Broken fork stud - Advice appreciated - Update

[Skunkwurcx]

As the title says, I broke one of the front axle clamp studs on my Z - got too happy with the rachet after having installed a new front tire.

Anyways, fortunately it has sheared off pretty much flush with the bottom of the axle clamp, which means there should be about a half an inch left protruding from the bottom of the fork once I remove the clamp.

The plan I have for removal is to put some penetrating fluid to it and the next day put a bit of heat to it with a propane torch and then clamp onto it with some vice grips and then I hope to be able to turn it out.

Does this sound like a good idea ?

Anyone have some better ideas ?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew

[tlc]

Take leg off and work in a vice so that there is no movement in your fork bottom.
Warm the surrounding alloy and allow to cool. Coat with penetrating oil. Do this a few times before you even try to move the stud.
Then put on the grips and start to rock the stud. If it moves keep rocking back and forth until it moves freely. If not repeat the heat and pen oil. Do not under any circumstances try to force the stud, it will move eventually.

Patience is the key and the job may take a couple of days !

[hillbilly]

i welded a nut to a bolt that had snapped like that,applyed a bit of oil and heat ,while turning nut,and it came out pretty easy.dont be to eager though.

[Skunkwurcx]

Thanks for the replies fellas

As I don't have a vice(I know, sad 'eh ?) or a welder(not as sad but still) it looks as though I have to go with my method, but incorporate the suggestions. Another bloke on another site gave me the idea of putting two nuts on (the 2nd would serve as a locknut) and then wrench on the one closest to the fork end, that should work a treat if there is enough of the stud left for two nuts.

If anyone else has some suggestions to add, that would be great. As mentioned, I don't have a vice, so right now the fork is going to stay in the bike.

[mick znone]

get a vice. i dont mean it as a wind up. if you buy a vice, it could save you trashing a fork leg. then youve got a vice for future probs.

[tlc]

You`ve snapped it once....................be foolish to snap it again.

Do it on the bike by all means but you must stop the leg moving to know that it is the stud moving.

[Skunkwurcx]

get a vice. i dont mean it as a wind up. if you buy a vice, it could save you trashing a fork leg. then youve got a vice for future probs.

Didn't take it any other way than as good ad(vice)

Was expecting someone to suggest that, and I would have one already, 'cept that I bought another bike which took what room I would have had for a work bench to put said vice on

I think my neighbor may have room on his work bench for a vice if he doesn't already have one ....I'll look into that

[Steve Cooke]

I would just try it as you where going to first, there's no point in going through the hassle of taking the fork leg off as it may come out quite easily in situ. Failing that as already said weld a nut on and whilst it's hot take it off.

[KZCol]

You can get the sockets that go over studs to remove them. They grip the stud as you try to turn it out. 2 nuts is probably the easiest and simplist but take your time.

Col.

[Pigford]

Doubt if you'll get 2 x nuts on the stud....... The middle section is usually plain (no thread)......

[mick znone]

unless you can tap a thread on the stem????

[kev edwards]

definately heat it up,i believe kawasaki used some sort of threadlock glue on these,it also means it should'nt have rusted solid,once the glue is warmed through the stud should come out reasonably easy.

[Vince@Z1b]

Do remember to twist the stud the right way though

[Skunkwurcx]

Do remember to twist the stud the right way though

always a bugger when working upside down !! Okay, which way do I turn ?

So the operation was a success !! Had some time tonight to work on the bike. I left the fork in the bike as I still haven't got a vise. What I did was heated the stud and then cooled it by immersing in a bottle of water which I had filled right to the very top. I repeated this several times. This (in theory) would expand the stud and by cooling it rapidly would make it contract with the effect that it would hopefully break the seal of any corrosion and or thread lock. I also gave the fork some taps with a hard plastic hammer. I then clamped a set of vise grips,mole grips I think they're called in the UK ? With them tightly secured I gave them some taps with the hammer and PRESTO !!! The stud came out easy peasy !!!

Thanks to all that gave advice, I greatly appreciated it.

[tlc]

Well done

Just think of the hassle you saved