Servicing front suspension

[MossCommuter]

I see Evans (and others) offer a service including front-suspension but it's expensive.

What can I / should I do at home? I've never done anything to the front suspension at all but I suspect it needs attention; I can hear the odd creak from it.

"Sun tour NEX 4110 V2 susspensionfork 1 1/8, 63mm travel, Integrated 700C" by the way


thanks


MC

 

[Sleeping Menace]

I see Evans (and others) offer a service including front-suspension but it's expensive.

What can I / should I do at home? I've never done anything to the front suspension at all but I suspect it needs attention; I can hear the odd creak from it.

"Sun tour NEX 4110 V2 susspensionfork 1 1/8, 63mm travel, Integrated 700C" by the way


thanks


MC

Unless you have the expertise and the service manual, it's really not a great idea to tear into a front suspension fork and start puttering around. I don't believe for a minute that Evans is going to do more than wipe the stantions.. and make sure the adjuster knobs seem to move as they should.... they might..but I'd be quite surprised..
Any kind of internal repair on a suspension fork or shock is really best left to one of the place which specialise in that type of work.. ie: TF, or Stendec..etc..
Also.. you often have Marzocchi, or Fox, or.... etc.. specialists..who do VERY well on the fork/shock they know.. and often not so well on other brands.
Send an email over to SunTour and see if they can recommend someone to take it to..

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[Gerry Attrick]

I normally advise anyone to at least have a go at their own repairs and servicing. The problem you run into with suspension forks is that you will almost certainly need special tools which are not available to consumers. Suntour for instance often require a special castellated wrench which can be made if you have the facilities and know how, but then when you get inside the forks, you can only clean and re-lubricate. Try buying the spare parts!

Not all brands are like this, but I've never seen Suntour fork parts for sale.

 

[MossCommuter]

OK, thanks, looks like I need to get the pro's in... Evans @ Trafford is handiest for me so I'd like to use them if poss.

I don't believe for a minute that Evans is going to do more than wipe the stantions.. and make sure the adjuster knobs seem to move as they should.... they might..but I'd be quite surprised..

Do you say that from experience? Their sales blurb says that they do a proper job (and so they should @ that price).

The service includes:

• Comprehensive pre-service test
• Cleaning of the unit
• Full strip down
• Inspection of internal parts
• Replacing all seals as necessary
• Re-building with new oil/lubricant
• Re-pressurisation of air forks
• A comprehensive post-service test

 

[MossCommuter]

Me again...

...just come off the phone from Eddie McGrath in Urmston - never used him before but he sounded like he knows his stuff.

I think I'll take it to him have him look at it and have new forks on if he thinks it's necessary; they're just stock forks and not worth spending 75 quid servicing.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

They seem to cost buttons here:

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/116992.html

You could get two pairs for £75!

 

[Cubist]

What is the problem with the fork in the first place? Is it not doing something that you want it to do (other than not creaking!) ?

I'd be tempted to swap it for a new one. You can upgrade it to a 80mm travel or even a 100mm for less than sixty quid off fleabay.

 

[MossCommuter]

What is the problem with the fork in the first place? Is it not doing something that you want it to do (other than not creaking!) ?

I'd be tempted to swap it for a new one. You can upgrade it to a 80mm travel or even a 100mm for less than sixty quid off fleabay.

I want it not to creak.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

What is the problem with the fork in the first place? Is it not doing something that you want it to do (other than not creaking!) ?

If your forks are at all similar to this in terms of spec then it appears they are coil sprung (without oil damping). If that is the case I am not sure what can readily be done to improve except that suggested in the first 3 steps of this manual, which are worth doing if not already.

I have stripped, serviced and rebuilt forks, but I would hesitate to do so with no service manuals. As Gerry said spare parts, such as bushings if worn, or detailed service manuals are scarce if exist at all for low-end SR Suntour forks. The reason is probably because associated labour cost may form a large part if not exceed such forks' value - e.g. CRC is selling a pair of Suntour 700c 50mm coil sprung suspension forks for £29.

 

[Cubist]

I want it not to creak.

Noble sentiment. I wouldn't want mine to creak either.


I'd bin it and buy another at the prices they can be found at.

 

[rusty bearing]

Agree with recordace, they are basically a use up and throw away.

 

[MossCommuter]

Cheers all

like I said, I think I came to that conclusion and I'll let the bike shop take a look and decide whether to fit a new one.