring encased in the rubber.

Did you remove the clip and washer from the top of the seal?

this is a seal puller. Use something to protect the aluminum fork when you rock the seal out.

You might try lightly heating the seal with a propane torch.

Good luck

I have a tool similar to a seal puller and yes I removed all the locking rings etc. but when I saw that metal ring exposed (that is part of the seal normally encased in rubber) I thought I was starting to dig into the forks. I'm going to hit it again with more fury now that I know the part I need to pull out is not part of the fork. Thanks for you help I really appreciate it.

I had to use a vise to hold the fork as I pulled out the seal. I wrapped the fork in leather before tightening the vise

GOT YOU SUCKAS'!!!!

The allen bolts and fork seals both needed a little of Hank Hills clean burning propane and that solved all the problems.

I'm going to re-package propane torches, mark them up 50% and sell them as fork tools.