rocky_rider

Does anyone know any good web sites that show me how to clean my front suspension fork? Or can anyone just tell me them selfs? I have a 2005 norco havoc, if that helps you guys any. Thanks alot!

vw addict

it would help if you told us what fork it was since that is your question.

Chone

If your bike is stock you should have an SR Suntour Duro T 130mm which isn't that great of a fork but that should answer vw addict's question.

rocky_rider

Its a SR Duro T triple clamp 130 mm travel.

mx_599

you can clean a fork as you would any other part of your bike...and as you should also be doing on yourself.

Soap and water. don't spray pressurized water directly where the fork tubes come together...that's about it.

lately i have been wiping down my whole bike with an "armour all" type product. i assume it is okay unless someone knows something i don't.

rocky_rider

I was just wondering about the seal. How would I go about talking apart the forks and cleaning them out?

mx_599

how long have you been using the forks? you don't need to be doing it that often. do you mean just the seals?? or the whole fork? generally, you don't just take things apart to clean seals...somepeople might, but that is not correct.

basically to take most forks apart you need to take off the caps on the top of the fork tube and iff necessary, take the caps off the inner rod assembly.

then usually you have to unbolt the inner assembly from the bottom of your fork as well...down near your quick release.

the stanchion and lower tube should now separate

use "safe" contact cleaner to clean stuff. i lube o-rings with dielectric grease. etc..

i usually use white lithium grease on seals, i have heard peole say it can damage seals but i have NEVER had a problem and will continue to use it until i do.

does your fork have oil in it?? lube other internals with fresh fork fluid.

don't slice the seals as you put the tubes together

i left out lots of details, but that can get you started...just post follow-up specific questions

rocky_rider

I have only had the bike for a year and figured that I should clean her good and check that everything is in good working order. Ill try all of this and check back later. Thanks alot "mx_599"!

mx_599

i've created a monster...

remember, don't force anything and use the "right" tool. no mickey mousing stuff.

i am assuming these are coil sprung and oil dampened?

be ready for oil to leak out.

are these them?

rocky_rider

yep thats them. Is it ok to drain all the oil, filter it and than replace the oil?

mx_599

you might need to loosen the top triple clamp before you loosen the cap and also keep the bottom triple clamp tight to act as a vice until you break free the cap. you should back the adjusters out before you start. loosen some of these things before you take it off bike. then take it all off and dump oil into something.

you need to get fork oil from a motor cycle shop.

ask about tighten things if you don't know...


the fork caps do not have to be that tight at all.

you need to figure out how much oil goes into each leg

mx_599

no...you need new oil

mx_599

https://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/SID...7&type=service

these pics and diagrams are most likely similar to your fork

check out the FAQ pdf

you should have received a manual that specifies oil height on these forks

rocky_rider

Alright, thanks alot! This has to be the best response I have received in a long time. Thanks alot mx_599!

mx_599

yeah...but don't F anything up on my account!! if you have problems....post your questions!!! i know a lot about forks and i gave you sporadic details at best as quick as i could.

mx_599

if you want a "factory"/trick/professional way of monitoring your travel usage while riding go to your local hardware store/homedepot/lowes and get yourself a large o-ring that will fit snug on your stanchion tube. put it on one side (right) while you have things apart. you might actually have it easy with those forks. i think you could slide it down if the triple clamp assembly is off...for most people, they need the tubes separated to slide an o-ring on.

this is far cooler than a zip-tie

you'll be the envy of all your friends!

Emory

sorry for the small hijack, but mx_599, I have a giant rincon with a suntour "xc60" which I cant find on thier site. It has started to make a noise when it depresses almost like it needs lubrication. I am not sure what type of fork it is beyond being cheap. Something to worry about?

mx_599

sorry...not sure....is it a new noise or a gradual one over time? that would be an awesome fork to learn on...take it apart and investigate

Emory

I just noticed it last ride. Its an odd noise kinda like a pfft. I was thinking it might just be parts rubbing together. How messy will taking a fork apart be? The dorm room has been my workshop for bike cleaning but I dont really want to spill oil everywhere so I might have to take that outside.

mx_599

it shouldn't be that bad. put some newspaper down or paper towels on your counter and try to drain the oil into a bowl...there is not going to be THAT much in them. i wish i could give better advice, but i don't know much about that specific model? does it have springs, elastomers, air? i would say your best bet is to explore a bit....

Emory

No problem, I'm not offering enough info to expect a exact diagnosis. I know it is not air, Id guess that its either elasomer or coil. If I open it I will need new oil to replace the stuff I pour off? Would they have that at a lbs or will I have to find a motor cycle shop?

mx_599

it would be better to go to a motorcycle shop. it would be hard to say exactly what weight to use. i am sure you would be happy with 5wt-10wt. i really like the showa honda fork fluid. i have used it for many years. it is in a black bottle. one bottle will be plenty.

regardless of brand, expect to pay at least 10 dollars or more for a bottle. these are not high tech forks like motocross bikes...so just get any fork fluid at the motorcycle shop.

inspect the o-rings etc...looking for flattening when they are supposed to be round...replace them

clean internals with this...all bike mechs should have something similar to this:

Hopper

Word of warning, take the fork off your bike or atleast take your brake calipers off the fork. The last thing you want to do is contaminate your brakes with fork oil. Also by taking the fork off the bike it is much easier to pump the oil out, get to the internals....

Emory

Thanks, it will probably be a week before I have time to play with this. Damn school always gets in the way. What parts is it safe to use the brake cleaner on? I have been using simple green for my drivetrain and frame.

mx_599

this is the oil i like: