|   Anyone have problems with Manitou forks? help!?!??!? | mgdmike
Mar 23, 2003 3:54 PM | | I have a manitou fork on my stumpjumper and have had repeated problems since I got it. The fork just doesnt seem to want to hold its pressure. I've had new seals put in it 3 times over the last 2 years and it still doesnt seem to work. After a hard downhill the fork is empty. Yesterday I was doing some riding and went over my bars (I went into an unforseeable small ditch!) and when I got back on my bike (still some 12 miles from home) my suspension had no pressure in it. I didnt think I put that much pressure on it... It also seems like after rides dirt collects on the rubber fork casing that covers the top of the fork. I refill air in the left side with my fork pump but its only a short term fix. Is there anything else I can do to fix the fork or help the fork maintain pressure? Is there anything I need to check? Do I need to check the right side from leaking? Can I replace the oil lost in either the left or right side without taking it to a shop? What type of oil do you use? This has been a bit frustrating. Please help if possible.
Thanks
Mike |
| Without knowing which fork you've got, | Twilight Error®
Mar 23, 2003 5:33 PM | | I can only offer a bit of generic Manitou advice.
Manitou doesn't use seals in the way most people think of them. The only 'seals' in one of their air forks is the piston and o-ring in the cap. I've got an idea of whats wrong with your fork, the piston is dry and not sealing against the inside of the stanction properly. The fix is to pour some fork oil - any weight will do - onto the piston so its just covered. This will keep everything in there lubricated. Make sure to lube the O-ring and threads at the topcap while you've got it open.
If you're still loosing air, replace the schrader valve in the topcap (it screws right out) with one from a new innertube. |
| that's easy | J.D.
Mar 23, 2003 5:35 PM | | just todd the manitude and put one of these on it:
you're welcome |
| I'll second that... | TwoWheelinTim
Mar 23, 2003 10:03 PM | | I like my forks like I like my...ummm anyway...low maintenance.
I like my Vicious and my Surly forks.
Tim |
| re: join the club, Manitou forks SUCK | Hrdkor
Mar 23, 2003 5:56 PM | | I had a BLACK Elite 100/120 and was told it would be the last fork I'd own. The rebound dampening went out THREE, count um, THREE times. And that was with the heaviest spring. Oh sure Manitou would rebuild it every time, and I had a back up fork (an Manitou X-Vert Super, and that has been a dependable fork) but I still had no confidence in it, and ended up giving it away. In rebuilding the fork myself, it was my observation that they just use cheap plastic parts that break easy. At least in that fork. Now I have a Marzocchi Z1 Freeride and have never looked back, a great fork! |
| Don't believe this guy. | Finch Platte
Mar 23, 2003 6:22 PM | | He tries to get friends not to ride by telling them about fraudulent Doppler radar reports.
fp |
| funny guy | Hrdkor
Mar 23, 2003 6:55 PM | | You're a funny guy, ya always been that funny? Ya know there's like 20,000 unemployed comedians in this country? why do ya gotta go give'n m more copetition? |
| Thanks for the advice... I'll try it out. nm | mgdmike
Mar 23, 2003 6:02 PM | | |
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