webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 12, 2011 16:58:23 GMT 1
Hi, I'm trying to take my forks apart but the plugs are stuck in the top. It's the one's held in with the clips at the top. I've taken the clips out tried soaking with WD40, a bit of heat around the outside and a bit of gentle bashing with a rubber mallet, but to no avail. Anyone had this problem or know of a way of removing them? One of the legs has a small rust spot so I may end up chopping if nessesary  |
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Post by mellow on Dec 12, 2011 17:28:55 GMT 1
have u tried getting a close fitting socket and tapping them down and keep using wd40 to try and work them lose m8  |
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Post by Tone on Dec 12, 2011 20:14:42 GMT 1
Have you still got them clamped in the yokes. If so try loosening the top yoke pinch bolt.
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webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 12, 2011 20:34:01 GMT 1
No they are in a vice. just spent 2 hours with WD40, a blow torch my best snap-on 19mm socket but still not moving! I guess I could drill the top, tap it and make a sort of slide hammer. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.
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Post by Tone on Dec 13, 2011 8:23:13 GMT 1
Try hitting the centre of the plug in with an old extension bar from a socket set and hopefully the fork spring should gradually push them out. And you could try spraying some silicone lube down there in case the O ring is holding it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2011 9:19:55 GMT 1
have you got a big old sash clamp, it could be worth a try, i used this set up when i had to compress a new heavy duty spring,good luck.nothing worse when nothing seems to work.  |
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webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 13, 2011 11:10:14 GMT 1
I like the sash clamp! Unfortunatly I don't have one so it's back to brut force.  |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2011 15:22:24 GMT 1
go and get a price for 1 clamp . these things are cheap as chips,
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Post by rdorvfr on Dec 16, 2011 6:26:20 GMT 1
So you've removed the little clips.
I tried compressing mine like ken said just to get some movement. Then I turned the forks upside down and hit the top of the fork onto timber that was sitting on the ground (to protect the top). 5-6 good thumps and it dropped out. Harsh, but it worked - good luck.
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webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 16, 2011 22:01:09 GMT 1
Well, I tried compressing but no joy. Took the allen bolt out of the bottom, got a piece of 5mm rod and managed to get one out. The other is not moving. The rust on the one removed is not as bad as the other and that one was a b*****d! I've inspected the legs and the chrome is not good on either so I'm now looking for a pair of decent stantions, or some pattern one's. Thanks for all the tips.
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Post by billy on Dec 17, 2011 22:25:29 GMT 1
Well, I tried compressing but no joy. Took the allen bolt out of the bottom, got a piece of 5mm rod and managed to get one out. The other is not moving. The rust on the one removed is not as bad as the other and that one was a b*****d! I've inspected the legs and the chrome is not good on either so I'm now looking for a pair of decent stantions, or some pattern one's. Thanks for all the tips. Try knocking the top plug downwards first so it breaks the rust, then add WD40 or whatever, then try the 5 mm rod trick through the bottom hole again.  Heating the stanchion up around the top plug can also help. |
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webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 18, 2011 9:40:23 GMT 1
Well after trying all of the above I have managed to remove 1 of the caps using the 5mm rod inside the damper. The other just won't budge. So we are going for the drill and tap method as butchers mentioned. It's only to be expected on a 30 year old bike I guess ;D CHeers.
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webbo
Thrash Merchant
Posts: 393
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Post by webbo on Dec 18, 2011 12:45:40 GMT 1
I did think of using a button head set with a neoprene washer  |
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Heating the stanchion up around the top plug can also help. 