Airshaft on Pike - ...
 

[Closed] Airshaft on Pike - circlip pliers *needed*?

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I've stupidly left my circlip pliers at home and it's too late to grab a set anywhere.

I was hoping to get a quick ride in before stuff starts tomorrow, but without changing airshaft fork is way too long for my bike.

Pretty sure I can ping it off with a screwdriver, but refitting might be more of a challenge.

Anyone want to tell me from experience that I will be fine or that I should just wait for shops to open?


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:09 pm
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Wait. It's tricky enough even with the pliers.


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:14 pm
 Olly
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you WILL scratch the air shaft without them


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:17 pm
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Thanks... you may have just saved my fork from me !


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:20 pm
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Nah. You don't need them to remove the air shaft at all. You will need to take the top cap off though, so you'll need a good 24mm socket to do that. I generally remove both then clean out the inner leg by pushing a rag through it with a wooden dowel. (Wood won't damage the fork)
It's a piece of piss to push the shaft out through the top though, it's not at all necessary to remove the base. I can't for the life of me see how you'd even come close to scratching it tbh.


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:26 pm
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... got a link for doing it through the top? I was preparing to do things per manual. Sockets shouldn't be a problem, although it won't be one of those ground down flat faced ones if that matters...


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:33 pm
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Personally, I'd rather be careful with a sharp edges adjustable rather than a rounded edge socket.


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:35 pm
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Yeah you need them. PITA even with them


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:36 pm
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Onza, what I was worried about. I keep meaning to get a flatted 24mm :/


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:38 pm
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Bookmarking.


 
Posted : 22/06/2017 10:42 pm
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Peterpoddy's absolutely right,the spring can go out either way. It's easier- or less fiddly rather- to take it out the bottom imo but if I wanted to do it, and didn't have circlip pliars, I'd definitely go out the top rather than try and bodge the circlip.


 
Posted : 23/06/2017 12:51 pm
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My concern going out the top would be taking the seal past the threads.


 
Posted : 23/06/2017 9:50 pm
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My concern going out the top would be taking the seal past the threads.

Which is exactly why the manufacturer instructs it to be done by removing the circlip etc. - but there's always someone who thinks they know better.

The manuals are there for good reason - follow them.


 
Posted : 24/06/2017 10:20 am
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Also worth saying that you can't take it out from the top on a boost Pike, or the yari/Lyrik. These have a tapered stanchion with a different topcap and the piston/seal won't go through. As others have suggested, usually best to follow the manual.


 
Posted : 24/06/2017 2:50 pm