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View Full Version : Stuck spring in fork shock - Help required



A&R
8th July 2012, 14:34
After somebody with a bit more knowledgae than me. (Danger ?)
Still got the honda CRF 250x - 2004 which has showa forks.

Right decided to do the shock seals as they were leaking copious amounts of oil and thought I would also look at the springs and see how they measure up to specs. I haven't done any maintenance on the shocks for the last 50ish hours. Simple enough I thought. So managed to strip the shock apart - will need a new set of bushes as removed half the teflon on these in the process. :facepalm:

However, that aside, one of the shocks I cannot get the spring out of - it's just stuck. Tried pulling it out with a made up hook and pushing from the other end with a long screwdriver but just can't get it to budge. I was wondering whether I could release the spring by removing the axle end of the fork off the tube. There is a grub screw holding it on so took that out . After heating it up and holding in the vice and trying to turn the tube (with a oil filter chain'wrench) its still won't budge either. Bit scared of creasing the tube so don't want to hold that in the vice and try and turn the axle end.

Anybody have any idea how to get the spring out? or how to get the axle end off the tube ?

ktm84mxc
8th July 2012, 15:05
Sounds like its hooked in there on something iike the damper rod .
you normally follow the procedure of loosen fork caps while still in clamps, remove front wheel and brake caliper, drain forks of oil, rattle gun the bottom cone/bolt loose at the fork base, clamp in vice on axle point[ strongest ] remove top cap and spring, compress the forks, fully remove the bottom bolt, now remove damping adjuster rod[inside the stanchion] , pull apart it requires a firm tug . clean up the oil with parts cleaner and check seals etc for wear.
reassembly is the reverse use a thick piece of plastic bag to help slide the stanchion into the slider as this protect the new seals.
It's easy once you've done it a few times.

ducatilover
8th July 2012, 15:15
Has it got a damper rod? If so, un-do the nut that holds the valve assembly thingy in, invert the foks and it'll be above/inside the axle hole

vr4king
8th July 2012, 19:39
Sounds like someone has done what has been done to mine

The cap screws that hold the fork guards on are different lenghts and if the longer one is put in the wrong hole it generates a little dent in the body and in turn makes the spring a right bitch to get out

Allthough I dont have a cure as I gave up and left mine in im sure a google search will bring up something.I would stay away from using heat or at least be very carefull with it.

barty5
8th July 2012, 22:24
have you tried to hold the fork and turn the spring as its a coil sorts like unscrewing it if is caught on something as stated above by indent could work???

A&R
10th July 2012, 21:07
Sounds like someone has done what has been done to mine

The cap screws that hold the fork guards on are different lenghts and if the longer one is put in the wrong hole it generates a little dent in the body and in turn makes the spring a right bitch to get out

Allthough I dont have a cure as I gave up and left mine in im sure a google search will bring up something.I would stay away from using heat or at least be very carefull with it.



Did a bit more googling and your dead right. Longer screw has creased in the bottom of the tube and caught the spring. :(

So have managed to remove the axle bush on the end of the tube. :niceone::banana: Needed lots of heat and ice! (heat on bush:sweatdrop, ice in tube:cold:) Think it was loctited on too. Anyway, I have managed to screw the spring out. :2thumbsup as Barty suggested and have just beaten out the dent that the screw made in the tube using hammer and bit of steel tube in.:bash: So all is now good and just finished putting it all back together so thanks for all your help VR4king and Barty5.:niceone::beer::done: