Front Fork Assembly Question

[Tor-King]

So, I just finished taking apart the forks on my '86.  As I was dismantling, I was photographing and taking mental note.  Once I removed the damper rod, the slider and all other internals, I could not find the tapered spindle that goes over the damper rod??  I looked into the lower fork tube and I am wondering if it possible that it is still at the bottom?? I don't think I could have possibly missed this and to my best recollection, I do not think the forks have been apart before... Please help a confused FJ member! 

Dean

[FJmonkey]

Check with a flash light, make sure it is not jammed in. Maybe a few sharp blows to knock it out if you see it still in there.

[racerrad8]

Dean,

I would say a good 80% plus that come into our shop are stuck in the bottom because they were installed upside down. So I would say yes it is very possible that it is still in there. We usually take a long pry bar and very carefully wiggle it around the edge of the taper and it usually comes right out. Sometimes it is as simple as putting the in the hot tank and when u pull them out and turn it upside down they come out.

Robert

[Tor-King]

Hi Robert and Mark.
You are both correct, they were jammed in the bottom of the fork tube.  I was able to remove the spindles by going through the anti dive holes.  My next question is the direction of the spindles... I have attached two photos.  Which way are they to be installed?  I believe picture 1 (154) to be correct?  Picture 2 (155) is how they were removed.  If this is incorrect, it is obvious that P.O. had the forks dismantled at one time.  I also had only 2 wave washers come out with the spindle.  Is there to be a third?
Thanks again,
Dean

[racerrad8]

154.jpg is correct. And there are 3 washers; two wave and 1 flat washer.
Robert