Fork seals the easy way?

[4everFJ]

I know the traditional way of changing fork seals, using some kind of fork seal driver that fits around the inner tube to drive the fork seal into place.
I also know that you can make your own cheap fork seal driver using e.g. some PVC pipe.

However, why not just install the fork seals before inserting the inner tube in the lower leg? That would make it much easier to install the fork seal without having to use/fabricate a fork seal driver. You could just drive it in with a big socket or simply a piece of round wood.
I can't really see any issues putting the inner tube into the lower leg after the seal is installed?

Anything that would prevent doing it like that?

[Firehawk068]

Yes, the fork leg bushing would prevent you from inserting the fork tube past the seals, and then the upper bushing.
Not possible to install those until the fork tube is already in place.

[FJ_Hooligan]

Yeah, it won't fit.  The fork tube bushing is what pops the seal out during disassembly.

And the PVC fork seal driver is maybe $2 of PVC and a small chunk of 2x4 with a hole in it?

[4everFJ]

Thanks, I get it now. The inner bushing won't be able to pass the outer bushing.

You could actually do it on the old XV Yamahas, but they probably didn't have the bushings (it was a long time ago I worked on one..).