Front suspension

[Wombat]

Got my bike back after the water pump O-ring debacle- The front was starting to play up a bit (rebounding a bit too quick) just at the start of winter. I put my bike in for a service (72,000k) and when I got it back it had developed this weird sensation of when the suspension rebounds it feels like it rattles a bit (or a jangly sensation). The springs were changed 5 years ago with Ohlins progressive springs suited to my weight 90kgs (0.9kg springs?)

When I took the bike back to get the new pump fitted, I asked them to change the fork oil as it hadn't been changed in that time, and they fiddled around with the rebound and preload settings.
The sensation is still there.

Here's my line of thinking:

i) the springs are past their service limit leaving a gap in the fork - ergo the rattle
possibly cured by putting a longer spacer in the line.
ii) need for new springs and refurbish
iii) something broken inside?
iv) steering head bearings? They said they adjusted them at the last service?

So far - $370 for service and "repair" to waterpump oil ring - lasted a day before it was leaking more profusely.
$377 for new water pump.
$205 for new fork oil and replacement of new waterpump.

All this for a bike that feels worse than when it went in.

Oh well, at least the waterpump isn't leaking oil anymore...................

Am I on the right track or should I just hand it over to a suspension specialist?

Bob

[DAYS]

Am I on the right track or should I just hand it over to a suspension specialist?

Bob

mate i allways take my bike's to Terry Hays. Bike shops have no F#$%^N idea. Some dumb arse who thinks he no's what he is doing but dont no shit. Wombat suspension is a black art and the specialist is the best way to go. 5 years since the spirngs where done my bet is they are done and dusted

[Stu99]

I always do as much as I possibly can myself or get out some manuals and learn to do it. At least that way although it may take a little longer at least you know it's done right. For everything else you've just got to find someone you can really trust. Sadly that is not always so easy. With suspension, if you need to use someone a specialist suspension tuner with a good rep is the way to go.
I once used a shop to do some front end work that I just couldn't get the time to do, and heading home(at 100km/h motorway) the front end started clattering and shaking, pulling over, to check things, I found amongst other things, most of the triple clamp bolts had disappeared as some idiot obviously forgot to do them up properly. These days I wait until I have the time to do it myself. Luckily I also know a trustworthy place or two for the stuff I can't do.
I'd be having some harsh words to those monkeys for what they have done and charged you though. A shop has no right to charge for something they don't fix, let alone make worse.
Good luck with getting it sorted.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

And has the bike shop just thrown it back together or set up your correct sag.. and what oil weight was used??

[Wombat]

Been in contact via email with Jim from Zenodamper in Lidcombe. From what I've described he reckons it's more than likely the damper rods are cactus. Will book it in soon to get this sorted.

Bob

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

Prob cost you just over $300 to get emulators fitted or $500 for full conversion with springs also... May be well worth looking at the options open to you...

[DAYS]

Been in contact via email with Jim from Zenodamper in Lidcombe. From what I've described he reckons it's more than likely the damper rods are cactus. Will book it in soon to get this sorted.

Bob

Bob Jim is very good he has done 3 of my mates bikes 1 off them 2 weeks ago. they all loved his work and not over priced for what he does

[dandywarhol]

Been in contact via email with Jim from Zenodamper in Lidcombe. From what I've described he reckons it's more than likely the damper rods are cactus. Will book it in soon to get this sorted.

Bob

i'd be interested to hear what Jim form Zenodamper finds - I can't think of anything in the damper rods which would cause a rattle - it's just a tube with some holes in it....................

At 72,000k it sounds more like worn bushes to me. It wouldn't be spring weakness if there's some preload on the spring - unless the forks are completely topping out on rebound, which would suggest there isn't enough initial sag (too much preload)

0.90 springs will give the damping a harder time than stock 0.5 springs, so heavier oil would be required as the forks will tend to rebound faster

[Wombat]

Just rang him then and am dropping the bike in on Friday, for him to have a look at next week. Will be very interested to see what he finds?

Bob

[Beau]

I'm struggling to believe it will be the damper rods mate. Not sure what it will be, but that doesn't seem right.

Hope it's simple, whatever it is.