Removal of damper rod bolts

[muzikill]

Forks still in situ, they are a b*stard to remove! - im trying, trying to remove them! Ive got the fork oil seals to replace ...... hints and tips appreciated. ive read a few threads to gen up on this part & still having an issue with them

Can someone describe what the 'broom handle' method is as well?

have you try'd to slacken the bolts first while the fork springs and still in and top caps screwed on that normaly puts enough force on damper rod to stop it spinning while you undo the bolt

or take the springs out and put a broom handle down the inside of the fork stanction and push it down onto the damper rod to stop it moving

impact gun don't go jabbing stuff down there to stop them spinning

[squirrel_hunter]

Never done it with the forks in situ.

Take the fork out of the yokes, turn it upside down compress the fork as much as you can and while keeping compression undo the bolt. Sounds easy doesn't it. Trouble it I doubt its a one man job, or put it this way I always have an assistant on hand for this bit.

However if the bolt turns but does not undo its the broom handle for you. Take all the internals out that you can and stick a broom handle up it. Compress the fork onto the handle and undo the bolt.

It sounds so simple, but that bolt can be a real pain to get out. Last time I did one I took most of the skin off of one of my fingers when the bolt finally turned...

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by barwel1992

impact gun don't go jabbing stuff down there to stop them spinning

But if the bolt spins the rod even under compression how will an impact gun help?

it shouldn't spin freely with force on it from the oil

[squirrel_hunter]

I have had it happen. Forks compressed as much as I can and someone else on bolt duty and all that happened was the internals turning.

[muzikill]

With the forks in situ i had the wheel off. I had a 8mm hex key stuck 'up' it. the L part of the hex key sticking out. The bottom part of the fork that the wheel bolts on to turns but when i jam it into my shoulder it stops turning. I tried hitting the end of the 'L' part of the the key thats stuck up in the bolt head with a hammer but no budge. And with the force im using the bottom part of the fork still turns, try to stop it turning aint working using a shoulder.

I cant think of a way to stop this because you cant get at the damper bolt head with the wheel back on. plus i dont wanna knacker the bolt head with a plain hex key. I noticed some people recommend using a impact hex socket, but i'll need one thats approx 2 inches long to get far enough up the fork end to reach the hex head damper bolt.

Put an 8mm socket on an extension bar and use that to turn the hex key with an even pressure.Slide the axle back through but not all the way,leaving yourself enough room for the hex key to turn.
DO NOT HIT IT WITH A HAMMER BECAUSE IF YOU ROUND IT OFF YOU ARE IN THE POO
Failing achieving its removal by the above method I suggest you remove the complete fork and do as is previously recommended

[muzikill]

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

Put an 8mm socket on an extension bar and use that to turn the hex key with an even pressure.Slide the axle back through but not all the way,leaving yourself enough room for the hex key to turn.
DO NOT HIT IT WITH A HAMMER BECAUSE IF YOU ROUND IT OFF YOU ARE IN THE POO
Failing achieving its removal by the above method I suggest you remove the complete fork and do as is previously recommended

Yup the hammer methods stoopid, hmmm i could turn the fork that the axle threads into the other waqy round so it threads in straight away still leaving the hole to get into the bolt head, although it would still leave the problem with the other fork bolt.

It's not easy trying to get a a 8mm hex impact socket with a hex head 2 inches in length the can reach in deep enough to get to the bolt head.