me forks are all wobbleh ;-;

[Hotchy]

So I bought some new Forks the other month off someone on the Forums, I think he said they were Inspired Maguras? They're good forks, they're light and they're straight so they're what I was after, but they wobble to shit, and at first I thought it was because I needed a bigger headset spacer, but I've just fitted one and they still wobble, the up and down wobble has gone, but they still wobble side to side and forwards and backwards a bit.

So basically I need a fix to the problem, I've got a 2010 model Onza Zoot, and as far as I know it's still got the stock headset in it, with the stock bearings, so I'm not sure if it's just because the bearings have worn down so much that's what's creating the wobble, or because the dimensions are completely different to that of the forks, was wondering if anyone knew which of those it'd be?

I'm thinking it's more the dimensions are different, because there's a good 3-4mm of wobble, and I can't see the bearings been worn down that much, when the rest of the bike is fine and didn't have a single scratch or dent when I bought it

Cheers guys

Will

[Mark W]

Have you taken the crown race off your old forks and put it onto the Inspired forks? That's the only thing I can think of that would really cause that much wobble. The bearings in the original Zoot headset wouldn't have been able to wear that much. When they wear they basically just make the headset feel a little notchy so you might have to run it a little slacker to compensate, but you wouldn't get actual play like that.

It's also worth checking you've got all the parts of the top race for the headset too - if memory serves, there'll be a metal ring that sits on the bearings, then a split, conical sort of washer that nestles in there. There'll probably be a little plasticy/rubbery seal there too, but that's not going to affect the play.

Main thing to check would be the crown race though

[Paperclip]

Sounds like your headset is either not tight enough, has a spacer or crown race missing or just the bearings are shot at. You could get replacement bearings for a bearing shop or just swap it for a new one (I'd swap it for a new one personally) Tarty have some pretty cool offers on their advent calendar so might be worth seeing if a related deal pops up.

Doesn't sound anything to do with the forks, for your stem to still fit the forks shows they are the same thickness.

Edit: Mark beat me to it, slow internet is slow.

Edited December 19, 2014 by Paperclip

[Hotchy]

Yeah I think that was the problem, just been to look now, took the crown race off the old forks, but I don't have a tool or anything that I can put it on the Inspired's with, which is annoying, so I'll probably fashion some form of tool out of old piping tomorrow, I'd do it now, but it's freezing outside, and I would quite like to keep my hands

cheers for the help guys

[Mark W]

If you don't have the right sized pipe, you can use an adjustable spanner and a hammer as an alternative. Just open the spanner up around the steerer tube so it sits on top of the top face of the crown race (not the bearing seat!), then tap the side of the spanner with the hammer. If you move the spanner around the crown race you can try and hit it down evenly which will make life much easier.

[Hotchy]

Yeah, I tried doing that at first, but it didn't seem to be doing anything, and it's freezing outside so didn't wanna stick around in my garage for too long haha, I've got shed loads of spare pipe somewhere, so I'm sure I'll be able to find the right size

[Mark W]

It's designed to be a tight fit so it'll take some effort Need to make sure the old one is off too!