what tools are REALLY needed to service forks? i have all the new parts, the fork oil, dust seals, oil seals, bushings, all that...and i have the 954 service manual and it says i need vice grips and a special fork tool and all. is all that REALLY necessary? do i absolutely need that "fork tool?" if so, where can i get one? just so you know, im servicing my forks because both are leaking a little bit, im assuming my seals are blown. also, my front brakes make sort of a whiney sound. im hoping its cause the pads are wet from the fork oil...??? the pads have been on there for at least 8 months...

 

I took mine apart using conventional tools. Removing everything is pretty simple as long as you follow the service manuals. I fabricated a seal driver tool out of some ABS Pipe that i has laying around (Think it was 1.5" diameter but not sure). It went in fine but if i know if i'm going to do it a few more times i would buy the seal driver tool.

 

ok, so i cowboyed up and decided to try my forks myself. i got the forks off the bike, and now i am stuck. i cant get the lock nut off of the damper rod adjust case. the picture in the manual shows to use two wrenches, but i cant get a good grip on the rod adjust case. i just keep stripping the threads on it. i've tried all different types of tools, and i just cant get a good grip on it. am i understanding the manual write? anyone ever got stuck in this situation?

 

when i did mine all i took loose was the bottom allen bolt 8mm i think then the tubes will seperate after removing the snap ring. just give them a good tug. you do not need to take the top caps off at this time.get the tubes seperated,drained and new parts installed. then slide the tubes back together(make sure the keeper washer is over the spring correctly) bolt the allen back together. lossen the top cap and refill with the correct amount of fluid. 17.3 oz if i remember right have to look at manual.you can pour it in easy with a "ratio rite" hope this helps

 

Could you post pictures of what your talking about? I has issues with the preload adjuster and the top cap.

 

ok, so i did what skip954 said on my other fork. (the one that i hadnt stripped) and it took me about 10 or 15 mins to completely service my fork (change the oil seal, both bushings, dust seal, and the oil). that method is a lot easier. the hardest thing is getting the oil seal and bushing in. i made a seal driver out of pvc pipe and it worked. anyways, i jacked up my first fork i was working on. i put the slider bushing in and the oil seal but forgot to put fork bushing in first. i couldnt get them out either because the fork bushing wasnt there to force them out like normal...sooo...i had to get a dremil and cut out the oil seal and the slider bushing...talk about scary. i was certain i was gonna jack up my tubes. but, after a lil bit of sweat i got them back apart. im taking this as a learning experiece and i will probably do my forks again if i get that seal driver. thanks for the help.

albigman if you would like me to still post pics let me know.

 

wtf. dude. this **** is seriously pissin me off now. i put my forks back on my bike, everything seemed ok. until i start to put the front tire on and i notice that one of my forks is a little bit longer than the other. not a whole lot, just about a half inch maybe. i could force my front axle in, but im not sure if i want to do that. any advise? i took my forks back off and i think one of the springs is just a little bit stretched out. i dont think it would be a big deal but i want second and third opinions. these are my forks we're talking about. if ppl say i shouldnt force the axle in, then can i compensate for the length by just keeping one of the forks a little higher than the other?

 

anyone?

 

It is normal each fork will be slightly different. Once you put the wheel on it will stabilize both forks.

 

I have a set of forks for sale....