It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:13 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Fork lowers service
PostPosted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:40 am 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:20 pm
Posts: 234
Given: 282 thanks
Received: 490 thanks
Favorite Trails: ???
This weekend I decided to finally do my first-ever service of fork lowers. The guinea pig for this first attempt was my wife's bike, which just so happens to be my old bike. The Pike fork that's on the bike was installed in November 2017 and has had not a single cleaning or service since then. As you can see from the attached picture of the old foam rings and seals this service was way overdue. The oil that came out was completely dirty with obvious particles of dirt.

Attachment:
IMG_20190921_192235.jpg
IMG_20190921_192235.jpg [ 3.55 MiB | Viewed 4699 times ]


Overall the service was pretty easy to do: release pressure, unscrew lower bolts, smash bolts with hammer, pull lowers off, clean, replace foam rings/seals, put lowers back on, add oil, replace crush washers, tighten bolts, beer.

I only had two issues. The first one was getting off the old seals which I was told could be done with a tire lever but which really didn't work for me. I found that a crescent wrench did the trick, provided you used a wrapped up towel to protect the fork.

The second, and much more difficult issue, was getting the lowers back onto the stanchions without folding one or both seals under. This would be made much easier if they could make one of the stanchions about 1/4" longer than the other, but instead they are the same length which means you have to try to align both legs up simultaneously. I think it took me about ten tries to do this right. If any of you more proficient mechanics out there have any tips on making this part easier, I'd appreciate the tips.

Up next is to think about doing the same on my Fox 36 fork, which sadly seems to require completely different oil for some silly reason.

_________________
I do not think it means what you think it means.


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 3 users would like to thank Inconceivable for his or her post:
avidtest, OldDogDan, tfitz
 Post subject: Re: Fork lowers service
PostPosted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:02 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:47 am
Posts: 2182
Given: 6166 thanks
Received: 6399 thanks
Bike(s): mango. pivot. chumba
Favorite Trails: san jaun. arizona trails
Thank you for your post I have not done anything to my forks and need to. I don’t know if it’s possible to bevel the sharp end of the chrome a little so the seals don’t catch.

_________________
We'll ride it till they pave it. -Clyde
ImageImage


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank tfitz for his or her post:
Inconceivable
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group