How to Replace the Fork on a Bike

The bike fork is that part of the bike used to attach the front wheel to the frame. If you want to replace the fork on a bike, you need tools and know-how. Bicycle repair shops are the best places for novices. If you have the right tools, however, you can replace the fork on a bike yourself.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Repair stand
• Screwdriver
• Thick cloth
• 5mm Allen key
• Grease
• Bike fork
• Awl or marker
• Hacksaw
• Star nut

1. Attach the bike to the repair stand and make sure the brakes on the front wheel are wide open. You may need to adjust the tension screw on the brake mechanism to ensure that the brakes are wide enough to allow the wheel to be released.

2. Unscrew the wheel and let it come clear of the fork, keeping track of any loose screws or bolts as you do so.

3. Place a thick cloth underneath the bike fork. This will catch any ball bearings which may fall out during the operation.

4. Loosen the stem clamping bolts at the top of the bicycle's steering tube with an Allen key or similar device.

5. Remove the stem from the bicycle's handlebar headset, along with any spacing rings which may be present. You may need to repeat steps 3 and 4 with a second clamping mechanism, which some bikes have underneath the stem of the steering tube. Keep careful track of the spacing rings. You'll need them when you attach the new fork.

6. Slide the fork down and clear of the steering tube. Watch for any ball bearings which may drop down as you do so.

7. Remove the top bearings from the handlebar headset.

8. Slide the bearing cup of the top of the removed fork (this is the ring that sits on the bottom of the steering tube), along with any other bearing rings still on the fork.

9. Grease the bearing cup and any spacing or bearing rings so that you can place them on the new fork easily.

10. Slide the bearing cup and all spacing or bearing rings which were located at the bottom of the old fork onto the new fork. The bearing cup should be flush with the bottom of the mechanism: tap it down if you need to.

11. Replace the new fork in the steering frame, sliding the steerer up through the tube.

12. Place any spacing or bearing rings which were located at the bottom of the old fork onto the new fork.

13. Slide the handlebar headset on top of the new fork. The top of the fork should stick out of the top of the handlebars.

14. Mark the handlebar headset's location on the fork with an awl or permanent marker, then remove the handlebars from the fork.

15. Saw off the excess length of the new fork (about 1/4 inch down from the mark you made with the awl or marker) with a hacksaw.

16. Tap the star nut into the steerer on the new fork until it is about 1/2 inch down.

17. Replace the handlebar headset on the new fork.

18. Inspect the fork and attachments to make sure everything is operating correctly. The handlebar mechanism should be facing the correct position.

19. Tighten the top cap on the handlebar headset and secure it to the new fork.

20. Replace the wheel on the bottom of the fork. Watch to make sure the wheel is aligned with the handlebars and make adjustments as necessary.

21. Release the bike from the repair stand.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to remove and dirt or grime from the rings and bearings with a degreasing agent before you reconnect them to the new bike fork. It will help them function more smoothly.

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