I'm getting ready to rebuild the front end on my 2012 F-250 6.2 4X4. I believe I have all the parts except the knuckle seals, tool and the needle bearings which the axle shaft rides on. Has anyone used the homemade seal driver using 1 1/4" pipe? Or don't mess around and just buy the correct tool? I have been finding mixed answers whether or not this works. What I have seen of the manufactured tool it looks like it drives the seal onto the axle shaft in a vice, then drives the axle shaft and seal into the knuckle when its installed on the truck. How is the second step accomplished with the homemade tool? Thanks

 

you align, or just set the seal into the knuckle then tap on the tool to drive the axle/seal combo slowly into the spindle until its fully seated at the back of the spindle. Before doing so, take a flap wheel on a drill and polish the bore of the spindle, get any rust cleaned up out of the bore so its way easier to install the seal. lightly coat the bore and the seal lip with some grease so it slides in nice and doesn't tear at the seal as you drive it home

 

I used the PVC pipe homebrew tool when I rebuilt a front end on my '99 years ago. It seemed to work pretty well, just have to be careful and make sure everything stays aligned.

That said, if you plan to keep the truck long enough that you might need to do this again someday, it might be worth it to buy the tool.