Subject: Help needed with tear down of front shocks
Author: Prusnek
Date: Jul 27, 2005, 6:21 AM
Post ID: 1719214025
Bob:
If you're replacing the head bearings, you should also replace the
races, these are what normally get beat up, especially the lower one.
You drive the lower race out with a punch from above, as I remember I
made up a tool for it that had a sharp edge on it to catch the edge of
the race. It's nothing but a round rod modified with a grinder to fit
down the neck. To replace the races, you pound them back in until they
seat, you'll know when they do by the sound/feel. Use a block of wood or
a big socket if you have one to drive it in straight.
The chrome piece needs a special tool if you don't want to mess up
the chrome. If you're lucky, a strap wrench used down low on it will
work, but more likely you'll need the tool that has 4 fingers that fits
over the fork and engages the 4 slots at the bottom inside of the
housing. I made one out of a piece of pipe, I'll send you a pic offline
and lend you mine if you like.
Once you get the housing off, you'll encounter a round spring clip
that holds the seals in. Look for a small hole in the side of the fork
leg threads and push/pry it out with a awl through the hole or you'll be
chasing it around all day.
Then you'll need another tool to get the whole thing together again,
basically a modified top fork bolt on a rod that threads into the fork
and allows you to pull the fork up through the fork cover and triple
trees. Some folks have threaded a a broomstick in there with some success.
I can send you all of the above when you're ready to get into it.
John Prusnek
http://myweb.core.com/photos/spajohn@raex.com/MotoGuzziDecals
| Head bearings need to be replaced. What is easiest way to remove the lower bearing? Do I need to replace the races in the stem housing? How is best way to remove the races, is there a stop to ensure proper seating of new race? Now that everything is apart, how do I remove the chrome spring housing from the lower part of shock/damper? Big pipe wrench or is there a trick or tool needed? Any helpful hints for a first timer with rebuilding shocks/dampers? BOB |