XCR fork problems AGAIN!

MTB noob

I have had my XCR forks for only 2 months and now i'm starting to have problems with it. :x

The problem is when I am cycling normally around a relaxing single track, the forks suddenly, for no reason, goes twice as stiff. :shock: This happens as well when I am doing some harder riding with air-time.

Is there any obvious cause to this and if so how do I solve it?

Thanks.

supersonic

Sounds like the lockout is engaging. Check that the lever is full off and is not rattling about.

steelie600

have you got the remote lock out or the lever on the crown?

And where is it when you set it "open"??

Should be with the knob of the lever at 90* to the forks sticking out to the side. If you have it all the way forward, this could cause it as the lock out mech is then nearly engaged. I learnt the hard way when messing about with my forks changing the spring

MTB noob

I always keep them unlocked because my friend locked up his Manitou Axel's and they've stayed 1/2 locked out now.

I might have made a mistake by thinking they were dry forks so when I used the fork a lot, it clogs with dust.

leaflite

MTB noob wrote:

I might have made a mistake by thinking they were dry forks so when I used the fork a lot, it clogs with dust.

All forks should work in the dry!

The sealing on XCRs is pretty rubbish, but that also means that it is very easy to take the lowers off and clean the rubbish out from time to time.

steelie600

aye, take your front wheel out. and undo the two allen key bolts at the bottom of the fork legs and slide the legs off. SIMPLES

MTB noob

What is the cheapest way of lubricating my forks so they don't stiffen up because that was the problem - the muck gets stuck in the seals?

Darkstalker420

Hi mate i have a pair of RST Gila T6's on my bike. I figure they are of similar "quality" to your Suntours. I got sick of re greasing them all the time so i took them apart cleaned out the filth (again :roll:). Then i put them back together UNGREASED then poured a big glug of gearbox (bike) oil down each leg :shock: (about 100ml each leg at a guess).

This has helped a lot and they are smooth as silk (well dirty cruddy silk ) but far better than with the grease. and i haven't had to do anything with them since (bar wiping the crud from around the seals).

Thanks.

leaflite

I use stendec easy glide fork grease on my revs. Not sure if it would work well on suntours though...

Best option is probably to try and keep these going as cheaply as possible until you can afford some toras, recons, rebas etc.(new or used)

MTB noob

My dad said put a layer of 10w40 or similar and they'll work. They do but the forks are dampened quite a lot now - that's good because now they're like dirt jumpers. it cost me 20p for the amount of oil I used.

Problem solved people!

supersonic

Strip and clean the forks, then use decent grease. Don't fill with oil, they are not designed for it.