How to remove fork tube bushing???

[JohnB1953]

Ok I am having a major bad day. I started to assemble my fork tubes on my 1100 and had a major brain lapse and installed the fork bushing first . How can I get it out with out wrecking the fork leg? Thanks John

 

[mcgovern61]

It has been a loooong time since I did it, but I seem to remember that we just used the fork lower as a jack hammer and just kept pushing it in and out until the bushings came out.

 

[JohnB1953]

That would work if they were together but they have been removed and cleaned. For some reason I put the bushing in before the fork tube . Now I need to remove the bushing somehow to install in the correct order and I don't know how in the world I am going to get the bushing out now.

 

[mcgovern61]

How far down into the fork did you put it? A valve spring pulling tool might be able to fit through the hole.

 

[Ansimp]

I would be inclined to cut the bush and order new ones rather than run the risk of damaging the fork housing

 

[Steve83]

There are tools for removing bushings and bearings, basically backwards gear pullers. Some Autozone stores will loan them, with a deposit. Unfortunately, it will probably damage the bushing in the process.

You could also cut through the bushing with a chisel or a Dremel and pry it out. I don't know if there's a non-destructive way to get them out...

 

[Ansimp]

Steve83 » Sun May 15, 2016 5:26 am[/url]":lkpw0h73]
There are tools for removing bushings and bearings, basically backwards gear pullers. Some Autozone stores will loan them, with a deposit. Unfortunately, it will probably damage the bushing in the process.

You could also cut through the bushing with a chisel or a Dremel and pry it out. I don't know if there's a non-destructive way to get them out...

+1

 

[JohnB1953]

Problem solved! I found an old tail pipe expander (from Harbor Freight) I was able to insert it into the leg past the bushing expand it as far as I could and still move it back and forth. I then took a round rod and went in from the bolt hole in the bottom of the leg and centered it up on the end of the expander and with a few well placed taps of hammer it came out. Now second question it did score the bushing I have a used set of legs (damanged) would I dare to use the bushing out of that one or should I just bite the bullet and order 2 new bushings?

 

[Ansimp]

2 new bushings for me unless the majority of the bush looks perfect.

 

[dan filipi]

Wouldn't any damage in that bushing surface possibly damage the polished fork surface?

 

[JohnB1953]

Well I decided not to do a half as. job and ordered 2 new bushings.

 

[Ansimp]

JohnB1953 » Sun May 15, 2016 10:13 am[/url]":10gufafs]
Well I decided not to do a half as. job and ordered 2 new bushings.

:clapping:

 

[made2care]

I did the same thing due to being distracted. Do not attempt to dremmel, it will cut the fork tube no matter how careful you are. You will have to fashion a mini crow bar of sorts. I went down to my local hardware store and found the smallest pry bar i could find, then had to grind it to make it work, but I managed to get it out. I also had to place a wooden dowel inside the tube for leverage.
Note to self, when rebuilding forks, plan for no distractions .

 

[bronko37]

JohnB1953 » Sat May 14, 2016 7:13 pm[/url]":1q5qiwfa]
Well I decided not to do a half as. job and ordered 2 new bushings.

Any job thats worth doing is worth taking the necessary steps to do it correctly. You chose wisely...