RST Gila TL Stuck
04-07-16, 06:16 AM
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RST Gila TL Stuck
#1 9 hours ago
I purchased a used specialized hardrock with the original RST gila suspention fork, but it is frozen and won't move under normal use. I've removed the lower screws and attempted to hit it with a rubber mallet like the guy in this video does to the exact same shock, but it won't move. I've also gotten a car jack in between the break arm of the shock and the top of the fork, and i've cranked it up. the shock lowers move about an inch but then the jack pops out and they rebound back to where they were instantly and i have to lower the jack again to get it in. what could be holding the shocks in place like this? they don't seem to be rusted closed since they move a little.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d534...&nohtml5=False
I purchased a used specialized hardrock with the original RST gila suspention fork, but it is frozen and won't move under normal use. I've removed the lower screws and attempted to hit it with a rubber mallet like the guy in this video does to the exact same shock, but it won't move. I've also gotten a car jack in between the break arm of the shock and the top of the fork, and i've cranked it up. the shock lowers move about an inch but then the jack pops out and they rebound back to where they were instantly and i have to lower the jack again to get it in. what could be holding the shocks in place like this? they don't seem to be rusted closed since they move a little.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d534...&nohtml5=False
04-07-16, 07:27 AM
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Rust? Andy
04-07-16, 10:13 AM
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yea rust is assumed . you bought used that may be why they sold it. 
Buy a whole new fork or if 1" (threaded ?)steerer, probably a Non suspension fork with long legs to not change the steering..
since suspension forks have gone to threadless 1 1/8" long ago and 1" forks are rare..
Low cost OEM forks no rebuild kits were ever Made. RST is a modest price fork company .
Buy a whole new fork or if 1" (threaded ?)steerer, probably a Non suspension fork with long legs to not change the steering..
since suspension forks have gone to threadless 1 1/8" long ago and 1" forks are rare..
Low cost OEM forks no rebuild kits were ever Made. RST is a modest price fork company .
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-07-16 at 10:23 AM.
04-07-16, 10:30 AM
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Those Gila forks are not worth much effort. There's one on eBay now for $45 plus $22 shipping. You can buy them all day long on eBay for in the mid-$80s.
Hitting the bridge like in that video is poor technique. The proper approach is to unscrew those bottom bolts maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Then (carefully!) whack them with a plastic mallet. Doing so unsticks the rods inside the fork from the fork legs.
Here's a video from SRAM showing the technique. Watch from about 1:15 forward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl0GdF0w5hI
Aside from possibly damaging the fork, the guy in that one video you link to is working against himself. The suspension will tend to extend and and absorb his blows. But I would worry more about damaging the fork. Never hit one by the bridge. Follow the technique in the video from Sram.
Hitting the bridge like in that video is poor technique. The proper approach is to unscrew those bottom bolts maybe 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Then (carefully!) whack them with a plastic mallet. Doing so unsticks the rods inside the fork from the fork legs.
Here's a video from SRAM showing the technique. Watch from about 1:15 forward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl0GdF0w5hI
Aside from possibly damaging the fork, the guy in that one video you link to is working against himself. The suspension will tend to extend and and absorb his blows. But I would worry more about damaging the fork. Never hit one by the bridge. Follow the technique in the video from Sram.
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delicmaro
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