Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
- C4_yrslf
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:04 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200A Aspencade
Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Hi,
I was gifted a 1984 Aspencade and it had a lot of issues around the suspension.
Rear suspension had nothign, I swapped it for coilovers.
The front suspension was completely shot just pouring out oil, front brakes were unusable and 100% covered, even rolling.
I started rebuilding them, first time doing fork rebuild. It was a nightmare, even though I went with almost all OEM parts (bushings, seals, dust covers).
I probably broke one seal trying to install it. (It just wouldn't seat) Figured out the new guide bushing just could not fit inside the fork...
I had to reuse the old guide bushing and buy a new seal.
Reinstalling the forks was a breeze, though when I got to installing the wheel/axle back on the forks, one of the four studs stripped. (It was pretty rusted and I was using a torque wrench)
How hard is it to replace the axle holder studs? Where can I buy them?
Thanks for reading.
More pictures of the project.
I was gifted a 1984 Aspencade and it had a lot of issues around the suspension.
Rear suspension had nothign, I swapped it for coilovers.
The front suspension was completely shot just pouring out oil, front brakes were unusable and 100% covered, even rolling.
I started rebuilding them, first time doing fork rebuild. It was a nightmare, even though I went with almost all OEM parts (bushings, seals, dust covers).
I probably broke one seal trying to install it. (It just wouldn't seat) Figured out the new guide bushing just could not fit inside the fork...
I had to reuse the old guide bushing and buy a new seal.
Reinstalling the forks was a breeze, though when I got to installing the wheel/axle back on the forks, one of the four studs stripped. (It was pretty rusted and I was using a torque wrench)
How hard is it to replace the axle holder studs? Where can I buy them?
Thanks for reading.
More pictures of the project.
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
2007 GL1800
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to replace them all. Should be easy enough.
Not sure why it shows 2 different part numbers.
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... front-fork
Not sure why it shows 2 different part numbers.
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... front-fork
- Rednaxs60
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Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
As Bike and Dennis mentions, replace all four. If you cannot get the studs use metric bolts - work just as well. May want to consider upgrading the fork springs. Straight rate Sonic springs in the 1.1/1.2 kg/mm is a good option - $120.00 USD. Springs don't last forever.
"When you write the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen"
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- julimike54
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Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Babbits shows the first P/N changed to the second P/N.....
Riding anything is a good day!
Mike
- C4_yrslf
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:04 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200A Aspencade
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
I called the local recreational Honda dealer and after our call they shipped some from Vancouver to QC arriving by next week. I didn't buy them yet.
But reading the replies here, god knows I ain't installing studs, I'll be buying metric bolts instead.
I'll bring a nut with me to the nuts and bolts store and buy four 10x52 studs. With the nut they'll be able to figure out the thread.
I have bought a set of progressive springs I saw recommended on another forum before since the air system seems to have been partially ripped out.
Compressor is still there but the forks didn't have any air related stuff attached to them. They have small holes near the top of the forks that were open but not leaking, I think that's where the pressured air line is supposed to be but there was nothing.
Thank you for the replies
But reading the replies here, god knows I ain't installing studs, I'll be buying metric bolts instead.
I'll bring a nut with me to the nuts and bolts store and buy four 10x52 studs. With the nut they'll be able to figure out the thread.
I have bought a set of progressive springs I saw recommended on another forum before since the air system seems to have been partially ripped out.
Compressor is still there but the forks didn't have any air related stuff attached to them. They have small holes near the top of the forks that were open but not leaking, I think that's where the pressured air line is supposed to be but there was nothing.
Thank you for the replies
- Rambozo
- Posts: 4024
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Ducati Monster
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Studs are the way to go for that. It's a lot easier to replace a stripped or damaged stud than if you strip the threads in the fork with a bolt that won't get full thread engagement.
The reason Honda put studs on that is that it is a frequently removed part. Like every time you change a tire. A steel-on-steel nut and stud has very low wear and can be removed and replaced many times. However, a steel bolt screwed into aluminum threads has a much lower cycle count. Add any dirt to the mix and it only gets worse.
The reason Honda put studs on that is that it is a frequently removed part. Like every time you change a tire. A steel-on-steel nut and stud has very low wear and can be removed and replaced many times. However, a steel bolt screwed into aluminum threads has a much lower cycle count. Add any dirt to the mix and it only gets worse.
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
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2007 GL1800
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Replace the studs...really!
- MikeB
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Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
In case you have never replaced steel studs in an aluminum fork before, you can bet that that they were inst5alled using thread locker. It is a certainty that you will have to use heat in order to break the thread locker and remove the studs. Heating the studs alone and not the fork tube will probably be all you need to do.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
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Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/205,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/46,000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- Sassy
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Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
I believe Rambozo's is the way I would go. Bolts in and out of aluminum won't last.
Enjoying the Darkside
Fred
Fred
- Sassy
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Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
After thinking about this( I still agree Rambozo's answer is the best) but me being the hack that I am there is a very good chance I would find a way to put new slightly smaller threads on that stud.
Example: the base size of that stud may be close enough to rethread it to American Standard,,,?
Example: the base size of that stud may be close enough to rethread it to American Standard,,,?
Enjoying the Darkside
Fred
Fred
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
2007 GL1800
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Just get the studs and some new nuts from Honda. I posted one source above, or you can get them from your local dealer. And don't forget the washers.
- C4_yrslf
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:04 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200A Aspencade
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Alright, I did have concerns about steel bolts in aluminum.
I'll get the studs from Honda and if they have the nuts I'll buy them too or else I'll just buy some at the nuts and bolts store.
Thanks for the advice and the heads up about the thread locker.
I'll get the studs from Honda and if they have the nuts I'll buy them too or else I'll just buy some at the nuts and bolts store.
Thanks for the advice and the heads up about the thread locker.
- C4_yrslf
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:04 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200A Aspencade
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Hello again,
I changed out all four fork axle studs today. All of the old ones were really easy to remove. The broken one I removed with vice grips very easily, the other three I did by locking two nuts together, all went easily.
I threaded in the new studs the same way whilst adding a bit of thread locker (blue). I didn't have any torque measures to go off of so I just snugged them with a wrench.
I took some time to start cleaning up the brakes. The fork leaks were so bad that I had about 10% of front brake power. I could hold the bike on almost level road with the front brakes but that's about it. See the pics as to why it's important do do your forks if they leak.
Studs: Brakes:
The hydraulic chambers, wheel, disks, calipers, speed sensor, everything was/is completely drenched in oil and dirt. The forks are clean, the disks are somewhat clean, I'm currently doing the calipers and changing out the pads.
I changed out all four fork axle studs today. All of the old ones were really easy to remove. The broken one I removed with vice grips very easily, the other three I did by locking two nuts together, all went easily.
I threaded in the new studs the same way whilst adding a bit of thread locker (blue). I didn't have any torque measures to go off of so I just snugged them with a wrench.
I took some time to start cleaning up the brakes. The fork leaks were so bad that I had about 10% of front brake power. I could hold the bike on almost level road with the front brakes but that's about it. See the pics as to why it's important do do your forks if they leak.
Studs: Brakes:
The hydraulic chambers, wheel, disks, calipers, speed sensor, everything was/is completely drenched in oil and dirt. The forks are clean, the disks are somewhat clean, I'm currently doing the calipers and changing out the pads.
- Bike...and Dennis
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:33 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 1987 GL1200I
2007 GL1800
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Wow! You must have gotten the last ones. Partzillza now shows those studs as unavailable.
- C4_yrslf
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:04 pm
- Location: Quebec, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1984 GL1200A Aspencade
Re: Stripped axle holder studs on a fork
Well I hope not, I stripped a new one I had installed yesterday, I installed one of the good ones I had left over.