How hard is it to remove fork cap nuts?
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From: SWFL
How hard is it to remove fork cap nuts?
I need to change the compression spring on my Racetech emulators in my FXR forks, which means I have to pull them out of the forks.
Ive never disassembled a fork before - well, technically this is only taking the cap off, while leaving the forks installed in the trees. So today just to get a feel for it, I put an adjustable on one and gave it a tug, just to see how it feels. I had to put more torque on it then I was comfortable w/o asking. Are they that tight? I realize they will be under spring pressure, but the spring preload was only using 1 spacers so I figure its not under that much tension. But I dont want to risk Fing up the caps if its too tight for an adjustable wrench and I should order the right size socket. (Of course Home Depot didnt have a 35mm or 1 3/8 socket when I just rode by).
So are fork caps pretty tight, and is it acceptable to use an adjustable wrench on them? Note that they were off a few weeks ago when the shop installed the racetech springs and emulators. Racetech gave me incorrect info on which spring to use, is why Im in this situation.
Ive never disassembled a fork before - well, technically this is only taking the cap off, while leaving the forks installed in the trees. So today just to get a feel for it, I put an adjustable on one and gave it a tug, just to see how it feels. I had to put more torque on it then I was comfortable w/o asking. Are they that tight? I realize they will be under spring pressure, but the spring preload was only using 1 spacers so I figure its not under that much tension. But I dont want to risk Fing up the caps if its too tight for an adjustable wrench and I should order the right size socket. (Of course Home Depot didnt have a 35mm or 1 3/8 socket when I just rode by).
So are fork caps pretty tight, and is it acceptable to use an adjustable wrench on them? Note that they were off a few weeks ago when the shop installed the racetech springs and emulators. Racetech gave me incorrect info on which spring to use, is why Im in this situation.
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From: NW AR
They can be pretty snug. I like to use the right tool for the job. I have done it with a very large adjustable wrench when I had to, but I suggest getting the right socket and a breaker bar.
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From: SWFL
Thanks.
Dirt don't hurt
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From: Haslet Texas
I need to change the compression spring on my Racetech emulators in my FXR forks, which means I have to pull them out of the forks.
Ive never disassembled a fork before - well, technically this is only taking the cap off, while leaving the forks installed in the trees. So today just to get a feel for it, I put an adjustable on one and gave it a tug, just to see how it feels. I had to put more torque on it then I was comfortable w/o asking. Are they that tight? I realize they will be under spring pressure, but the spring preload was only using 1 spacers so I figure its not under that much tension. But I dont want to risk Fing up the caps if its too tight for an adjustable wrench and I should order the right size socket. (Of course Home Depot didnt have a 35mm or 1 3/8 socket when I just rode by).
So are fork caps pretty tight, and is it acceptable to use an adjustable wrench on them? Note that they were off a few weeks ago when the shop installed the racetech springs and emulators. Racetech gave me incorrect info on which spring to use, is why Im in this situation.
Ive never disassembled a fork before - well, technically this is only taking the cap off, while leaving the forks installed in the trees. So today just to get a feel for it, I put an adjustable on one and gave it a tug, just to see how it feels. I had to put more torque on it then I was comfortable w/o asking. Are they that tight? I realize they will be under spring pressure, but the spring preload was only using 1 spacers so I figure its not under that much tension. But I dont want to risk Fing up the caps if its too tight for an adjustable wrench and I should order the right size socket. (Of course Home Depot didnt have a 35mm or 1 3/8 socket when I just rode by).
So are fork caps pretty tight, and is it acceptable to use an adjustable wrench on them? Note that they were off a few weeks ago when the shop installed the racetech springs and emulators. Racetech gave me incorrect info on which spring to use, is why Im in this situation.
If you use an adjustable to take off the cap nuts be prepared to round off the cap nuts.
Before I got my 1 3/8" wrench I have used a pipe wrench with a red rag on the cap nut and it didn't hurt it that I recall but I didn't like doing it with the pipe wrench.
If I were you I'd get the right wrench and a rubber mallet (what I currently use) or a socket that fits the nut.
When I use the wrench I use the rubber mallet when removing and installing the cap nuts.
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From: SWFL
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From: Tampa
No, the threads are inside the tube, and they're aligned.
I at least break the tension of the nut while still in the trees, then finish the job with the fork tube in the vice wrapped in a small rubber sheet I use for just that purpose.
I at least break the tension of the nut while still in the trees, then finish the job with the fork tube in the vice wrapped in a small rubber sheet I use for just that purpose.
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Easy enough to back off the clamp to ensure the threads release easily. Since he doesn't need to pull the tubes, he can leave the lower tree clamped so there's no concern that the tubes move.
Edit: I think I misread your post, so nevermind all that. I'd delete my comment, but I prefer to leave it as a reminder that I'm a bonehead.
Last edited by 0maha; Jun 12, 2018 at 10:19 PM.
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From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Harbor Freight has a full set of larger sockets that would suffice for fork cap removal. The caps themselves are aluminum, so they're fairly soft. I would advise against using any sort of "adjustable" wrench or stilson pipe wrench. (Yikes!)