shock problems after front wheel change

jdager · 05-21-2008

Hey guys,
I just changed my front wheel and tire today and after I got it all back together, I am having problems with my front shocks. when I push down on the front of the bike, the shocks drop down and then stick and dont bounce back, and it sounds like air is leaking out when I push down??? I know the seals are bad and it has been leaking oil, so I dont know if it just ran out of oil and I need to get those seals replaced, or if I didn't get something put back together right? please help
thanks,
Jim

#34 KX 250 · 05-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdager

Hey guys,
I just changed my front wheel and tire today and after I got it all back together, I am having problems with my front shocks. when I push down on the front of the bike, the shocks drop down and then stick and dont bounce back, and it sounds like air is leaking out when I push down??? I know the seals are bad and it has been leaking oil, so I dont know if it just ran out of oil and I need to get those seals replaced, or if I didn't get something put back together right? please help
thanks,
Jim

well im not a suspention expert but u need to take them in to be rebuilt or if u are mechanically inclined, do them urself. it does need new seals and oil BUT it never hurts to go in there and clean em out

vn2kbob · 05-22-2008

Definitely get it checked out and let us know what happened. Interesting that it happened after installing the front wheel.

RichLockyer · 05-22-2008

Did you compress the front end before tightening the axle's pinch bolts?

XR893 · 05-22-2008

I reckon the axles binding up for sure. Loosen the axle nut and pinch bolts,bounce up an down a couple of times the tighten it back up.

RichLockyer · 05-22-2008

If the axle threads into the side the rotor is on (Yamaha is this way), all you need to do is loosen the pinch bolts opposite the rotor and compress it a few times.... just lock the front brake and push forward while bouncing down on the bars, or put the tire against a wall. A couple of good stroked should do it.

Tom_E has a good method too, but I'm not sure if it'll work on that bike... Take the fork springs out to let the front suspension bottom out, then tighten the axle while it's bottomed.
Works on the big Vulcan cruisers... won't work on a Yamaha.

jdager · 05-22-2008

yep, I loosened the axle bolts and bounced on the suspension a few times to get the forks straight, then tightened it back up, and it works great now. thanks for the ideas guys
Jim

05-21-2008	#1 (permalink)
jdager Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 38	shock problems after front wheel change Hey guys, I just changed my front wheel and tire today and after I got it all back together, I am having problems with my front shocks. when I push down on the front of the bike, the shocks drop down and then stick and dont bounce back, and it sounds like air is leaking out when I push down??? I know the seals are bad and it has been leaking oil, so I dont know if it just ran out of oil and I need to get those seals replaced, or if I didn't get something put back together right? please help thanks, Jim

05-22-2008	#3 (permalink)
vn2kbob Minimizing the Regrets! Forum Supporter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Mountains of Utah Posts: 1,535	Definitely get it checked out and let us know what happened. Interesting that it happened after installing the front wheel. __________________ Bob's '08 Mean Streak

05-22-2008	#4 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 20,063	Did you compress the front end before tightening the axle's pinch bolts? __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

05-22-2008	#6 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 20,063	If the axle threads into the side the rotor is on (Yamaha is this way), all you need to do is loosen the pinch bolts opposite the rotor and compress it a few times.... just lock the front brake and push forward while bouncing down on the bars, or put the tire against a wall. A couple of good stroked should do it. Tom_E has a good method too, but I'm not sure if it'll work on that bike... Take the fork springs out to let the front suspension bottom out, then tighten the axle while it's bottomed. Works on the big Vulcan cruisers... won't work on a Yamaha. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

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05-22-2008	#5 (permalink)
XR893 Uncle Bob's Love Child BTK Intermediate Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 257	I reckon the axles binding up for sure. Loosen the axle nut and pinch bolts,bounce up an down a couple of times the tighten it back up.

05-22-2008	#7 (permalink)
jdager Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 38	yep, I loosened the axle bolts and bounced on the suspension a few times to get the forks straight, then tightened it back up, and it works great now. thanks for the ideas guys Jim

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