Movement in the fork

jon3619

Hello,

I recently had a new cheap £20 headset installed and have noticed two things that could be totally unrelated.

1. When applying the brakes I can kinda feel vibration when hitting bumps almost like a rattling sensation. The headset doesnt seem lose so maybe it's because it's cheap headset?

2. The silver suspension bars move side to side slightly when Rocking the bike back and forth, I can see them moving in the sockets ever so slightly. is this normal in suspension. Maybe I have just never noticed before?

Regards

nicklouse

you did swap the crown races over?
you did make sure that you could preload the bearing by adjusting the number of spacers so as to not bottom out the top cap?

yes there can often be some movement seen where the legs of the fork enter the outers.

jon3619

I have no idea as the headset was installed at a bike shop. Also the suspension movement is not up and down its a slight movement side to side, I can see the suspension cylinders moving side to side in the holder.

nicklouse

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19702847#p19702847]jon3619[/url] wrote:

I have no idea as the headset was installed at a bike shop.

then back to the bike shop and show them the play or rattle.

Also the suspension movement is not up and down its a slight movement side to side, I can see the suspension cylinders moving side to side in the holder.

and yes it is normal for some movment.

The Rookie

For info the cylinders are called stanchions. What make and model of forks? Having chromed stanchions suggests lower end ones.

jon3619

Thanks for the info,

So I have checked jfor movement in the fork after I have had this new headset installed, I can't tell If I can feel play from the headset or movement in the back wheel and suspension moving slightly.

The make of the fork is suitor 012 series v3.

cooldad

Then you need to isolate where the movement is coming from.

jon3619

Is it possible vibrations could be caused by things like low tyre pressure? Worn handlebar rubber grips? Not enough lube on the suspension?

I have also noticed that when breaking hard (disc brake) you can see
the fork pulls back slightly. Is this normal? I know these sound like stupid questions but I'm getting paranoid about fork failure. I'm assuming suspension forks will have slight movement back and forth Aswell as up and down due to the moving parts?

Regards

The Rookie

No (unless the tyre has a defect when it can), no and no.

Yes, the braking force will push the wheel back and there will be some distortion

Should that be a Suntour V3? Basic fork unfortunately.

Lay a finger sideways across each joint and then while pulling on the front brake push the bike backwards and forwards and see if you can feel relative movement, do it from frame to fork crown and across where the stanchions go into the lower part of the fork.

larkim

The OP is describing exactly how my Suntour fork operates. A fundamental quality issue I would have thought.

jon3619

So your having these exact same issues as me? Mine is about 3 years old

jon3619

So it looks like if I hold the front break. Rock the bike back and forth I see movement from the stanchions in the holder side to side. Is this caused by headset movement? Or is it a natural chractistic of suspension? It looks like one of the seals moves slightly aswell

The Rookie

If I new what the hell a holder was.......

Crown at the top, if the stanchion is moving in that the fork is dangerous and scrap.

If the stanchions are moving in the lowers it's bush wear and not surprising on cheap forks that have presumably had no servicing at all.

FishFish

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19706095#p19706095]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

If the stanchions are moving in the lowers it's bush wear and not surprising on cheap forks that have presumably had no servicing at all.

I have had cheap forks in China and Thailand and noticed bush wear. I had attributed this to an excess of servicing rather than an absence of same - but you live and learn.

The Rookie

Not sure how servicing wears the bushes!

The OE grease isn't great, some decent grease improves the life a lot.