Topic: More Fork help - Tricks for the getting that screw out?

[KB02]

What tips and tricks have people used to get the screw out of the bottom of the forks? I need to replace my oil seals.

I have tried just screwing it out. This worked fine on one side, but not the other.

I tried with the top cap still screwed in (Causing the sppring to leave more preasure on the damper), and that didn't work.

I tried the Broom handle trick (From the other Fork Help thread) and that didn't work.

Anyother tricks that I could try?

[TwoTired]

I've always had success with one of those air impact driver tools.

Cheers,

[Sweep]

I used a plastic broom handle and braced it against the floor.  I then slip the forks down over it and push down hard while unscrewing.

[RRRToolSolutions]

I like to leave them assembled with the fork cap and spring in-place, then use an impact gun to remove them. I've never had one that wouldn't come loose with the air. You want the high torque and high speed of the impact wrench.

Regards,
Gordon

[Sweep]

I like to leave them assembled with the fork cap and spring in-place, then use an impact gun to remove them. I've never had one that wouldn't come loose with the air. You want the high torque and high speed of the impact wrench.

Regards,
Gordon

Ya know, all of your are such experts in the air guns maybe you can anwer thsi question.  I have the run of the mill gun shapped Craftsman impact gun and for some reason the 1/2" sockets won't fit over it!  It's got some sort of retaining pin and a circle on the end but the connector sure looks like 1/2".  Maybe this takes special sockets?  So long ago I bought it and never used it...

[doug_id]

I like to leave them assembled with the fork cap and spring in-place, then use an impact gun to remove them. I've never had one that wouldn't come loose with the air. You want the high torque and high speed of the impact wrench.

Regards,
Gordon

+1....worked great for me.

[RRRToolSolutions]

I use a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter, then I have a 3/8 socket that fits onto the 8mm allen with it's short angle cut off. I have electrical tape holding the allen "bit" I made to the dedicated 8mm socket. I've been using it for many years. I have 2 full sets of allen sockets - both in SAE and metric, but these aren't long enough to reach the allen heads - thus the cut-off wheel was put to use to make the 3" bit.

On the air wrench, I don't have a clue. It sounds reasonable that they would mandate the use of hardened "impact" sockets. I'd guess that's what you're experiencing. Mine is a cheap one through Harbor Freight and does a good job for me.

Regards,
Gordon

[Patrick]

In a really tough case, you can compress the leg with a tiedown. Works every time.

Patrick

[lohebohi]

I used the broom handle trick.  But at first it did not work.  I had to put some washers in there so that the piece of wood would have more pressure on it.  Make the the washers are big enough for the bottom of that cap nut to push down on the washer.  Try putting so many washers in there that you can barely start threading the top cap bolt in.  Then use a wrench to tighten the nut all the way.

I like the idea of the tie down strap.  You might try that as well after you use a broom handle and washers. 

[KB02]

In a really tough case, you can compress the leg with a tiedown. Works every time.

Patrick

Hmmmm.... I hadn't thought of that. It's so crazy that it just might work!  

And if that doesn't work I'll turn the thing upside down like Sweep said.

Yeah, I wish I had an air tool. The only compressor I have is a little half horse tire inflator from Sears. No storage tank, Just the compressor itself. It says it has a 100psi max rating, but it'll take it about a day to get up there.  

[shoemanII]

try whittling the broom tip in the shape of a 4-sided pyramid, you can get more "bite" that way.  good luck!
bobp

[isred]

hello all, to sweep the impact wrench that you have takes special sockets. they are heavy duty sockets that are almost unbreakable. The sockets are compatable with standard socket wrenches though so you could use them on a breaker bar, and so forth. only prob, with mine any way is that they have a bigger outer diam. than normal sockets. hope this helps Brent

[Sweep]

hello all, to sweep the impact wrench that you have takes special sockets. they are heavy duty sockets that are almost unbreakable. The sockets are compatable with standard socket wrenches though so you could use them on a breaker bar, and so forth. only prob, with mine any way is that they have a bigger outer diam. than normal sockets. hope this helps Brent

Brent that does help me, thanks.

[KB02]

Alright, the tie downs didn't work; and I had that sucker tightened up like no bump will even tighten it. I'll try turning the thing upside down tonight, but I'm not too hopeful if the tie down method failed. I have been trying to keep the upper tubes on the bike, and since I had to work until 9:00 last night, I didn't feel like performing the minor surgery to remove the thing.

The good news, though, is that my new headlight ears and DYNA S ignition arrived in the mail yesterday. The fork seals and new front tire should be here today. 

[doug_id]

Do you know anybody you could borrow an air compressor and impact wrench from......sounds like those suckers are on tight!   

If they are off the bike take em to the local mechanic.....probably take them 20 seconds.

Good luck,
Doug

[Patrick]

If you take them off the bike - I assumed you already had - and then ratchet down the tie downs all the way, the bolts should come loose. I've removed some pretty hard core fork bolts using that method. Some were so rusty when they finally came loose that they wouldn't screw back in.

[KB02]

The upper part is still attatched to the trees. I was hoping not to have to take the tubes completely, but looks like I might have to at this rate. We'll see.

As for the ratchet strap, I had it as tight as I could get it. I had it tuned to very nice F sharp, I think. 

[KB02]

Alright, despite my best efforts, I will be dropping off the for to the local shpo on my way to work today to see if they can get that little bolt out ($%#&*%^ no good *##% son of a %#$^&). I even tried turning it upside down and putting all of my weight on it while it was on the V-cut broom handle.

Nothin.

I'll let you know what they find if anything other than a stubborn bolt.   

[KB02]

If they are off the bike take em to the local mechanic.....probably take them 20 seconds.

Actually, I had to wait in the showroom for about 2 whole minutes while they got the bolt out for me. 

Turns out the copper washer was missing. I wonder if that was causing any of the issues with it not coming out?

[TwoTired]

Turns out the copper washer was missing. I wonder if that was causing any of the issues with it not coming out?

Indirectly maybe.  That copper washer is a conforming seal to keep liquids in.  Someone may have over tightened it to stop a weep.

Cheers,