Manitou Tower Expert - Where has all my travel gone?

[divernick]

I have noticed lately that I only have 50mm travel (on my 100mm-travel fork). I have had the fork at the LBS twice in the last 6 months to clean and lube the seals and wipers.

 

Could something have one back in the wrong way around causing the fork to only compress 45-50mm?

 

The fork is running butter-smooth and the rebound and lockout adjustments work fine....

 

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Mike Bike]

dual or single air? neg pressure too high?

[flat29]

pm JB

[divernick]

The Manitou Tower only uses air for preload, It has a coil spring for the actual "suspension". For my weight I only need to put in 0.3 - 1.0 bar pressure for preload....

[Hilton.]

dual or single air? neg pressure too high?

 

The Manitou Tower Expert and Pro don't use dual air chambers. Rather, they use a combination of a coil spring in tandem with a single air chamber per leg. The air chamber acts negatively if I remember correctly, while the coil is positive. Or the other way around. The difference between the expert and pro is that the pro has the coil within the air chamber, while the expert has the two in series, one below the other.

[droo]

If you're in CT, bring it to me and I'll have a look at it for you. Quite possible that some spacers have gone back in in the wrong order in the spring assembly.

 

Two questions in the meantime - 1, is there still 100mm of stanchion showing, but only the top half is working, and 2. does it 'bottom' hard?

 

If yes to both, it's a 5 minute fix and I'll only charge you for the oil. If no, I'll need to pull it apart to diagnose.

[divernick]

If you're in CT, bring it to me and I'll have a look at it for you. Quite possible that some spacers have gone back in in the wrong order in the spring assembly.

 

Two questions in the meantime - 1, is there still 100mm of stanchion showing, but only the top half is working, and 2. does it 'bottom' hard?

 

If yes to both, it's a 5 minute fix and I'll only charge you for the oil. If no, I'll need to pull it apart to diagnose.

 

Hey thanks for the offer but I'm in Joburg.

 

I was thinking that something may have gone back in the wrong order. There is normal stanchion showing but only 45-50mm travel possible. It does bottom out quite hard.....

[droo]

Hey thanks for the offer but I'm in Joburg.

 

I was thinking that something may have gone back in the wrong order. There is normal stanchion showing but only 45-50mm travel possible. It does bottom out quite hard.....

 

Then your problem is a spring guide that's in the wrong way. Take it to JB, he'll be able to sort it out for you.

[divernick]

Would you be able to say from this schematic which part is in wrong?

[droo]

The piston bit of part 3 is backwards, I'll almost guarantee it. If you're mechanically inclined you'll probably be able to sort it out without even getting the lowers off, so no oil or mess. Just make sure you clean the topcap off before unscrewing it, you don't want any gunk getting into the stanchion.

 

If it's not that, get back to me and I'll give you my next best guess.

[Hairy]

I am Stoked with your service Droo!

[droo]

I am Stoked with your service Droo!

 

Haha, thanks man! Advice is free, as long as you bring it to us if (when?) you reach the end of your comfort zone...

[Kranswurm]

Haha, thanks man! Advice is free, as long as you bring it to us if (when?) you reach the end of your comfort zone...

 

And where are you??

[droo]

And where are you??

 

Observatory, CT. We accept all major couriers though B)

[divernick]

Thanks for the advice Droo, I'll pop off that top cap later today and have a look....