Just got a 77XL and need to change a fork seal that busted from being trailered for 12 hours. I read a post last night
about someone having to use an impact driver to get the screw out of the bottom of the slider. Mine broke free and
turns but dosn't loosen; as if I need to put a wrench on the inside to keep the "nut" from spinning. I've changed the
seals on another bike before and the screw came right out with no problem. WTF?

 

An impact wrench can spin the bolt fast enough to cause it to come
free of the nut. Or use something long to jam the nut inside the
fork leg such as a long screw driver of the end of a jack handle
with a flat blade that is used to pry a hub cap off.

 

BTW, I should not have said 'nut'. There is no nut inside the fork leg.
Its a damper tube.

 

I knew what you ment. the only reason I called it a "nut" was to try and draw a mental picture for anyone reading. Does the damper tube have a slotted grove for a flathead to set in or will I cause unwanted damage if the screw does not want to break free and continues to spin against the screwdriver. If I knew the I.D. of the damper tube I could turn a piece on the lathe with a slight taper to use as a ramrod to achieve the same without as much damage.?

By the way, thanx for the fast response.

 

A slotted tube is a great idea. But it does not have one. I also like the idea
of a tapered tool. If you don't have an air impact to spin the bolt free,
try something relatively soft to jam the tube like a long piece of wood
for a wedge. Or you could put the thing back together with the spring in
the fork tube, which will provide pressure to hold the damper from
spinning.

 

Again, thanx for the fast response. I have impact wrench, will get 6mm hex bit for it today; I have lathe and some round stock, will make tapered ramrod; I also have scrap wood, hammers, chissles, nail guns, and a good sized 4-letter word vocabulary. Will post back later this evening to report what did/did'nt work. I did try putting it back together with the spring in place but no good. However, I was using my DeWalt on low rpm because I lacked the confidence to give it hell. Cover me, I'm going in.

 

The impact wrench was the trick. I put the spring back in for extra tension and with 2 quick pulls of the trigger, the screw was in my hand. No more leak and rides solid.

Pyro