DIY front suspension service.

[bobbejaan]

Hey hubbers,

 

So i have this old fork that needs servicing.

 

I don't know how old it is exactly but I think between 6 to 8 years

 

it resembles the manitou fork design style,

 

has only a preload knob at the top of the fork

 

and a small knob at the bottom of the fork that doesn't work, which I think should be the lockout.

 

the LBS in my town say they need to order bushings and springs and all sorts of things but its just an old coil fork with dirty grease and broken seal springs and a busted lockout with a preload that only works in warm temperatures, seriously, when its cold the preload seems to reset to very saggy and when its warm it works properly, the preload knob even makes a satisfying click when you turn it, but only when its warm (on a thursday)

 

don't tell me to buy a new fork I can't afford it.

 

point is, can anyone help with model verification or know where I can get seal springs.

 

cheers,

Edited December 6, 2013 by bobbejaan

[Mojoman]

Why dont you just take pics and document everything as you go along and open it up, give it all a good clean, replace what you need to replace and go that route? I think the knob at the bottom would be for rebound, I dont think they would position the lock out down there? Not sure though.

 

Any pictures?

[shaper]

pics would help

[bobbejaan]

will make some pictures. quite prepared to just go ahead and do it but i want to replace broken parts, ie, seal springs.

[Mojoman]

will make some pictures. quite prepared to just go ahead and do it but i want to replace broken parts, ie, seal springs.

It will probably make the LBS's life easier once you have the samples available (if you dont know the brand/model of the fork).

[MrJacques]

Maybe time for an upgrade? Some good deals in the classifieds

[bobbejaan]

It will probably make the LBS's life easier once you have the samples available (if you dont know the brand/model of the fork).

 

yeah that makes sense.

[bobbejaan]

Maybe time for an upgrade? Some good deals in the classifieds

 

not before i've fixed it myself boet :]

[shaper]

If you think it is Manitou then you can search for it here http://www.manitoumtb.com/support/

[bobbejaan]

so no one has a few seal springs lying around... damn i was hoping.

[johannrissik]

Hey hubbers,

 

So i have this old fork that needs servicing.

 

I don't know how old it is exactly but I think between 6 to 8 years

 

it resembles the manitou fork design style,

 

has only a preload knob at the top of the fork

 

and a small knob at the bottom of the fork that doesn't work, which I think should be the lockout.

 

the LBS in my town say they need to order bushings and springs and all sorts of things but its just an old coil fork with dirty grease and broken seal springs and a busted lockout with a preload that only works in warm temperatures, seriously, when its cold the preload seems to reset to very saggy and when its warm it works properly, the preload knob even makes a satisfying click when you turn it, but only when its warm (on a thursday)

 

don't tell me to buy a new fork I can't afford it.

 

point is, can anyone help with model verification or know where I can get seal springs.

 

cheers,

Strip it carefully.

Once you have all the gubbins out, take them to a bearing/seal place and chances are good you'll find replacements.

"If I can't fix it, I don't want it"

Good luck.

Edited December 6, 2013 by johannrissik

[bobbejaan]

 

 

right, there we go, the 4 corners of the fork.

 

like manitou forks the bridge between the two stanchions is behind the headtube...

 

that little knob in the 3rd pic is busted or has no effect, that screw is removable but the knob itself doesn't budge.

 

<!-- sorry about the picture quality... its an android. -->

Edited December 6, 2013 by bobbejaan

[Tubeless]

By making that Android comment, you halved the amount of people willing to comment.

 

Edited December 6, 2013 by Tubeless

[bobbejaan]

If you think it is Manitou then you can search for it here http://www.manitoumtb.com/support/

ja thanks i found some pdfs...

[bobbejaan]

By making that Android comment, you halved the amount of people willing to comment.

 

ja ok i have outcommented the android comment so the amount of people that may comment may otherwise be unaffected.

 

();

Edited December 6, 2013 by bobbejaan

[droo]

Replacing energiser springs on a 6 year old seal is putting lipstick on a pig.

 

Strip, clean out all the life forms evolving in the lowers, clean the damper and spring assemblies with alcohol (the kind you get at the chemist), replace seals and all internal o-rings, refill damper oil, regrease lowers and Robert's your father's brother.

 

If you need help, shout. Also, post a pic of the entire fork, and if you've got a vernier measure the size of the stanchions. I might be able to identify it and may also have seals in stock.