Hey all,

So I cross threaded a fork cap and now have to remove the fork tube to make sure that there are no metal fillings inside of it.  Do I need to take apart the whole tube or can I just drain the oil out and clean it some how?  I have the Clymer's book and it seems pretty difficult to take apart the whole tube.  

Also I was wondering if it is neccessary to torque the upper and lower fork bride clamp and the fork cap to the specification in the book?  Would I be alrght just tightening it until it is tight?

Finally, am I in over my head?  Should I just take it to a mechanic?

Thanks for your Help!

While you may want to remove the fork leg, you don't have to to clean up the shavings left inside, the shavings may stick to the oil clinging to the insides of the tube. All you have to do is wipe up the shavings with a rag. But, you will have to remove and disassemble the tube to most likely discard it for a new, or used, tube.

And, just tightening until tight will work, just don't overtighten.

I got the new cap last night and it screwed into the tube, so I think I only damaged the cap not the tube (being that the cap is aluminum and teh tube is steel), so I'm happy about that.

About the metal shavings, are you saying that if I drain the fork tube and replace the oil I should be good?  That would be great if you are because I'm not really into taking apart the whole fork.

Thanks for the help!

Ideally, yes, you should remove the leg and drain it, but you are correct, you do not have to disassemble the whole fork.