Fork Top Chewed

pipe wrench!

 

Mole grips or a slightly smaller socket ‘persuaded’ on. Or file some flats back to take a smaller socket.

 

Hi Chuk, what you need is an Irwin bolt grip nut remover expansion set. Toolstation sell these sets for under £21

 

It shouldn’t be massively tight. I don’t think you need to buy any special tools. I’d leave the fork in the bike and loosen the top yolk clamp bolt, leaving the lower one tight to hold the fork and stop it revolving. Then use either a pipe wrench, molegrips, or as suggested file some flats so a smaller six sided socket will go on. If it’s still a bit stubborn you could remove the top yolk completely and apply some heat to the top of the stanchion to expand it a bit and consider some penetrating oil(prior to any heat) on the joint but bear in mind there’s an o ring in there so any oil won’t get far.

 

Just make sure that top yoke bolt is completely slackened off before going any further.

 

Actually yes that’s a better idea. Raise the fork through the top yolk so it too can hold the fork more securely making sure when you retighten the bolt it’s well clear of the threads of the nut. Good man Replace the knackered fork top when you’re all done.

 

Hi Chuck, Have you managed to get that fork cap off yet?
If not a few tips that might help, make sure that the fork is clamped in the yokes, make sure the socket is as good as you can get and when attempting to undo it use equal force on both sides of the nut i.e. use a 'T' bar rather than a ratchet which only pulls on one side. Using a ratchet or breaker bar pulling on one side is the easiest way to damage these caps. They seem to be very shallow so they don't go very far into a socket.

I have found that the best way to loosen these nuts is with a 'windy' gun or other impact wrench, making sure that you keep downward pressure on the gun so it does not slip.

Best of luck!!

 

Hi Chuck, Have you managed to get that fork cap off yet?
If not a few tips that might help, make sure that the fork is clamped in the yokes, make sure the socket is as good as you can get and when attempting to undo it use equal force on both sides of the nut i.e. use a 'T' bar rather than a ratchet which only pulls on one side. Using a ratchet or breaker bar pulling on one side is the easiest way to damage these caps. They seem to be very shallow so they don't go very far into a socket.

I have found that the best way to loosen these nuts is with a 'windy' gun or other impact wrench, making sure that you keep downward pressure on the gun so it does not slip.

Best of luck!!

 

Another trick I've had success with on chewed up hex heads is to find a suitable sized female Torx socket that will hammer on nice and tight.