I'm having a hard time getting the damper rod out of my forks. The rod just spins when I try to loosen the bottom allen bolt. I read in the Haynes manual you can make a tool to shove down there to wedge against one of the flat surfaces to hold it in place. I read elsewhere you can force a broom handle or dowel down in there to hold it in place, and then hit the bolt with an impact driver. Is there a better way that I'm not aware of? Thanks in advance for any input.
I use a butterfly impact. Zips them right out.
Cut the L off of an allen wrench. "Adapt" it to an impact gun. Tap the trigger a couple of times. It will be out very quickly.
put the spring back in, and the cap. put pressure on the fork leg and use an impact, or butterfly impact, to get it out.
I bought a set of these last year, they have been very good. not ball nose so you can really lay into them. good for allen bolts on cases as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10072A-Drive-Extra-Socket/dp/B08JXRZ6J5/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3NXIF97JAO3DE&keywords=allen%2Bkey%2Bsockets%2Blong&qid=1674398113&sprefix=allen%2Bkey%2Bsockets%2Blong%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-6&th=1
amazon isn't my normal go-to on tools, but these have been great.
I have used a Gator Grip socket with long extensions to good effect...
I should have been more detailed in my 1st reply. Butterfly impact with a suitable Allen head socket.
I bought a "long reach" flat blade screwdriver at Chinese Freight. Ground the tip a bit and it makes a good wedge to hold the rod, inserted down from the top of the tube.
(https://i.ibb.co/3rBmJDS/F2-D1-A515-2-DA2-4974-90-E0-5-F325-F9-D8805.jpg)
Too late now, but NEXT time, loosen all the fasteners BEFORE the forks come off the bike. That way the spring holds the damper rod in place and the top triple holds the fork to remove the cap.
Thanks for all the suggestions everybody! It turns out I had everything I needed; Impact wrench and correct size impact allen socket just long enough. I wedged a broom handle in there to try first, with the end cut at an angle - and it zipped right out (like you all said). Probably could have skipped the broom handle.
Yup that will do it.
I tried Gator Grips in the past and sometimes the socket was too big to fit in the fork tube.