Ok, bearings done, next job forks.

Right hand fork, one of the bolts that holds the spindle in has rounded its head. You can see the other side of it cleanly. My thoughts were to drill it out from the back side, and hopefully it will break free and undo itself. Any thoughts on this approach?

Also, the seals are welded in. And I mean properly. They haven't been changed in years and the rubber has worn, cracked ad expanded holding them in very tightly. It was hard enough getting the dust seals off. Any suggestions as to how to get them out? I've tried hot water. I have a heat gun (but not used it) but no blow torch.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Doc

RWU forks? Remove the springs and the damper rod/cartridge from the fork lowers (undo the retaining bolt before removing the springs!).
Remove the retaining circlip above the seal then <haynes> clamp the lower in a vice, grasp the stanchion, push the stanchion fully into the lower then pull it sharply to displace the seal </haynes>.
In reality it usually needs repeated and prolonged tugging and smashing of the stanchion against the seal to get it to budge, but I've never known it not to work! Brutal but effective.

Always assuming you can get the frigging damper rod bolt undone - spring pressure is NOT enough! AARGH!

Originally Posted by Doc

RWU forks? Remove the springs and the damper rod/cartridge from the fork lowers (undo the retaining bolt before removing the springs!).
Remove the retaining circlip above the seal then <haynes> clamp the lower in a vice, grasp the stanchion, push the stanchion fully into the lower then pull it sharply to displace the seal </haynes>.
In reality it usually needs repeated and prolonged tugging and smashing of the stanchion against the seal to get it to budge, but I've never known it not to work! Brutal but effective.

I've never known it not to work either, but this one seems not to be budging. It seems to have corroded in, much like the wheel bearings. Will try again. And again.

Originally Posted by RiceBurner

Always assuming you can get the frigging damper rod bolt undone - spring pressure is NOT enough! AARGH!

Wasn't a problem for me. Luckily.

On one at least.

Yay, one down one to go.

Originally Posted by Big Pete

on the pinch bolt, can you cut it in half through the clamp slot? Once the load is off the bottom part may well unwind pretty easily (this is a suitable place for an easyout)

No. Its done up too tight. Its the head that has shredded a bit, and I think that drilling it from the back will break the lock.

Last seized fork seal I ended up Dremeling out. You do have to use a bit of care but once I'd ground through the metal ring the rubber outer part of the seal protected the housing and it came out easily. Obviously you then wash it all out and clean it up before fitting new seals.

Re the pinch bolt, if you drill off the head it's very likely the bolt will then undo normally - provided you can get some purchase on it (like an easy out). It will have a plain shank though so it'll only come out one way (the way it went in).