98 FXSTC Fork Leg Problem.

[FXSTC Dave]

Hi.

I have a major problem.

I have had several spacers made for my new front wheel.
In trying them to get the right combination, so I could then go and get a tyre fitted to the
wheel and so have it ready for Friday.

I have cross threaded the bottom studs on my R/H front fork leg.

In my parts catalogue it gives PN : 459988-73, and shows them threaded at both ends,
so they must screw in and may have some threadlock used to keep them in.
There isn't anything info in the Service Manual on removing them.

My problem is how can I get the 2 studs out of the fork leg ?

Heat ? I have a little flame torch, can I use that to try and loosen any threadlock holding the studs ?
and maybe heat the fork leg, to try and remove the studs. Mole Grips on the studs trying to twist them out ?
I don't want to damage the fork leg.

Oh and to add insult to injury, the bike fell over and dented the R/H tank and broke both the front and
rear R/H indicators plus scratching the silencers and S&S air filter cover.

If I can't get the studs out and get hold of new ones and put them in the fork leg before Friday I may have
to go to Walesby on my CBR.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Steppenwulf]

Dave, any chance you can run a die over the thread to re-cut it or have you well and truly shagged the thread?

[FXSTC Dave]

Hi Jon.

I didn't think of that.

The front one is really bad that the back one is not that bad as it tightens up.

I have no dies but I know a place in town that maybe could help as they did the spacers for me.
I'd have to phone them to see if they could.

[Steppenwulf]

Take the nut so they know what size die you'll need.
If the thread is too far gone a way to get the stud out would be to put both nuts onto the damaged thread and then attempt to undo the stud by wrenching on the inner nut, using the outer as a stop. If the outer nut slips try applying some loctite to it.

As far as heat is concerned I can't see it working, you need to heat the fork and not the stud and with a small torch the heat will dissipitate too fast to do any good. If loctite has been applied to the stud try twating the stud real hard using a block of wood and a hammer before you attempt removal.

BTW sorry to hear you damaged the bike, at leat it didn't topple over and break your legs, even if that would have saved the tank, indicators etc.

[Kiwi]

four suggestions

a threadfile to clean the thread up

vice grips to get the old stud out (heat might help)

weld a nut to the offending stud and then use a long spanner (scaffold pole) to get the required leverage to unwind it

make sure your bike is supported properly so it doesn't fall over when attempting any / all of the above

[Limey_Dave]

Best bet is one of these.

4 piece Stud Puller Set*(M260) - Engine - Frost Auto Restoration Techniques

Only things that will shift Dolomite head studs.

[Gray]

Originally Posted by Limey_Dave

Best bet is one of these.

4 piece Stud Puller Set*(M260) - Engine - Frost Auto Restoration Techniques

Only things that will shift Dolomite head studs.

+1 on those stud gripping gadgets after you've tried the cleaning the thread with a die. Found that they work on head studs very well.

[dpb-RK]

Those gadgys look the biz, are they a club tool, yet

[Limey_Dave]

Originally Posted by dpb-RK

Those gadgys look the biz, are they a club tool, yet

I think for the price,anyone doing much in the way of mechanical work would do well to have their own.

Having said that,if you come back to this Dave,tell me what size you need and PM your address and I'll 1st class it Mon morning and you can return it at Walesby.

[dpb-RK]

Now that is service with a smilie