shattered fork spring guide yz 426 f

[eunos]

Can anyone offer an explaination as to why when servicing my sons 01 426 we found the top half of the white fork spring guide shattered into 100s of pieces the forks were standard in every respect except for the addition of 2 pre-load adjustment washers. Also the plastic pieces are now jamming the top of the damper rod making it impossible to fit a damper rod holder therefore, is it safe to heat the base of the fork leg casting in order to free off the base valve?

 

[John Curea]

eunos,

Use a impact gun with a 14mm hex to loosen the compression adjuster, short bursts to prevent galling the aluminum threads. You dont need a cartridge holding tool with this method.

Take Care, John

 

[Bud-Man]

As John stated, the impact gun should do the trick. If the threads are stubborn and the cartridge spins free, re-install the forkspring and cap. Flip the fork upside down and push down on the fork while using the impact gun. the spring puts force on the cartridge which helps hold it in place. As for why the guide was damaged......did you install the preload spacers under the spring or on top? If they were installed on top of the spring, they likely shifted to the side and interferred with the operation of the elastomer bottom out system. If they were installed under the spring, I'm not sure why the guide was damaged. Good luck!

 

[Mud]

Eunos,

Most times when using the impact wrench method the cartridge will start to spin also. All it takes is a little pulling pressure on the cartridge to stop it spinning. You'll be able to feel when it starts to free!! :D

Muddy.

 

[eunos]

Thanks guys for your suggestions which all worked .the mpact gun was sat on the bench beside me while I tried to undo the base nut with allen key which son had started when I took over.Guess its true what they say about insanity being hereditary you get it from your kids!
Solved the mystery of the shattered guide it seems it had been put in upside down at the last service:mad: :mad: