Are there any o-ring installation tools or tricks/tips for installation? Recently I had to install multiple o-rings over the length of some hydraulic valve stems which have recessed grooves along their length. Some of the o-rings are small and hard to handle. Difficult to get started over the shaft and also difficult to prevent them from dropping into the wrong slot along the the way to final desitination. Stretching is also a concern. I have seen some cone tools but just not sure how well they work. Any experience or recommendations welcomed.
o-ring installation tool needed
- Thread starter aveguy
- Start date
I have a set marketed by Parker that I've used for years on rod seals, they can also be used with orings (I very seldom use them for that though). I don't even remember where I purchased them at.
http://www.hidromar.es/m/pdf/en/util.pdf
http://www.hidromar.es/m/pdf/en/util.pdf
Definitely for working internally.. I mainly use them for installing rod cups on pallet jacks. Maybe a picture showing what your trying to do? Can you simply use a long straight pick to slide them into the apropriate groove?
kd4gij
Well-known member
I rebuild hydroaulic's all the time. This is all I use. Works for all O-rings.
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-pick-and-hook-set-69592.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-pick-and-hook-set-69592.html
gordyy
Well-known member
I worked in the beverage industry as a tech for years we had some really kewl little cupped tools made for installing them was a kit had tools like hiball's link showed some pics and some of these little cupped end tools also thin wall vinyl tubing if you can find some the right size works to keep them out of the wrong grooves (even painters tape in a pinch)
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Silicon grease or spray helps make the rings slide on. Of course that make them slippery to the touch.
Related, but if you ever have to use those heavy rubber rings to hang a new exhaust system, spray the rubber with silicone.
Also Fernco sleeves slide right on the silicon spray.
Related, but if you ever have to use those heavy rubber rings to hang a new exhaust system, spray the rubber with silicone.
Also Fernco sleeves slide right on the silicon spray.
Jbullfrog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a few castrators that I use to install o-rings on shafts. They look like pliers with 4 posts that spread away from each other as you squeaze the handles.
Monkey Milk
Well-known member
Ok the pic above is a simple example of the shaft. This one only has two steps and rings. But others I have run into have as many as 4. Obviously it's not impossible to install orings on such a shaft because I have been doing it using small push stick etc. But would be easier if there was some sort of tool. Like gordyy suggested... maybe thin wall tubing?
Yes those look like they would do what I need. Is oring installation the intended use for what you posted? Why can't I just buy those and be done with it? Do you have a source(PN) and are those the only two sizes?
Monkey Milk
Well-known member
aveguy, Have you looked at my pic this is what you need. Put the o-ring on tapered end, push on so it's on the larger side, then the drilled out end slides over the first step, **** up against the second step, then you just push the o-ring over. They sell these for $30 for two different sizes, but you can make your own out of round stock.
Ya that sounds like it would work. But all I can find are castrators used for vet and animals. Is that what your using? Cause the ones I see only have 2 legs. Do you have a link?
Monkey Milk
Well-known member
Sorry your post beat mine, I got them from a dental supply comp. I think there to small for what you need, that's why I suggested you make them.
The ideal way to do it was to leave the old o-rings in place and starting by removing the farther away o-ring first so it could be slid over the old o-rings and not get it stuck in some other o-ring groove. This is in case you needed to save the used o-ring as reference to get a new one. If you already have the new o-rings it would be easier to cut them to remove them. Then, you could slide a new o-ring over the shaft, or stem, and over the old o-rings and this new o-ring would not fall in the incorrect o-ring grooves. Then you would do the second farther away o-ring and so on.
If you already removed all the o-rings either consider reinstalling the old ones so you can slide the new ones over them. Otherwise, clean the shaft with solvent to remove any oil and cover the grooves with masking tape or any suitable tape and try to slide the o-rings over the tape. Also, shrink tubing of suitable size can be put over the empty grooves and heated so it covers these grooves tight and remove them when installing the next o-ring. The tubing may sink into the groove a little but still you should be able to push the o-ring over the groove.
Or, start by installing the new o-rings by installing first the one closer to the beginning of the shaft and slide aditional (and further away) o-rings over the new o-rings. Anyway, you should use oil or grease to slide the o-rings. O-rings stretch enough that they can be slid over the new o-rings.
To install the o-rings over the beginning (or end) of the shaft, you should use an o-ring pick with the hook shape. Hold the o-ring over the shaft end with a finger and with the pick stretch the o-ring over the shaft a little until you get it completely over the shaft.
If you already removed all the o-rings either consider reinstalling the old ones so you can slide the new ones over them. Otherwise, clean the shaft with solvent to remove any oil and cover the grooves with masking tape or any suitable tape and try to slide the o-rings over the tape. Also, shrink tubing of suitable size can be put over the empty grooves and heated so it covers these grooves tight and remove them when installing the next o-ring. The tubing may sink into the groove a little but still you should be able to push the o-ring over the groove.
Or, start by installing the new o-rings by installing first the one closer to the beginning of the shaft and slide aditional (and further away) o-rings over the new o-rings. Anyway, you should use oil or grease to slide the o-rings. O-rings stretch enough that they can be slid over the new o-rings.
To install the o-rings over the beginning (or end) of the shaft, you should use an o-ring pick with the hook shape. Hold the o-ring over the shaft end with a finger and with the pick stretch the o-ring over the shaft a little until you get it completely over the shaft.
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kd4gij
Well-known member
Ok the pic above is a simple example of the shaft. This one only has two steps and rings. But others I have run into have as many as 4. Obviously it's not impossible to install orings on such a shaft because I have been doing it using small push stick etc. But would be easier if there was some sort of tool. Like gordyy suggested... maybe thin wall tubing?
I put o-ring's on parts like that all the time with a hooked pick. Quick and simple
I put o-ring's on parts like that all the time with a hooked pick. Quick and simple
+1 I thought the OP was referencing some elaborate setup, just use the pick stem to slide it towards the desired groove.
jfleisher
Well-known member
I use this:
http://www.jefferspet.com/jeffers-band-castrating-tool/camid/LIV/cp/IA-M1/cn/31073/
Available at any Tractor Supply Store...
http://www.jefferspet.com/jeffers-band-castrating-tool/camid/LIV/cp/IA-M1/cn/31073/
Available at any Tractor Supply Store...
plewlandsbob
Well-known member
A simple trick, I often use is get a plastic soda bottle. Cut off the top and bottom. Keep the centre section and cut it vertically, so you have a flat piece of plastic. Wrap around the shaft you are working on and put a wrap of insulating tape around to hold it together. Just wrap a little tighter at one end ,to form a cone ,to make starting o-rings easier. You can also use the same technique, for oil seals.
For small shafts , you can cut the plastic down, to avoid having several wraps.
For small shafts , you can cut the plastic down, to avoid having several wraps.
dieselgarage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
- Messages
- 277
Your always better to stretch it and work in in place than to roll it. Rolling it can leave a twist in the o-ring that will lead to premature failure.
ricleh
Well-known member
I use this type tool
crewchief888
Well-known member
OTC also sells these
as does deere and bobcat
i've seen different sizes for different size bores
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
I can't think of a source, but a collet with extra grooves for wider range of expansion might work nicely.
Well I think you guys have successfully found a tool purchase my wife will support....
"castration pliers" !
I am almost afraid to buy them...
The tool guy voice in my head says "try them, there only $10" and the other voice in my head says "Don't do it, she's watching to see which drawer you put them in".
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