Rockshox Reba - Play in stanchions after 1 ride

Wormishere1

So I just bought some Rockshox Reba's from Alltricks and had them fitted by my LBS. All seemed rosey until half way around my first ride where I noticed they had developed some play in the stanchions, notably the left side. Soon after a knocking sound occurred almost like a headset knock but it was certainly coming from the left leg of the forks.

Any ideas what this could be and has anyone any experience of returns/warranty with Alltricks?

Thanks.

The Rookie

Make sure it is play in the bushings (erm the stanchions are solid tubes so it's not likely the stanchions!) by putting a finger across the joint between stanchion and lower and rocking the bike against the front brake, if it's not there then put the finger across all the joints in turn.

If it is play in the bushings give them a call and ask them how they will sort this.

Wormishere1

Haha, I must need a coffee.

Yes, the play is in the bushes as when the brake is applied and you place your finger between the bridge you can feel a distinct rocking. Just been looking around on here and it seems there seem to be a fair few instances of this happening.

The Rookie

Place the finger across the joint (so it touches both sides) so you can check for relative movement, I presume by bridge you mean the arch, well that would move based on play in a number of areas, so you have to put the finger across each joint to check.

Wormishere1

Right, just a thought. The reason I bought new forks is because the last forks had play in the bushes. Now my brand new forks also have play in the bushes...or so I think.

The rotor is tight and the pads are new. Is there anything else that could be causing the feel of the play? It certainly feels like more play on the left (disk) side. Nothing seems like it is loose.

Any ideas what could cause this feeling or is this just a lightning strikes twice situation?

cooldad

Or is it just you feeling something that isn't there?

Wormishere1

Nope. Both my LBS agree there is play.

The Rookie

So put your finger across the joint, it's easy to tell that way.....

Check all the joints - but you'll always get some flex in the forks and some play in the brake pads so you get some rock so you have to check them all, top headset, bottom headset and stanchions to lowers.

Dick Scruttock

Are you finding the play at sag or at the top of the stroke?

shindig

The RockShox setors on my my 6 week old Whyte 901 have done exactly the same but on the right hand side. I put them back to the shop I purchased the bike from. Getting fixed under warranty and currently have a loaner fork on the bike.

Wormishere1

Hi, the play is at both the top of the travel and when compressed.

Looks like I will have to go through SRAM to get it sorted out....

The Rookie

Well your initial issue is direct with the supplier......SoGA

Wormishere1

Right, getting there.

Took the bike back to the LBS which fitted the forks and they have said that although there is a small amount of play in the bushes this is normal, BUT the pads are moving in the caliper and this is being felt as rocking in the forks....which means that when the brakes are applied and the wheel is rocked there is around 1mm lateral movement.

So I guess the next question is what is causing this and what can I do to fix it? They are Elixr 5's. The rear wheel has the same pads in (RWD) and there is no rocking...

cooldad

cooldad wrote:

Or is it just you feeling something that isn't there?

Wormishere1 wrote:

Nope. Both my LBS agree there is play.

The Rookie wrote:

So put your finger across the joint, it's easy to tell that way.....

Check all the joints - but you'll always get some flex in the forks and some play in the brake pads so you get some rock so you have to check them all, top headset, bottom headset and stanchions to lowers.

Wormishere1

cooldad wrote:

Troll Troll Troll

cooldad

Well done.
Pity it took three? LBSs to work out something Rookie suggested initially.

Wormishere1

Thank you.

Yes, two LBSs, but they were doing what everyone had advised, hand on joint and test. To isolate the play to the pads involved rocking the wheel while holding the brake on. This movement is magnified (for whatever reason) between the arch and the stanchions around the seal. Not sure why.

Any ideas why the pads are now moving back and forth so much? They have not done this previously.

The Rookie

It just happens, it happens often, that is why I tried hard to get it checked properly......

Pads are painted for starters, once that paint wears off, there is some play, they also get hot and expand and need to slide freely, so there is some clearance built in, some more than others, cheaper pads will probably made to bigger tolerances, to avoid issues at the largest end, the rest will all have a little more play, also the callipers wear slightly with age.

Maybe it was there before you changed the first set of forks for play in the 'bushes'?

Its not hand on joint its a finger lightly resting across it placed horizontally to the stanchion/lower joint and you have to be sure you aren't confusing some compression for play, it's not hard really, just takes some care.

Wormishere1

Exactly, in retrospect the bushes on my Fox's were probably fine. But nevermind, I have a nice new set of forks and will be able to sell the Fox's for more than I originally hoped.

To be fair I thought I had checked everything correctly, as had my LBS.

Wormishere1

UPDATE:
Well, seems I was not that paranoid after all. Forks just come back from RockShox with new lower leg bushes under warranty.

The forks now have no play in the bushes.