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Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 10:14 pm Feb 17 2014
by dsedam
So, after a many a read on several sites and trying to track down a cartridge holder tool, I made one for under $12.

Here is what I used all from a local lowes:

1 - 1/2" x 30" iron pipe
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vjBS ... 165903.jpg

1 - Lfa-668 brass garden hose adapter.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hstn ... 165844.jpg

The brass was used for a couple reasons -
1. It's soft and your reaching aluminum...
2. Easy to grind with a file for deburring...

Screw the adapter onto the pipe as tight as you can, you can even lock tight it on, I did not.

Using a grinder, cut off the excess threads, making flush the brass "nut" and iron pipe.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-doXy ... 170008.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aX9X ... 165820.jpg

Deburr the cut and the edges of the nut portion of the brass.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-33jr ... 165827.jpg

Clean the internal span of the pipe, you never know what goodies are in there and it will keep you from potentially scratching your damper rod. Wrap the first 20" or so in electrical tape as it keeps it nice and soft for the metal components touching each other...

Finished product:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-99Tq ... 165810.jpg

Insert the tool over the rod and down into the cartridge, lining it up and you should feel it lock in. Using a 14mm allen socket , found at auto zone in a 3 pack 12mm, 13, mm, 14mm for $12, unscrew your valve.

Dan
New to me 2004 KDX 200
Previously owned 1994 KDX 200

Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 11:50 pm Apr 20 2014
by Gotanubike
Great post, how did you figure a garden hose adapter fits the ARP 12 notched fitment on the damper rod? That adapter is imperial.

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 03:26 pm Apr 23 2014
by dsedam
At my lowes the pipe and brass fittings are right across from each other. I knew I needed a soft metal and the brass fittings fit the bill. Bought the nearest size, a little grooming and voila...

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 04:10 pm May 07 2020
by sthutch
Dan,
I gotta say THANK YOU!!! I haven't ridden in a couple years due to loosing my hearing (and balance) in my right ear. Finally, I feel confident in my ability to ride so I pulled my KDX out of storage to get ready. When I put it away I knew I had a leaky fork seal, so that was the first thing on the agenda. A quick search here yielded the tool I needed, and how to make it. Since this was an older post, I did an online search at my local Lowes for the adapter to make sure they carried it. They didn't carry it, but Home Depot did! I went and picked up the parts, followed your steps and presto, had my tool. It worked perfectly!!!

Thanks for posting this!
Sthutch

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 03:13 pm Dec 11 2020
by pumpguy
Would anyone be able to post pictures of parts used? At this late date those originally posted are no longer available.

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 05:34 pm Mar 24 2021
by JRod396
Pumpguy, what did you end up using or finding? The LFA-668 is no longer available

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 08:45 pm Apr 13 2021
by tystick82
I just made my cartridge holder the other day. Worked great with a little grooming. The brass part lfa-668 was available at my local Walmart. You could surely pick one up at a plumbing supply store as well. Hope this helps

Re: Build your own KDX fork cartridge holder

Posted: 08:17 am May 22 2021
by russell3
I was also looking into how to make one of these and didn't really find a good video or pics of one. This is the best thread I've found on the subject, but as stated, the pics don't work in the links anymore. I decided to just built one and did a youtube video on how to do it. I used a piece of pipe and a drilled out bolt head(could have used a nut, but the store didn't have one at the time). I just welded them together. pretty simple. Might not be as nice as finding the threaded adapters spoken of here, but it's an option and it worked great for rebuilding my forks. Hope this helps someone out.