Replacing the shifting forks - getting it back together

[inairam]

I broke the 1-R shifting fork on my 49. When I backed away the rod I was ready for but did not find a ball bearing. There was the spring I had one as well. I cleaned the hole and poked around with a pick and did not feel anything else in the hole. I put in the spring and the ball bearing and pushed it down with a small Phillips screwdriver.

How do I get the rod back in? I tried the round side of the bar. Do I use the scalloped side of the bar? I could not get the ball pushed down enough to get the rod in very far - just enough to hold the ball and spring in. Then I could not move the rod anymore.

Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[Bill V in Md]

I use vice grips to lock onto and hold the rod, and a tee handle hex wrench that is large enough to push the ball in, but small enough to allow the rod to start sliding over the ball. Once the ball is held in place, push the rod all the way through, then withdraw the hex wrench and you're there. Hope this makes sense.