DIY Fork Bushing Removal Tool
I have a spare fork that I bought awhile back and am just now getting time to overhaul it (2002'ish RockShox SID SL). I noticed it's starting to wear the stanchions at the bushings so I'd like to replace the bushings. But, this is something I've never done.
While the bushings are cheap (about $15 for the set), the actual RockShox tools to remove and replace the bushings will cost me over $100 and that doesn't include the parts I can't find (bushing install sleeves).
I measured the inside of the lowers (not the inside of the bushings) and it was about 30.5mm. I found a washer that was larger than that, secured the washer to a bolt with a nut, and chucked the bolt into my drill. While spinning the washer I laid it on a coarse file and started shaving down the washer. I'd stop every now and then to see how much more I had to go. Once I had it down to 30mm, I used my bench grinder to flatten it on each side. Finished by sanding off any burrs.
Put it on a long piece of all-thread and put a smaller washer behind it just to add some stiffness.
Fits nicely into the lowers...
Secure the other end of the all thread into a vice. Tap, tap, tap at the top of the lowers with a rubber mallet.
Out comes the upper bushing...
Out comes the lower bushing...
Overall, they came out much easier than I had anticipated.
The top bushing was flush with the lip of the lower and I took the measurement of the lower bushing (from the lip) before removing it.