Formula fork air cap removal / socket size??

gippyz

Likes Dirt
So I scored a Formula 35 forks recently. Bought some neopos to go with it, but can't find the right socket to remove the air cap. Eightyonespices website said it's 38mm 12 point socket, but it was way too big. Went to total tools (auto/tool shop) and tried all sort of sizes, well none of them fit because the socket is too thick to fit into the uppers. The guy in the shop said it's not your normal 12 point socket. Any suggestion other than going down the path of buying a dedicated tool from Formula :mad:?
 

ozzybmx

taking a shit with my boobs out
I always use a mega large shifter for all our forks, we call it "Big Bessy" (the kids wrote that on it) it opens to about 100mm wide, is about 800mm long and I'm sure weighs 8-10kg.
 

gippyz

Likes Dirt
Suspension fork caps are notorious. You might need a specialised tool. I bought one for rockshox and another for fox. Made by someone on their lunch break. Good gear.
I bought a socket from bunnings for the RS fork. Got lucky there as the guy who helped rode a Boxxer and he said that one works (just fits). This Formula is a s***.
 

John U

MTB Precision
I bought a socket from bunnings for the RS fork. Got lucky there as the guy who helped rode a Boxxer and he said that one works (just fits). This Formula is a s***.
You were lucky to find one that worked. In most situations the socket needs to be ground down.
 

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
Buy a socket to fit and find a mate with a lathe.

It won’t take long. Did one for my 36’s and took me longer to find the three jaw chuck
 

gippyz

Likes Dirt
Or just use a vice and file to install a flat, it's not rocket surgery ;)
File or lathe it is. I did mention it to the guy in the shop, he said the normal socket’s point is sharp pointed whereas the formula’s cap is more flat pointed and recommended us to not proceed.

I feel like just getting normal socket, file it just spat at Formula’s face.
 

T-Rex

Template denier
File and lathe are both too difficult to grind a socket down. Linisher will do it in about 30 seconds. I have several such modified sockets in my toolbox
 

bear the bear

Is a real bear
File and lathe are both too difficult to grind a socket down. Linisher will do it in about 30 seconds. I have several such modified sockets in my toolbox
Depends on what you have available, a file takes 5 minutes, patience and some checking....
 

Ultra Lord

Hurts. Requires Money. And is nerdy.
How is turning down the od difficult?
If you have access to a lathe, it isn’t hard.
 

T-Rex

Template denier
How is turning down the od difficult?
If you have access to a lathe, it isn’t hard.
I've got a lathe, a milling machine, a file and a linisher. Tried them all, linisher is easiest.

But to specifically answer your question, a socket is made of relatively hard steel, doesn't turn very easily in the lathe. Grinding is the easiest way to machine hard steel.
 

teK--

Eats Squid
So I scored a Formula 35 forks recently. Bought some neopos to go with it, but can't find the right socket to remove the air cap. Eightyonespices website said it's 38mm 12 point socket, but it was way too big. Went to total tools (auto/tool shop) and tried all sort of sizes, well none of them fit because the socket is too thick to fit into the uppers. The guy in the shop said it's not your normal 12 point socket. Any suggestion other than going down the path of buying a dedicated tool from Formula :mad:?
The park tool set of flat faced sockets and they are all fairly thin profile around the edges.
 

John U

MTB Precision
Maybe a cheap tube spanner or deep socket is the go.
Bullshit isnt it, they make plenty of money from having one off proprietary stuff so you have to buy their tools and small parts , obviously part of the business model .
These look very classy and strong = could take my tractor wheel nuts off w those.
Attachments

They’re actually pretty lightweight. They don’t don’t need to produce a great deal of torque.

the spanners I got were similar to this
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/WCM-30m...TD-top-air-cap-Socket-Fox-40-36-/252011535057
 
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