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I had a go at getting the lowers off my rebas earlier, but had to give up as I was scared about carrying on (to my eternal shame).
The problem is these bloody hollow lowers. I can't see whether I had managed to release the lowers properly. I assume that no oil draining is the sign that I hadn't managed to do it. I was hitting fairly hard by the end, but the threads still seemed to be stuck at the bottom. Instead of just losing my rag and really whacking it, I chickened out and just put the bolts back in and the fork back into the bike. I had definitely remembered to depressurise the fork fully through the solo air valve. How hard do you have to hit them? My old forks with the shaft bolts at the bottom of the lowers didn't need to be tapped particularly hard.
I'm very wary of pulling on the lowers if the bond at the bottom is not broken as I don't want to pull anything in the upper part of the assembly apart.
So, has anyone got any tips for these stupid bastard lower legs where you practically need a torch to see anything? The forks are pretty new, I just wanted to make sure that there is enough oil in the lowers and some fork grease on the wiper seals before the weather turns, but now I'm back at square one. I assume that if I didn't get any oil drainage, I have at least not past a point of no return(?)
You tap the shaft bolts so they release from their press fit in the lowers, once you can push them inwards easily with your finger, they're free. You should be able to pull the lowers off the uppers then, I don't think you can break anything doing this.
are you definitely taking the nuts off before you pull the lowers off? I've tapped and then pulled for ages before realising I hadn't taken the bloody nuts off yet. But a good tap and a good sharp pull of the lowers should get them off, if not try putting the bolts fully on then repeat the few turns looser and tap again. Maybe you've not undone them enough and you aren't quite getting the shaft out, think its 4 turns in the manual?
I'm probably not getting them free. I'll try four turns. The issue is that I can't see to tell if the bolts have gone 'up inside'.
When I've plucked up the courage I'll have another go, or just accept I'm a wuss and spend £100 getting someone else to do it 😥
The really irritating thing is these lowers. They probably save about 100g of weight, yet make servicing the damned things considerably more fiddly.
What are you hitting them with? I use a long t shaped Allan key and a big old mallet and don't find it any harder than the old ones.
Allen key attachment with an extender bit on a multi head screwdriver handle. Hitting with a rubber mallet, so maybe the tap is not sharp enough?
I just go to pieces when anything shows any slight sign of needing force as I don't want to irreparably damage something 😕
There is an alternative procedure as well in the manual: undo the bolts completely then screw them in 2-3 turns.
You holding the steerer in a work stand?
Assuming you've got one hand holding the tool and one holding the hammer, try inverting the forks, holding the lower leg and tapping, it's a bit easier this way stops the lower moving with the nut. I used to find it a bit of pain until I realised it would be better to hold the leg, now comes straight off. As said undo a couple more turns.
What nick said, and if it really comes to it stick your foot in the crown and have someone pull the lowers as you hit the bolts. Mostly though, just hit harder.
The shock absorbing hammer won't be helping.
Is it because the steerer's to long? 😉
Take the bolts out altogeher, then screw them back in until there is only 4mm of threads showing.
Hit with a hammer, composite hammers are best, rubber mallet wont shock it out of the seat!
Similar to my problem last week, I had to absolutely wallop the bloody things to break the press fit bond.
Is it because the steerer's to long?
Ha ha, very good. Except that should be 'to[u]o[/u] long'. Always, always make sure you can spell before being a smart-ass.
Shock absorbing rubber mallet is a very daft fail on my part. I'm going to give it a go with some more 'tappy' tools next time.
On the plus side, I thought I'd nip out for a quick blast this evening instead of mulling over my maintenance ineptitude. It was one of those quick blasts that last just over an hour and the force was with me. Lovely way to finish the weekend.
Now 'to long' for next weekend.
P.S. I have cut the steerer down.
I'd rather be shite at spelling than have to pay someone to service a fork. 🙂
Glad to hear it.
Headset sorted?
I'd rather be shite at spelling than have to pay someone to service a fork.
I wouldn't.
Headset did get sorted, seems to be sealed better than a duck's arse, so high hopes there.
I'll take a pic just for you when I'm not too busy riding it, or correcting spelling and grammar (so there's an incentive for you to try harder in future). 😛
I'll take a pic just for you
Not sure my eye's could take it. 😆
Not sure my eye's could take it.
Apostrophe!
You are the gift that keeps on giving.
Looks like the pic will have to wait until I'm less busy with you. 🙄
Thank **** for that.
Good news on the Reba service. Managed to get lowers off easily using more tappity tools. Good job I did, way less than 5ml of oil came out of each leg and both foam rings had been folded on installation. Looked like a bit of a Friday afternoon build at the SRAM factory. Oh, and a hope freehub seal installation tool is also the perfect fit to install rockshox wiper seals.
Fork re-oiled, seals cleaned and greased, lovely job!