Flexx Bar pivit pins seized

So I decided to replace the rebound elastomers in my Flexx bars to be a bit softer. I took them off, and realized that the bars have almost seized and are not flexxing properly. Upon looking at the Fasst Company website I found that the flexx bars are supposed to be routinely cleaned! I hadn't really thought about it since I got them a few years back Now I can't get the pivot pin out. I have tried putting the bolt inside them and hitting them like they said on the website, but the pins don't even move.

I am going to soak them with WD40 and let them sit overnight. Tomorow I will see if I can find a can of Yeald and use that on them.

Any ideas? Here are some photos











-Blake

Ya. They show/tell to put the bolt that I have in the last 2 photos in and then tap it out with a hammer. That "should" protect the pin. I may try that c clamp or vice idea.

Thanks Dean! Any one else have any ideas?

-Blake

Mine did the same thing. The pins are pressed in. I dropped them off at Fasstco and they serviced them for me. I forget how much it was, but it was fairly cheap.

No, I talked Chris at Fasstco today, and they said they have seen this before. They are NOT pressed in, just extremely tight fit. The problem is that the pin is steel, and the bars are aluminum, so without regular servicing they seize up. When I talked to him, he told me that I can bring it by and they will get them out for no cost. He said they just use an air hammer to punch them out. I stopped by the local hardware store picked up an air hammer for $20.

He told me to place it in a vice and pound it out with the air hammer using a punch and the hex bolt inside the insert. The reason to use the Hex bolt is to not damage the outside of the pins. Chris said that they have done some bars that had a REALLY stuck pin this way, and the air hammer is the best thing to use.

I won't be home tonight, but I will try this tomorrow night and report back.

-Blake

My bad, I thought is what they told me when I had mine done. Mine were also an older version before they had the threaded pins. They upgraded me to the threaded pins during the service.

Threaded pins? What are those? If you look at my last 2 pictures, that is the bolt that holds the elastomers on. The video from Fasstco says they recommend on placing that bolt in the pins and tapping that with a hammer. This way you don't damage the outside of the pin. That is why I took that photo.

What is a threaded pin? Is this pin that I am beating on threaded?

Thanks,
Blake

Your bars must be old like mine then. The pins on the new bars come threaded on the inside of the pin toward the front of the bike so you can bolt on the handguard mounts.

I had the same problem with mine. I bought them off a riding friend and they had not been serviced in some time.

I just used a 5 ton press and out they came. Just make sure you put something soft between the press and the pin so not to damage (copper washer, bolt, etc).

I pressed them back in as well and it was much easier when they were cleaned and greased.

Regards,

Eric Benson

Thanks,

To follow up, the air hammer worked perfectly to get them out. I just used the bolt and hammered against that. I cleaned and greased them beck up and tapped them in with a hammer. I'll make sure to regularly service them from now on.

-Blake

anti seize was developed just for this sort of thing... steel + aluminum

And I used anti seize, instead of waterproof grease then I reassembled them. I'm hoping that this will help.

-Blake