Front Fork Servicing DISASTER

I have removed one front fork and removed the top bolt spring etc, as I have tipped the old oil out and pumped the fork it got jammed down. I could not shift it. I then tried to undo the bottom allen bolt which freed with he usual force, unfortunatley it seems to be cross threaded as it will not undo it just spins. Should there be a oose sound inside the botto of the fork at this stage as I am stuck at this stage and have no where else to go.

I AM DESPERATE !!!!

[Spanner Man]

Good evening.

Try the good old broom handle trick! Insert a sharpened broom handle into the fork with a rubber glove over the end. Tap the fork onto it. Holding the handle securely, you should be able to tighten the allen bolt at the bottom of the forks. Remove the broom handle, & then by twisting & pulling the stanchion it should come free.
The rattling sound is the small spring that's around the damper rod, & is nothing to worry about.

Cheers.

Same happened to mine. Don't pannic!

I grasped the sliders between my feet and gave it a sharp tug on the top and it came free. I didn't try the broomstick idea though.

The second one, I had to put the axel through the hole and do the same as above.

Cheers,
Carl

[yorkie_chris]

All you did first is pushed the fork onto the fluid lock, which causes the forks to hydraulically stop when bottomed out instead of having metal on metal contact. Just pull it, it will come out eventually but please have somebody video it when you pull that hard that you land on your ar$e

The allen bolt secures the damper rod in place I beleive, hence why now you've loosened it, its spinning round.
The broom handle trick as advised by spannerman is the way to do that one.

Broomstick is the way to go. I shaved one in an hexagonal shape approx 12 - 14 mm across flats tapering to width of stick about 25mm down length of shaft, give it tap and it'll hold the allen key at the bottom of the tube. When you have the allen key out, measure the damn thing and get a nut, or two, the right size and some all thread from B and Q depot. Either weld a nut to the all thread or lock the two nuts together by tightening the one furthest on back towards the one nearest the end, hope that made sense. This tool will then do for next time, either that or make sure you keep the broom !!!!

Thank you all !!!

The broomstick idea was a winner for me, I knew I could rely on the forum croud !!

Just as a quick question any idea why one side is red oil and the other is thick grey, could only one side of been changed in the past ?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by mattglavin

Just as a quick question any idea why one side is red oil and the other is thick grey, could only one side of been changed in the past ?

Sounds like to me that the thick grey side has got water contaminated with water, let me guess does it stink to high heaven ?

When I changed mine the oil in both fork legs was like that ewh, gross...

Do you know what, that was the funny thing, there was no bad smell from either fork. I suppose I was just lucky !