Reply to thread

Each element of the front suspension is simple by themselves to check. If you are putting the whole assembly completely together and then checking, you can only guess as to which element is the problem.  So, the answer is to go backwards. Remove the dampers and springs and just concentrate on the sliders and fork tubes with no wheel installed or axle connecting them.


Seat the bushings and tighten the slider cap.  Does each slider move freely??  If not, then your problem is related to the bushing/fork tube interface.  As was said, that could be an out of square bushing being distorted when you tighten the cap OR improperly sized bushing or fork tube.  It could also be a bent fork tube or some debris in the slider recess distorting the the bushing when it's pressed home...


If your sliders move freely when assembled alone, then remove the spring from the damper assembly and check that the damper moves freely (without oil in it since you are just checking for some sort of blockage or broken part)  If they seem good then assemble the springs but don't install yet.


Next, I would assemble the wheel and axle temporarily on the sliders.  Push the wheel up to compress the slider upward and then tighten the pinch bolt on the primary side of the axle.  At this point your 2 sliders are supposed to move together without binding.  If the sliders moved freely individually, but now there's binding, then you have narrowed down your possibilities to a few things.  Bent fork tube, twisted fork yokes.  You should be aware that a common mistake is forgetting to pump the forks a few times before you secure the axle pinch bolt.  Pumping them helps align the sliders before you secure the pinch bolt and will cause binding if it's misaligned when tightening the bolt.


Your damper cartridges and springs will cause resistance because that's what they are designed to do, but they shouldn't be the cause of binding,... which if you followed my statement above the only way they could is if something was maybe broken inside the damper and was jamming the movement somehow....  but not likely...


If nothing is binding then pull the axle, assemble the dampers and install them, add fork oil,  then reassemble the axle and wheel, being carefull to pump the forks before you tighten the pinch bolt... 


The big issue is you have to go backwards and test fit and measure all the individual pieces and inspect their fit to see if you can find the issue.  good luck


Back
Top