Girdraulic lower link-application of heat?

1660bob

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Hi All. In the middle of Girdraulic fork rebuild and initial checking of the FF3 lower link indicates a touch of misalignment-a twist of about 1mm across the width of the rear eyes.Not a lot but enough to warrant a tilt at rectification.I believe this is a forged component, and in order to straighten i intend to jig it up and use a oxy acet torch to heat a section of one of the arms to ease it back- is this accepted practice/ any known problems with local heating of this link? Cheers, Bob
 

davidd

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I have always bent them cold, but I cannot tell you if that is the correct way.

David
 

John Appleton

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Hi All. In the middle of Girdraulic fork rebuild and initial checking of the FF3 lower link indicates a touch of misalignment-a twist of about 1mm across the width of the rear eyes.Not a lot but enough to warrant a tilt at rectification.I believe this is a forged component, and in order to straighten i intend to jig it up and use a oxy acet torch to heat a section of one of the arms to ease it back- is this accepted practice/ any known problems with local heating of this link? Cheers, Bob

Hi Bob, I did exactly what you are proposing, but the link that I was playing with was in far worse condition than your one. That was six years ago, and 25000 miles later it is still OK.
John
 
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Robert Watson

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They are very soft material, easy to bend cold, done several. Takes a little while to get them right, a little bit at a time.
 

davidd

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I would follow Robert's advice. If you need more specifics, you can contact me at daviddunfey@aol.com. I have had the luxury of a welding table and when straightening RFMs or links, it is easy for me to tack two pieces of angle iron with a hole so that I can bolt the piece in place. I use very large adjustable wrenches (Harbor Freight) because they fit tightly and do not mar. You can stack two of them togenther if need be. A large vise with soft jaws or wood is useful. Pipe can be useful, but watch for marring and you can often use wood or leather as padding. A big hammer and a piece of wood is good. A large hammer is often good because you do not have to swing it hard and you can give it a couple of raps.

If John has had good results with heating I cannot argue against it, particularly if you are comfortable with that approach. I am more comfortable coldly wacking things around.

David
 
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