Crappy Forks

[darrenhopper]

Story - I'm running a Stock Control Fork on this years Control Frame through a Pig Ball bearing Headset.

Just recently it's started to develop a nasty click when I rock the bike on the front brake. I get the impression it's the steerer tube moving round inside the crown??

I don't think it's the brake mounts or the headset, everything has been stripped down, lubed & re-built. I can't see any damage to the frame or fork & I really have looked.

Has anyone else had the clicking or done damage to one of these Forks / Frames?

Suggestions?

[Nick Garland]

Checked your disc is all tight, this happened to me too.

[Robwalker]

What sort of brake are you using?

[JonCongreve]

You can't check for headsets and forks with the brakes on, as your pads will be slightly loose. Turn your bars 90 degrees to your frame and 'rock' the front end. If it still feels loose then check your headset and steerer on your forks.

[darrenhopper]

I'm using a maggy on the front & while rocking the front end I was holding the fork at 90 degrees. There is no visible or audible movement when it's like that.

The clicking comes when the fork is pointing forwards. The movement doesn't come from the brake. I checked that by bolting the fork into a nutted axle in the bench vice & rocking the bike forward & back holding the bars.

There is a definite click sound to be heard. I've got the notion it's coming from movement where the steerer is pressed into the fork crown & only welded round the bottom.

I'm not sure about that though & hence the reason for asking if anyone else has had similar bothers.

Cheers for the help so far, keep it coming.

[Muel]

I'm using a maggy on the front & while rocking the front end I was holding the fork at 90 degrees. There is no visible or audible movement when it's like that.

The clicking comes when the fork is pointing forwards. The movement doesn't come from the brake. I checked that by bolting the fork into a nutted axle in the bench vice & rocking the bike forward & back holding the bars.

There is a definite click sound to be heard. I've got the notion it's coming from movement where the steerer is pressed into the fork crown & only welded round the bottom.

I'm not sure about that though & hence the reason for asking if anyone else has had similar bothers.

Cheers for the help so far, keep it coming.

Its not a problem, mine do the same. Its your brake pads moving in the cylinders.

To check, hold the pad and rock the bike, you will feel it moving in the cylinder.

Edited June 6, 2007 by KuelMuel

[spider]

I know about this problem. I'm a bike mechanic and i have seen it before on the same echo forks. does the steerer tube only got weld on the lower crown? If it does- its the same as my frind's bike. echo told him its no problem. on cannondale's fatty's there is no weld - just plain good press fit. I Konw it can drive you crazy. Ask echo to send you MP3. Its cheap in china. (so you can listen to your favorit music insted..)

Edited June 7, 2007 by spider

[darrenhopper]

I know about this problem. I'm a bike mechanic and i have seen it before on the same echo forks. does the steerer tube only got weld on the lower crown? If it does it the same as my frind's bike. echo told him its no problem. on cannondale's fatty's there is no weld - just plain good press fit. I Konw it can drive you crazy. Ask echo to send you MP3. Its cheap in china. (so you can listen to your favorit music insted..)

That's good to hear, I reckon I'll drill out a bit of a hole in the front & rear of the crown... blow a little weld in to hold it all tight. Should be pretty solid after that.

Cheers for the help.

[spider]

Try to force some cooked oil inside the gap (to low the clicking sound volume down) and insted of welding , try to use a 5 m"m nut and screw. If you grind it (the bolt's head) nicely and paint it black it will hardly be noticed, and press everything tight in order to avoid you from riding with that MP3 . Good luck...