New forks - play in headset?

Stu 74
Stu 74 Posts: 463
edited July 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
Just fitted some second hand Fox Float 36s to my Marin Wolf Ridge. The forks have a 1 1/8 steerer and the bike has a hope headset.

The forks ride great but when I rock the bike back and forward with the front brake on there is quite a bit of play which is accompanied by a knocking sound. It sounds and feels like a loose headset but tightening it right up does not solve the problem.

Thought it might be the headset bearings so swapped the bearings with the hope headset on my other bike and the problem is still there (no such problems on the other bike).

Thought it might be play in the front hope hub bearings. Had this before when the bearings were worn. Turned the bike upside down and wiggled the wheel side to side but no play was felt.

Locked the forks out - still play there.

Now a bit baffled and becoming increasingly concerned that it could be a problem with the forks (but it does feel like a loose headset) :?

Next step is to re-install the old forks and see if the problem goes away.

Any other ideas anyone?

Cheers

Stu

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Is the steerer the right length? How are you 'tightening' the headset?
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    crown race swapped over?


    and you have a gap?

    fork11.jpg
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  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Yes swapped crown race over and have a gap. Using the cap bolt to tighten.
    Even after doing the cap bolt tight there is still play somewhere.

    Stu
  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Could it be play in the forks?
  • Liftman
    Liftman Posts: 55
    Jam your finger between the upper crown and the stantion, rock the bike back and forward with the front brake pulled, if you feel your finger gettting crushed it is the bushings in the fork that are fubared
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Are all the bearings and dust seals the correct way around? Have you missed a part.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Stu 74 wrote:
    Yes swapped crown race over and have a gap. Using the cap bolt to tighten.
    Even after doing the cap bolt tight there is still play somewhere.
    At the risk of sounding rude, you did loosen the stem bolts before tightening the top cap bolt?

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Was just about to ask the same lol.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    To test if it's headset vs. Forks, turn for 90 degrees so wheel is pointing left right, apply brakes, try again. If still loose it's a headset issue, if not it's an issue with forks/brakes/disc.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    Grab the top tube in one hand an the forks crown in the other and mover and shake them, you'll feel if the sterer tube is moving (indicating headset) if there isn't any play then it might be the fork bushes so grab the stantion in one hand and corresponding lower in the other and move and shake to see there is any play.
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