Grebel Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 After having my bike stand for let's just say a very long time due to some recovery issues after shoulder surgery and a bad case of laziness, I decided to dust it off in December and take it away on holiday. A quick service revealed nothing untoward but a few loops around the resort we stayed at highlighted some suspension issues one of which was very kindly sorted by Droo from Stoke Suspension in the form of a rear shock service The other issue that I noticed was this thing called sticktion at the start of my fork's stroke... I thought it was as a result of standing so I tipped the bike onto it's head overnight and hoped and prayed that some oil would somehow creep in and resolve all my issues... Alas it was not to be... This weekend I decided that a baptism of fire was in order and off came the fork (Marzocchi 44 Bomber TST2 120mm travel). With a little help from Google, Marzocchi and Pinkbike within a reasonable amount of time it was stripped on my workbench and the inspection began. As there was no oil leaks and the fork was holding air, it resulted in an inspection and oil service. Castrol Fork Oil was used (10W) as there was no 7,5W available and I figured thicker rather that thinner (5W) would be better. A change to 5W isn't a train smash should that be required I removed the dust wipers, re-soaked the felt wipers in oil, checked the bushings (Good as new thankfully) and checked inside the lower legs for damage. All good. After a thorough clean assembly ensued with a little light grease inside the lowers (Everything works better with lube...) a bit more grease on the bushings as well as the oil seals and the wipers. I lubed up the stanchions and reassembled the fork (Lube everywhere that there was any chance of any contact. There was more lube on that fork than what was present in any Ron Jeremy movie ever made and probably all of them combined!!) After reassembly, to my horror..... sticktion at the start of the stroke..... I was hoping that with the slightest of pressure the stanchions would slide. It takes a bit of pressure and they release and start to slide. My question is, what is considered acceptable?
Hairy Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 does it have a fair bit of stickylictiony when you remove all the air from the fork and cycle it up and down .... or is it nice and buttery smooth?
Grebel Posted March 30, 2015 Author Posted March 30, 2015 does it have a fair bit of stickylictiony when you remove all the air from the fork and cycle it up and down .... or is it nice and buttery smooth? That's the odd part.... with no air, it seems smoother at the beginning of the stroke and gets "sticky" towards the end.... That is with the air cap removed and just after the stanchions have been inserted. As the stanchions pass the seals and the bushing align everything it is butter. Edit: that is all done by hand on the bench
Hairy Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 That's the odd part.... with no air, it seems smoother at the beginning of the stroke and gets "sticky" towards the end.... That is with the air cap removed and just after the stanchions have been inserted. As the stanchions pass the seals and the bushing align everything it is butter. Edit: that is all done by hand on the benchCould it be a negative spring issue? DRRRRROOOOOOOO, where are you????
Lexx Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 The Scarriest Part is that you know that Ron Jeremy was a Porn Actor......
Grebel Posted March 30, 2015 Author Posted March 30, 2015 Right, quick test done. All the air released at full extension. There is a "jerk" as the stroke starts and as long as you maintain even pressure it slides OK. As soon as you release pressure it "sticks" and becomes jerky if that makes sense...? Wrong lube on the seals and bushing perhaps? I used GP grease? I am reaching here...
Monark Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 my Fox fork does the same thing... non Kashima... it is annoying...
Spoke101 Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 Right, quick test done. All the air released at full extension. There is a "jerk" as the stroke starts and as long as you maintain even pressure it slides OK. As soon as you release pressure it "sticks" and becomes jerky if that makes sense...? Wrong lube on the seals and bushing perhaps? I used GP grease? I am reaching here... Try get hold of some Fox Gold 20wt oil for the foam rings and lower legs as a lubricant. then apply a liberal amount of Motorex PREPm to the dust wipers just above the foam rings.
GreatGusto Posted March 30, 2015 Posted March 30, 2015 I've found that a little graphite power rubbed onto finger and then rubbed onto on the stanchions helps with squeaky and sticky seals on my Fox 32 front end.
G00SE Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Wrong lube on the seals and bushing perhaps? I used GP grease? I am reaching here... What Spoke said! GP grease is not the right stuff to use in your fork...I'm not sure if it will eliminate the initial stiction, but should make things smoother overall. .... then apply a liberal amount of Motorex PREPm to the dust wipers just above the foam rings.
droo Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 Right, quick test done. All the air released at full extension. There is a "jerk" as the stroke starts and as long as you maintain even pressure it slides OK. As soon as you release pressure it "sticks" and becomes jerky if that makes sense...? Wrong lube on the seals and bushing perhaps? I used GP grease? I am reaching here... GP grease in a fork is a terrible idea. That's what the bath oil is there for. Oil levels are on the Marzocchi site in tech area > tuning tips > oil levels.
droo Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 I've found that a little graphite power rubbed onto finger and then rubbed onto on the stanchions helps with squeaky and sticky seals on my Fox 32 front end. You will be replacing your stanchions very soon sir. I suggest getting your fork serviced ASAP if the seals are squeaking.
Grebel Posted March 31, 2015 Author Posted March 31, 2015 Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll strip and redo the forks this coming weekend.
nonky Posted March 31, 2015 Posted March 31, 2015 The Scarriest Part is that you know that Ron Jeremy was a Porn Actor...... "more lube on that fork than what was present in any Ron Jeremy movie ever made"COMMENT OF 2015
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.