Marzochi Z5 seal change

[danee74]

Hi All

I have a pair of 98 Z5 alloy forks with blown air seals. I am in the process of changing them following steps in the tech manual that I have. I am stuck with what is called the foot bolt, it is accessed from the bottom of the sliders and is undone with a 15 or 16mm socket. Mine just keep on spinning in both legs and dont come out, they sound like they are rubbing on rubber?

Any ideas anyone?

Cheers

Dan

 

[drystonepaul]

I changed the seals on a set of Z2's the other day and I'm familiar with the problem.
Try reassembling the forks without the oil but with the springs and internals and screw the top caps back on. It may also help the bolt the legs back into the crown.
Then try turning the bolts again. The downward pressure exerted by the springs should stop the damping/push rod turning on the inside.
I normally back the foot nuts off a half turn before starting the disassembly process nowadays to make things easier.


But the manual doesn't tell you that.

And by the way, good luck getting the old oil seals out. That's the hardest part.

 

[danee74]

Many thanks for the advice, my forks however are air sprung, will it still help to rebuild them and pump them up?

 

[drystonepaul]

Z5's you say? Ah yes air sprung... my mistake.
You could try pumping in some air to load the back of the push rod. I haven't serviced any Z5's so I've no way of knowing whether or not this technique works.

 

[danee74]

Just tried pumping up to 50psi, but still they just turn, hmmmm. Frustrated as hell! Cheers for help though