Play in forks

[Bodhbh]

This one is my guess. Using your hand to feel the joins (top and bottom of head tube and around the sliders for the suspension) when you are rocking it will confirm exactly where the movement is originating. Many, if not most, front suspension units will have some play in them.

Ah sorry I should have made it clear, the Kona P2s are rigid forks.

A handy trick is to turn the front wheel 90 degrees and do the same rocking test. If the movement is just play in the brakes then this tends to reduce it significantly. Play in the hub can be diagnosed quickly by waggling the wheel in the forks.

I had a problem once with a headset that I couldn't get adjusted. It turned out that the lower headset cup was moving in the frame, just a tiny bit. Not sure if the frame was damaged, or whether the cup was fractionally too small. A splash of stud locking compound (like a thread lock, but stronger and more permanent) and it's running fine to this day.

This is all good stuff. It's not like there's much going on there, just need to think laterally on what could be causing it. Just got up so not tried replacing the starnut, which will at least rule that in/out, as will the 90degree trick on the brakes.

 

[Norm]

Ah sorry I should have made it clear, the Kona P2s are rigid forks.

Oops! Sorry, should have checked rather than reaching for the "ass-u-me" button when you said it was an MTB.

 

[snailracer]

I did loosen the stem bolts if that's what you mean?

I tried tightening up the top cap bolt earlier, it got tighter up to a point, then it seems to be pulling the star nut up the tube. The play did not go away. Maybe this is the issue - a loose star nut. It would explain why changing the headset did not solve the problem. I googled a bit on this, and seems you can solve the problem with this:

http://www.chainreac...9&ModelID=48381

Although I have some spare star nuts about, I probably should knock the old one through/pull it out and try a new one first. I said it wasn't effecting handling, but noticed today it does make the bike feel unstable doing very tight cornering and braking. It's irritating and needs fixing.

The star nut is not supposed to be a strong fixing, it is only there to help you adjust out the play from the headset bearings. Once the bearing play is removed, tighten up the stem bolts (which should have been loosened off completely before adjusting the cap bolt). It is the stem that holds the headset bearings in place, not the star nut/cap bolt.

It is also much easier to determine correct headset bearing adjustment with the front wheel removed.

You should also check your fork's steerer tube is cut short enough to not obstruct the top cap from tightening down against the stem.

Apologies if this is obvious stuff that you've already covered.

 

[fossyant]

Another stoopid suggestion...............

Are the spacers higher than the top of the steerer by at least 2mm......... ?

 

[Bodhbh]

Stupid and obvious stuff is good, if I was so clever would have solved it myself.

Tried removing the old starnut, degreasign the inside of the steerer tube, putting in a new one and and tightening it as far as it'd go. It still starts pulling out before any play stops. I know it's not really suppose to be tightened this much but thought what the hell. So it's not that headset, not the starnut.

I've got some spare forks with the same crown race mounted on them so I could in theory change them to see if makes any difference. I'm not sure why it should, but running out of things to rule out. I do wonder if it's an issue with the headtube. Maybe I should just take it to the LBS and ask their opinion.

tbh I'd not describe it so much as play, as a springyness. The forks are not rattling about, but they move slightly under pressure and the front end does not feel solid. It's not the tyre flexing, the P2 forks being dead straight, you can line them up with your eyes and see the angle changing slightly when you push the bike forward. Anyhow thanks for all the help.

 

[e-rider]

it's either the headset of the suspension forks - headset is an easy fix; forks not so easy (all sus forks have a small amount fo play)!

 

[Norm]

it's either the headset of the suspension forks - headset is an easy fix; forks not so easy (all sus forks have a small amount fo play)!

Phew, it wasn't just me...

Ah sorry I should have made it clear, the Kona P2s are rigid forks.