Broken front fork pinch bolt HELP
What torque did you do it up to?
Novice
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: waterford mi
can repair any broken bolt thou without seeing it can be difficult to help if bolt was over tightened and broke it is a simple fix if it broke due to being bottomed out the procedure is different if only over tightened purchase a reverse drill bit must make sure bit is centered this is so very important as drill bit starts to cut it will back the broken piece out reverse drill bits must be used in counter clockwise direction
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 150
From: ct
can repair any broken bolt thou without seeing it can be difficult to help if bolt was over tightened and broke it is a simple fix if it broke due to being bottomed out the procedure is different if only over tightened purchase a reverse drill bit must make sure bit is centered this is so very important as drill bit starts to cut it will back the broken piece out reverse drill bits must be used in counter clockwise direction
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
Don't give in to the temptation to substitute a grade 8 bolt for the grade 5 bolt in there now. Break a grade 8 and next time you won't be drilling it out.
This has happened to me twice now. These days I replace the fork pinch bolts during a full service every two-three years or 20,000 miles.
edit: Didn't notice this was a zombie thread I'd already posted this in. Sorry.
This has happened to me twice now. These days I replace the fork pinch bolts during a full service every two-three years or 20,000 miles.
edit: Didn't notice this was a zombie thread I'd already posted this in. Sorry.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jun 8, 2015 at 01:46 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
And if we're going over it in a zombie thread anyway, put some blue locktite on the bolt when you put it back together. I lost one once 50 miles from nowhere in the Texas Panhandle. It was not a fun limp into Lamar, CO and I still get bitching about that little excursion 29 years later.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 429
From: E-town, Alberta
That's a pretty good idea. Broke mine too but only in half, sprayed it down with WD-40, put a little heat on it and got a vice grip on it and slowly went back and forth till she broke free
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 243
From: NC
I'm in the process of re-working my front end. I had not thought of replacing these bolts but I think I will now. Thanks for the info.
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