Synergy seals in White Power 50mm forks (1997)

I am having difficulty installing Synergy fork seals in my White Power 50mm forks http://www.synergyseals.com/.

Has anyone used these fork seals before?

If installed with the U-Grovve down they seem a little large and won't seat in the fork leg.
They would go in with the groove facing up but I am pretty sure that would be the wrong way.

They give you a plastic strip which is supposedly needed for the install (see picture) but I cannot figure out how this is to aid installation?

I have the fork seal installation driver but it does not work with these seals.

Also the seals are not as thick as the stock seals and wonder how this will affect things?
PLastic strip:


U groove facing down, extra plastic spacer that actually goes on top of the seal:



U-Groove facing up. The seal would install this way but I don't think that would be correct.

it's good to see you keep your nails trimmed!

a healthy body leads to a healthy mind!!!

regards

Taffy

I think I can see a few white spots on that thumb nail, you may need more calcium in your diet. I suggest you ought to buy a cow.

Regards Freaky

I've installed them in my KX 250. I bought one of these http://shop.synergyseals.com/product.sc ... tegoryId=2 and it made the install very easy. Not sure if they make one for WP though...

I replaced the seals in my 98 600 last year with seals from Dan. I was expecting difficulty and a snug fit when I slid them over the fork leg and into place but they seemed too large and slid into place easily. I have to wonder if they were the right size.
Yes, they leak slightly.
I would be interested in your outcome!

The seals you have are the "Old style" Synergy seals, the newer design seals are installed using standard methods. Unfortunately, the newer units don't appear to come in 50mm.
The plastic acts as a guide/seal protector.
You roll the plastic into a tube shape, insert it into the fork and push the seal, groove side down, down the plastic tube till it seats against the OEM metal ring. Here's the instructions from Synegry's site.
http://www.synergyseals.com/43_wiper_seal_assy.pdf

schultzy said:

I replaced the seals in my 98 600 last year with seals from Dan. I was expecting difficulty and a snug fit when I slid them over the fork leg and into place but they seemed too large and slid into place easily. I have to wonder if they were the right size.
Yes, they leak slightly.
I would be interested in your outcome!

Click to expand...

Did you need to use the plastic seal protector?

I have tried to use the plastic strip as described by tirebiter but again the seal seems too large in diameter, so when the you try to push the seal down into the lower fork with the strip thing in the lower fork leg there is just no room.

I think I am going to try putting the seals in the freezer for awhile to hopefully shrink and firm them up a bit as they are very soft making a seal driver useless with these seals.

I suppose there is a reason that these are the old style seals.

I believe I used the stock seals, they were blue and white?
I would like to try it again with new seals but am afraid it would be the same outcome

husabutt said:

schultzy said:

I replaced the seals in my 98 600 last year with seals from Dan. I was expecting difficulty and a snug fit when I slid them over the fork leg and into place but they seemed too large and slid into place easily. I have to wonder if they were the right size.
Yes, they leak slightly.
I would be interested in your outcome!

Click to expand...

Did you need to use the plastic seal protector?

I have tried to use the plastic strip as described by tirebiter but again the seal seems too large in diameter, so when the you try to push the seal down into the lower fork with the strip thing in the lower fork leg there is just no room.

I think I am going to try putting the seals in the freezer for awhile to hopefully shrink and firm them up a bit as they are very soft making a seal driver useless with these seals.

I suppose there is a reason that these are the old style seals.

Click to expand...

The plastic strip deals are a pain. The outside of the seal can be damaged by the groove where the circlip goes, if it is sharp. The plastic is intended to protect from this. If it is not sharp, don't use the plastic. It will make the install way easier.

I have installed a few sets of these old style seals, and they aren't too bad. Use something wide and flat to push in the seals--they will go.

Johnf3 said:

husabutt said:

schultzy said:

I replaced the seals in my 98 600 last year with seals from Dan. I was expecting difficulty and a snug fit when I slid them over the fork leg and into place but they seemed too large and slid into place easily. I have to wonder if they were the right size.
Yes, they leak slightly.
I would be interested in your outcome!

Click to expand...

Did you need to use the plastic seal protector?

I have tried to use the plastic strip as described by tirebiter but again the seal seems too large in diameter, so when the you try to push the seal down into the lower fork with the strip thing in the lower fork leg there is just no room.

I think I am going to try putting the seals in the freezer for awhile to hopefully shrink and firm them up a bit as they are very soft making a seal driver useless with these seals.

I suppose there is a reason that these are the old style seals.

Click to expand...

The plastic strip deals are a pain. The outside of the seal can be damaged by the groove where the circlip goes, if it is sharp. The plastic is intended to protect from this. If it is not sharp, don't use the plastic. It will make the install way easier.

I have installed a few sets of these old style seals, and they aren't too bad. Use something wide and flat to push in the seals--they will go.

Click to expand...

I finally got it after fumbling for a long time. I could not install the seals without the seal strip because the seal would hang up in the groove. Finding the right "seal pusher" as you described is essential. I have an old screw driver with the edges smoothed which worked good. I still used a Race Tech seal driver to finish tapping it in. I was able to do the second fork leg in just a few minutes. Talk about learning curve.

Thanks for all of the help. I was ready to order a stock seal set but now think these may be good.

I finally got it after fumbling for a long time. I could not install the seals without the seal strip because the seal would hang up in the groove. Finding the right "seal pusher" as you described is essential. I have an old screw driver with the edges smoothed which worked good. I still used a Race Tech seal driver to finish tapping it in. I was able to do the second fork leg in just a few minutes. Talk about learning curve.

Thanks for all of the help. I was ready to order a stock seal set but now think these may be good.

Click to expand...

I had the same exact learning curve. I will say these seals hold up better than any OEM or OEM type design, when installed correctly.