just started the build on my 348 ,,

the right fork leg is stuck 3/4 of the

way though it's travel... " locked solid"

spring out bottom bolt out theres no

way this thing will move.. A bent main

is a possability but the top section looks

stright so if there is a bend it's down in the

botton slider...

Any other ideas what could be the prob if

its not a bent main tube & how to get it apart ?

Edited July 5, 201214 yr by petenz

Pete is it rusty in there? I had problems with getting some 348 forks apart when there was rust blisters on the inside surface of the tube

Pete is it rusty in there? I had problems with getting some 348 forks apart when there was rust blisters on the inside surface of the tube

from what tube is out of the slider theres is no visable rust other than very small

pits under where the plastic sleeves were between the triple clamps..

the other leg shows no sign of rust...

I mean rust inside the tubes where the piston contacts the tube

I mean rust inside the tubes where the piston contacts the tube

Ok..not looked to hard in there..

if the bottom bolt holding the

damping rods removed wouldn't

the stachon/damping rod/piston

all slide out as a unit if theres rust

stoping the piston moveing inside

the stanchon ?

Yes you are right. More thinking needed.

Ah heres a thought, maybe there is a dent in the slider?

Yes you are right. More thinking needed.

Ah heres a thought, maybe there is a dent in the slider?

could you clamp an old yoke to it and use that to hammer it out or try and turn it with wd40 in there

could you clamp an old yoke to it and use that to hammer it out or try and turn it with wd40 in there

What I will try.. Is clamp the stanction in the lathe chuck to hold it , put the axle bolt though

the slider axle hole see if I can rotate it while pulling..

hammering it will be the last option..

Edit.... I got it... twist pull it came out .. couldn't see anything wrong..

now it slides like it never had a prob..damping rod pushed out easy..

I have no idea what the prob was... No dents or bends...

just struck another issue while pulling it apart..can't get the swing arm

pivit bolt out.. must be rusted in...Get the motor out and cut though the bolt

& bushs each side... then turn up some new bushs/internal sleeve & bolt...

Edited July 6, 201214 yr by petenz

Pete, the older Montesa forks will stick if the bike sits unused for a period of time. Dissimilar metals reaction may be the cause. I have found this in many old Montesas. Some cases are worse than others. Time is the main factor. Sometimes all the piston needs is a light sanding. I have seen others that required new psitons.

My method of removal is to drive them out with a wooden broomstick and mallet.

Found the prob..

Alloy piston on the top of the damping

rod has cracked in two..was cleaning it

up and fell on the floor in two...

So I will turn up 2 new ones in Acetal "nylon"

theres no load on them spring pressure is

on the damping rod..