Was really hoping to change my tires for this Friday...
back tire is off and I broke the bead.

Now I get to the front and discover the axle bolt is on it's way to smooth, won't budge without damage...
there's maybe a few more tries left towards the back, but none of my sockets (Metric or SAE) are grabbing well.

Even tried an impact gun, which was actually slipping more than gouging (bolt didn't look much worse-for-wear after).

This bolt is like butter metal... I can watch it melt just twisting a box wrench by hand...
any ideas... Heat the other side? Hammer a smaller socket on there?

I've never had much luck drilling out bolts in the past...
plus I'll need a replacement before Friday... sigh. :/

verslagen1 wrote on 04/01/14 at 10:41:19:



Also.....are you using 6 point sockets?

Yes... forks have been off before (rebuilt a bent leg):


So I PB blasted it, managed to grab some meat on the back and get it off with the impact.

Though I noticed something I don't remember from the last time it was off... the second spacer (right next to the nut, exact same diameter as the thickets part of the axle) appears to be stuck on the axle.

I mean, it spins... but it won't slide off the axle, some lip is holding it in place... is that normal?  I had to pull the entire spacer through the fork hole (a couple screwdrivers prying it open while I creeped it out).

Another question, anyone know the thread size on the right fork?
Looks like it's gonna need to be tapped. :/

Youve got to get the pinch bolt out and get a socket that goes all the way onto the head. Id start with a penetrating oil. It looks corroded between the bolt head & fork body. 6 point socket,, no 12. You mite want to take a punch that fits almost 100% across the head of that bolt & give it a smack or 3. Dont try to drive it thru, just spank it good. Let the penetrating oil soak, smack it again,, try it by hand. Next time it goes together, use antiseize,.,