Fork link bolt removal - WTF?

[dansuper]

Hi all,

Trying to remove my fork link bolts and am extremely frustrated/ confused.

It *seems* as if the bolts turn freely, and there is a tiny bit of lateral play, so I assumed they weren't seized. But they will not budge when I try to tap them through. I guess that they are actually seized into the bushing, which is moving and turning with the bolt - or does that sound like bullshit?

Have sprayed a lot of WD40 in there but not fully soaked them.

Note: I haven't tried the vice option in Sticky's book yet because I don't have a vice and bench set up at the moment. Any other options?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[Angry Bloke]

Yes it sounds like they are siezed in the bushes

A combination of heat, lube and hammer is usually enough but at a push i have drilled them out in the past.

Time consuming and frustrating but you'll get there.

[TheSeeker]

Yes it sounds like they are siezed in the bushes

A combination of heat, lube and hammer is usually enough but at a push i have drilled them out in the past.

Time consuming and frustrating but you'll get there.

Mine required a lot of heat but I think it was the expansion/cooling/expansion/cooling that finally separated the bolt from the bush.



Be careful if you try a vice, I broke mine putting too much leverage on the handle.



After breaking the vice I rigged this up :-



Several minutes of heat and then soak in PlusGas then try and tighten the clamp. Repeat all afternoon. As horrible jobs go this one is second only to removing the bottom steering race.

Best regards

Ben

[Toddy]

Or getting the plastic top hats out of LI forks with a welding rod when they are stuck in

[TheSeeker]

Or getting the plastic top hats out of LI forks with a welding rod when they are stuck in

Oh yes, good one. Especially if you did like me and welded the upper damper brackets on without removing the links and springs. The melted plastic is really hard to get out.

Top tip. Rebuild your forks before you respray!! I'm going to have to find a matching touch up paint for my GP as I've scraped paint off the forks with the spring compressor.

Ben

[dirtyhandslopez]

I have also seen it happen whereby's the side spacer washers cut a small groove into the bolt, making it nearly impossible to remove. If I recall, I think I removed the bolt head and tried to remove from the other direction.

[soulsurfer]

Be carful not to bend the bottom of the forks if using hammers etc.

[dapper]

Or getting the plastic top hats out of LI forks with a welding rod when they are stuck in

Oh yes, good one. Especially if you did like me and welded the upper damper brackets on without removing the links and springs. The melted plastic is really hard to get out.

Top tip. Rebuild your forks before you respray!! I'm going to have to find a matching touch up paint for my GP as I've scraped paint off the forks with the spring compressor.

Ben

If you get an old 1Litre plastic milk carton and cut a piece out, it fits very snugly over your forks so the fork spring compressor doesn't scratch your shiny new paintwork. I had a photo once, but must have deleted it

[shocky]

Be carful not to bend the bottom of the forks if using hammers etc.

mmm is that why there bent anyway im taking them there next week (prob thursday) if your in no real rush (and will save postage )i can bring them to wicksteed on the 14th feb

[TheSeeker]

If you get an old 1Litre plastic milk carton and cut a piece out, it fits very snugly over your forks so the fork spring compressor doesn't scratch your shiny new paintwork. I had a photo once, but must have deleted it

That's a good idea. I might have thought of something similar eventually but I was too excited after painting it and wanted to get all back together as soon as I could.

Ben