Dry suspension?

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ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
I've had my MTB for over a year now.
It's not been used in anger (well couple of times) but I do use the hydraulic suspension (it has lock out) as it helps my bad shoulder and stops my arm/hand going numb.
I noticed last week that something was a bit squeaky and when I got home, noticed that there were light rust-like marks on the forks, obviously where the suspension had been moving.

I've never done anything other than keep the suspension forks dry after rides.
Does it need looking at by a mechanic? Or oiled? (how?) Or something else?
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
What bike/forks are these. I would say any rust/powder/abrasion marks on the forks sliders is a sign that immediate attention is required. It may be that they are a simple design and just need the lower legs dropping off for a clean and regrease or it might be more involved than that. Both my kids have bikes where the chrome has rusted and the sliders now need regular greasing to keep the things working. These are cheap, simple forks so not a big job or show stopper performance wise but you definitely need to get this looked at now.
 
Location
Loch side.
Suspension forks need regular service. More expensive units have an internal oil bath that is eventually consumed and/or contaminated and the seals, wipers and lubrication needs to be replenished. The service interval of these forks is around 50 hours.

Cheaper forks have stanchions made from chromed steel and do not have oil baths but simply a bit of grease inside. These need service even more regularly but unfortunately a service costs about as much as a new fork. Your maintenance strategy here is always a dilemma and since these forks work so poorly in anyway, you may as well let it go to pot. I suppose the best strategy is to learn to service it yourself, which isn't all that difficult.

It sounds to me like your fork has steel stanchions and the chrome plating has developed rust underneath. There's not much you can do. If you have some DIY skills you could pull off the sliders (lower part) and regrease the stanchions.

Why not show a photo and reveal the fork brand and model?
 
OP
OP
ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
It's a Specialized Myka Sports Disc

On the pic you can *just* make out a mark where the suspension has been moving...there is a pale rust coloured mark but I have noticed it darker.
And it squeaks a bit...

20150513_170000.png
 

derrick

The Glue that binds us together.
Just try spraying it over the shiny chrome and wipe of excess, see what it does, those seals are probably shot, so it might run down inside. worth a try.
What shocks are they?
 
Location
Loch side.
I can't figure out what type of fork it is and Specialized is notorious for proprietary parts. Nevertheless, it doesn't look too serious at all. The good news is that the scuff marks are not linear scratches up and down, which means there is no dirt trapped inside the wipers (those black rubber rings on top). The advice to try and get some lube in there is good. Try and pry the lip away and squirt some white lithium grease (from a squirt can) inside there. Problem with some of the other squirty lube products is that they contain chlorine that causes some rubbers to go soft and then you get a black gummy residue on the fork. If you don't have lithium grease, use 3-in-one. The trick is to get it behind the lip because the wiper is so effective, it will simply wipe - like a car's windscreen wiper - the oil to the top with the first stroke of the suspension. Wiper seals are designed to let a bit of oil out with each outwards stroke but sweep clean each inwards stroke. This is to keep the wiper itself lubricated so that it doesn't run like a dry windscreen wiper on a dry windscreen and "burn" away.

Short story, oil it but lift the seal away by using something thin but not a blade.
 

MikeW-71

Veteran
Location
Carlisle
Suntour fork.

Clean up the chromed legs and spray on some GT85 as suggested and see what it does. Ideally, the fork could be stripped down, legs cleaned and re-greased. I did mine twice before I decided they were shot and upgraded them with a Rockshox air fork. (I had been taking them down rough red runs to be fair)
 

howard2107

Well-Known Member
Location
Leeds
Whatever method you use to get down behind the seal. DONT use a screwdriver, if you damage the lip on the inside of the seal, which is out of sight, your forks will go downhill (pardon the pun) in no time at all. Make sure you use a blunt non metallic tool of some sort. Cut a piece from a plastic drinks bottle and try to slide it down behind the seal, it may be easier if you put some soap or washing up liquid on the plastic, but it will be tight, it is a seal and is meant to keep crap out, so it will resist you trying to poke something in there, but with care and cunning you should be OK.
 
OP
OP
ScotiaLass

ScotiaLass

Guru
Location
Middle Earth
Suntour fork.

Clean up the chromed legs and spray on some GT85 as suggested and see what it does. Ideally, the fork could be stripped down, legs cleaned and re-greased. I did mine twice before I decided they were shot and upgraded them with a Rockshox air fork. (I had been taking them down rough red runs to be fair)
Yeah, they are rubbish suntours but tbh, I don't do enough rough stuff to warrant an upgrade.
 

MikeW-71

Veteran
Location
Carlisle
Yeah, they are rubbish suntours but tbh, I don't do enough rough stuff to warrant an upgrade.
Yours will be in far better shape than mine ended up.

It's fairly easy to strip them. A nut at the bottom of one fork leg, an allen bolt on the other and then a good strong pull will split them. Make sure any spacers come out of the internals and pop them back where they came from before re-assembly. Clean and grease the seals and the polished legs. They should feel much better after that.
 
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