I am getting ready to rebuild the front forks on my 98 Fat Boy and have one question. When I am reassembling and I slide the tube with the damper tube and stop into the slider how do I tighten the socket head screw that holds the fork tube to the slider. To remove it I will use an impact wrench but I am afraid if I use the same impact wrench to reinstall I may over tighten and strip something.

 

I just watched the U Tube video of this the other night. The mechanic fully re-assembled the tube with the springs, spacer, and top cap before he tightened the 12mm socket screw. Seems like it worked. I will be doing the same thing in a few weeks when I get my black powder-coated lowers back from the painter.

 

Try this...
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...85464276,d.aWw

But I believe the bolt you are referring to is 14 foot lbs.

 

My HD Shop manual does not specify a torque but does say to put in the spring and apply pressure, so putting the cap on would make sense. I guess where my confusion is that the screw is going into the damper tube so wouldn't that spin? I am probably making to much out of this and just install it and see what happens. Thanks for the comments.

 

the spring tension will keep it from spinning.
then the friction of the damper to the fork slider allows you to tighten up.
(sometimes we think too much)

 

Check this place out they have very good step by step instructions for a number of things and there's a video for fork R&R's.

http://www.motorcyclemetal.com/gpage23.html

 

Last time i did mine i think it's 15-20 ft lbs and 1 drop of blue loctite. I will recommend using Race Tech bushings, fork seals and springs.

 

Thanks to all of you for your responses.