Noob Diaries: 04 Fork Replacement: Preflight

[indywar360]

A question not covered in prior posts:

1) I got some replacement forks from Jared (thx Jared), these older tubes have a recessed nut end cap, unlike on my 04 which has a regular type nut on top. I will try to swap the parts out, but to get them off in the first place, what tool fits the square hole?

2) Do I really need vise grips, straps, and the homemade 2-headed tool ppl talk about? Sounds like I can just compress the tubes and undo the bottom nut by hand before the forks are disassembled, then unscrew the end caps.

3) If the lower and/or upper clamps are bent I will find out while reinstalling I suppose, and go ahead and replace them too. Any tips?

Thx all
Kyle

[Egaeus]

1.  A 1/2" drive ratchet with at least a short extension (without a socket)
2.  It will be quite difficult to remove without the tool or an impact wrench.
3.  None from me.

[MarkusN]

2) Do I really need vise grips, straps, and the homemade 2-headed tool ppl talk about? Sounds like I can just compress the tubes and undo the bottom nut by hand before the forks are disassembled, then unscrew the end caps.

Nope, it doesn't work that way. That bolt holds the damper rod inside the fork. As soon as you have it slightly loose, the damper rod will turn with the screw inside the fork.
BTW, newer GSses (dont remember from which year but somewhere past 2000) don't have the standard 12-pointed socket on top of the damper rod anymore. A simple hex screw will not work as a driver for them. I hear it's quite difficult to hold them without the Suzuki tool specially made for that purpose.