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(Fig.1) The
Seals While the forx were in bits I wanted to
replace both the oil and dust seals (yep thats them on
the left). These can be found for about £14 in good bike
shops or ordered from a host of places online. One Caution: make sure you know the
stantion width of the forx your buying them for.
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(Fig.2) The
Forx Well here you have it, your standard, common
or garden Z1. Its the MCR version and I think I've used
the lock-out feature about 5 times in 2 years.. bonus!
For this 'article' were gonna strip the thing RIGHT down
to a pile of bits! That way you will know how to get at
and replace ANY part of the fork.
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(Fig.3) Remove
Pre-load nobs The first things to be removed are
the lock-out lever and both pre-load adjuster nobs. The
Lockout lever (left leg only) is held on with a very
small button-head socket screw screw (A). The two nobs are each fixed
with a small set-screw (B)
which also needs to be loosened (But NOT removed) with a
hex key.
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(Fig.4) Remove
stop-ring Under the preload nobs on both sides
you'll find a small sprung stop-ring that stops the
cartridge being wound into the leg too far. These need
to be removed with a small flat screwdriver inserted
into one of the two gaps you will see. Just twist the
screwdriver gently and the stop-ring will pop
out.
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(Fig.5) Unscrew the
caps Now you should be able to fit a 7/16th's
socket over each cap and unscrew them. Note: It's possible to undo the
caps with an adjustable spanner but I seriously
recommend that you don't, the Ali is rather soft and
easy to damage. (It probably doesn't need
to be said but the caps unscrew ANTIclockwise!)
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(Fig.6) Remove caps
completely When both caps are completely
unscrewed remove them and you'll be left with the
threaded tops of the piston shafts. At this point, as
the oil bath is no longer air-tight you can push the
stantions right down into the fork legs; Be warned: If you do this very fast
your likely get oil bubbling over the top, so just
gently slide them down.
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(Fig.7) Remove
Springs The springs are held in with a
reverse-threaded (left-hand / anticlockwise) check-nut
(A) and a nylon washer (B). Remove both of these and pull
the springs out over the hydraulic cartridge ends. The
springs have been immersed in the oil bath so be careful
not to drip dirty lube all over your mums sink.
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(Fig.8) Drain the
oil Note: If your
simply replacing springs and the oil is clean/new you
can ignore this step and go directly to REBUILD Old oil is
often rancid and stinks so you might want to do this
outside. Drain it into a disposable container, ideally
something with a sealable lid.
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(Fig.9) Remove
Foot-Nut The hydraulic cartridges are bolted in
with a foot-nut (A) which is
recessed inside the bottom of each leg. This nut must be
removed with a 15mm socket because a ring spanner or
similar won't reach far enough into the leg. Once the
nut is free it's possible that a small quantity of oil
may seep out.
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(Fig.10) Remove
& Drain cartridges Warning: The carts are likely to be
full of oil and if you compress the piston when the
blow-hole (A) is NOT aimed at
your drainage container, you'll probably shoot dirty oil
everywhere like I did (gimp!). So... when they ARE
aimed in the correct direction, pump the carts
repeatedly to drain all the oil.
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(Fig.11) Remove
Top-Out Springs Held between the cartridge and a
stop on the inside of each stantion is a small Top-out
spring. These should slide out easily when the fork is
tipped upside-down.
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(Fig.12) Lift out
stantions Now the innards have been removed you
can draw the stantions right out of the fork
legs. Note: These
stantions are specially coated to slide very easily
against the dust and oil seals so be careful not to
damage them in any way (i.e. don't throw them in a
gravel pit).
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(Fig.13) Prise out
dust seals The dust seals can be gently 'coaxed'
out by inserting a small flat-head screwdriver under
them and levering. Do this from several different angles
to draw them out square. If the seal gets stuck (like
one of mine did) use pliers to yank it out! Take care
not to 'stab' the or damage the inside surfaces or top
of the fork-legs though.
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(Fig.14) Remove
seal-stops The oil seals are held in with a
sprung clip that sits slightly recessed into the fork
leg. To remove these clips insert a small screwdriver
between the clip and leg-inner and lever them out as
shown. Note: The clip
should offer no resistance but if it does, again be very
careful not to stab/damage any of the
surfaces.
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(Fig.15) 'Pop' out
oil seals This seems to be the area most people
have trouble with. The oil seals are pressed tight into
the legs and need to be levered out with considerable
force. I suggest you use one of the old dust seals to
protect the top of the leg while doing this (as shown).
The seals will POP out very fast. Both of mine hit the
ceiling and left two oily marks!
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(Fig.16) Remove
washer & bushing Sat bellow oil seal is a
washer and under that a pilot bushing. Remove these
parts from both legs. Warning: The Pilot Bushing is made
from very thin aluminium and can be bent easily. This
part needs to remain in shape and un-kinked in order for
the stantions to slide inside the legs properly and
without hindrance.
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(Fig.17)
Fork-Strip complete.. Ok, so now you should have
pile of oily dirty crap requiring some cleaning.
Everything that isn't to be replaced with new parts
should be wiped down with a Teflon (PTFE) spray like
GT85, KT3 or similar. The lower fork legs will probably
be lined with a slime residue from the old oil and this
can be blasted out with the Teflon spray. If you decide
to use some heavier cleaning material like degreaser etc
be absolutely sure that it isn't going to attack the
nylon/plastic parts and stickers. If this strip and
rebuild is a rush job and you didn't have a chance to
get hold of any Teflon spray or degreaser then you *CAN*
clean everything the traditional way in the kitchen sink
with LOADS of detergent (washing-up-liquid). Be warned
though, if you decide to do it this way you must (a) be
prepared to have to use vast quantities of your mums
fairy liquid and (b) realise that every part must then
be rinsed of even the tiniest trace of detergent with
clean water. All the parts must also be totally dry
before any new oil touches them. I have often found the
oven a good place to dry out bike parts quickly
:) Once you have cleaned EVERYTHING you should have a
clean shiny pile of crap ready to be reassembled (as
show above)
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