Fork Caps - Socket Size ???
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 3
From: NorCal
Fork Caps - Socket Size ???
My Drop-In springs may arrive tomorrow. I'd sure like to pick up the socket for the fork caps on the way home from work. What size might that be for the 2009 FXDB ??? While I'm asking - any "tricks" to the install ???
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 145
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From: Alabama
1 3/8". Picked mine up at tractor supply for around $6. If you don't have a 3/4 drive ratchet you can pick up an adapter to go from 1/2" to 3/4" for about the same money. You don't need a pull bar, they aren't that tight.
Follow the directions. After you get the cap broke loose take your socket off of your ratchet and using the socket turn it by hand keeping your noggin out of harms way. Theres tension on the springs even with the front tire off of the ground. It's not gonna knock your hand off but it will try to jump out of there. You will need a coat hangar to fish your stock spring out and you will pull some oil out with the spring so have a rag handy. Don't worry too much as it's a really simple install. Can you tell I just did this last week?
Follow the directions. After you get the cap broke loose take your socket off of your ratchet and using the socket turn it by hand keeping your noggin out of harms way. Theres tension on the springs even with the front tire off of the ground. It's not gonna knock your hand off but it will try to jump out of there. You will need a coat hangar to fish your stock spring out and you will pull some oil out with the spring so have a rag handy. Don't worry too much as it's a really simple install. Can you tell I just did this last week?
Last edited by Yldtang; Mar 23, 2010 at 06:01 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Madison, MS
I just used a big adjustable wrench - had a hard time finding a 1 3/8 socket. First tube i did was "butter". Had the cap off and the springs replaced in minutes. The second tube was a bitch. The factory either over torqued or somehow misthreaded the cap/tube (bought bike new). THought for a minute it might be reverse threaded (it's not). Finally got the cap off and found the threads destroyed. 
Had to order a new one and wait a week for it to come in. If not for that little snafu it would have taken no more than an hour. And oh yeah, i love the lowered front end! 
Had to order a new one and wait a week for it to come in. If not for that little snafu it would have taken no more than an hour. And oh yeah, i love the lowered front end!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,166
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From: la
http://www.mactools.com/product/tabi...mn08-0139.aspx It's 35MM or 1 3/8" they both fit. Make sure your fluid level is correct. On mine the levels were off about 4 ounces.
Last edited by paul s; Mar 23, 2010 at 02:20 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Delaware/Colorado
I just used a big adjustable wrench - had a hard time finding a 1 3/8 socket. First tube i did was "butter". Had the cap off and the springs replaced in minutes. The second tube was a bitch. The factory either over torqued or somehow misthreaded the cap/tube (bought bike new). THought for a minute it might be reverse threaded (it's not). Finally got the cap off and found the threads destroyed. Had to order a new one and wait a week for it to come in. If not for that little snafu it would have taken no more than an hour. And oh yeah, i love the lowered front end!
Had to order a new one and wait a week for it to come in. If not for that little snafu it would have taken no more than an hour. And oh yeah, i love the lowered front end! Trending Topics
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From: Palm Harbor fl.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
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From: USA
What do you guys use to push them back in there and get the caps started back on? I was thinking of changing the oil in my forks for some heavier oil and was wonderinfg if a fluid extractor would work versus removing the fork tube and inverting?
Here's some info from ***dyna models metric sizes database*** :
2003 Dyna models:
fork tube cap p/n 45996-87 .................................................. ............. 35mm 6-point socket
2007 Dyna models:
fork tube cap p/n 45996-87 .................................................. ............. 35mm 6-point socket contribution of: 2007fxdc
Here's a tool you could use: 35mm forks cap nut socket tool (link)
and some links from the *HOW TO * under fifty bux* thread:
post# 1167 fork service (part 1) ................................... mud
post# 1168 fork service (part 2) ................................... mud
post# 1169 fork service (part 3) ................................... mud
post# 1191 ..... fork service (part 4) .................................. mud
FXD2003Rider
2003 Dyna models:
fork tube cap p/n 45996-87 .................................................. ............. 35mm 6-point socket
2007 Dyna models:
fork tube cap p/n 45996-87 .................................................. ............. 35mm 6-point socket contribution of: 2007fxdc
Here's a tool you could use: 35mm forks cap nut socket tool (link)
and some links from the *HOW TO * under fifty bux* thread:
post# 1167 fork service (part 1) ................................... mud
post# 1168 fork service (part 2) ................................... mud
post# 1169 fork service (part 3) ................................... mud
post# 1191 ..... fork service (part 4) .................................. mud
FXD2003Rider
