Hard to turn clickers

[MikeT]

Hard to turn clickers

What makes fork and shock clickers hard to turn? I just got a 2000 YZ250 and the fork clickers are hard to turn and the rebound clicker on the shock is pretty stiff also. Is there something I can do to make them easier to turn? The suspension works wonderful but I am wondering if maybe there is some maintenance I need to do on them.. Any Ideas?

 

[MikeT]

anybody?

 

[russ17]

MikeT,
If the fork or shock hasn't been serviced in awhile, you could have a sludge build up in them or some sort of obstical in there, best to pull the adjusters out. A good cleaning might help this.
Lately I have seen the piston ports completly blocked by this, as they have never been service


Russ

 

[MikeT]

The bike has maybe 20 hours on it and the fork oil was changed by the previous owner when the seals were changed. My old 1996 never had this problem....

 

[russ17]

I have seen brand new bikes that have never been ridden have sludge in the base.
I believe there was a post awhile back that also mentioned this.

 

[MikeT]

I have seen brand new bikes that have never been ridden have sludge in the base.
I believe there was a post awhile back that also mentioned this.

Was the post on sludge in the base or hard to turn clickers? I'd like to see it. I'll try doing a search.

 

[MikeT]

Come on all you suspension gurus!! Show me your stuff... Or has this question stumped you? Only russ has an idea on this?

 

[marcusgunby]

Ive had a few like this-after a good clean and fresh oil they work like new-no real tricks either-they just seem to free up.

 

[bclapham]

dont worry Mike, it doesnt matter where the clickers are on my yz forks, they are still crap- you arent missing much!

 

[MikeT]

Ive had a few like this-after a good clean and fresh oil they work like new-no real tricks either-they just seem to free up.

Marcus, are you talking about completely dis assembling the forks and washing the clickers out with some sort of solvent?

 

[marcusgunby]

I didnt even wash then with a detergent-the clickers if you take them apart is just a needle on a thread and a o ring seal, its the o ring seal that becomes dry and makes them hard to turn, i take the base valve out flush then in the parts washer and then work the clicker and it normally frees up.

 

[dbrace]

On seized adjusters, here in the land of Chad Reed we have a product called CLR.
Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover. I let the adjuster soak for a few hours and they generally free up. Works real well on lower fork leg adjusters that haven't been turned for ages and are exposed to the elements.

 

[russ17]

Ah ha, I have seen that advertised on the tube here in the states.
I will keep that in mine in case I get one of those PIA ones.

Russ

 

[MikeT]

i take the base valve out flush then in the parts washer and then work the clicker and it normally frees up.

Marcus, on my forks, the reboud is the one that is harder to turn and I'd like to start with it. Can I just remove the cap, as if I were going to change a spring, and work with that? Once that cap is removed should the clicker be removed or do I just drop the whole thing in parts cleaner?

 

[DEANSFASTWAY]

Wd 40

 

[marcusgunby]

You cant dissassemble the rebound adjuster-like dean says wd40 and work the adjuster.

 

[ShawnMc]

Id like to know this too. How do you get the clicker out of the fork cap or rebound adjuster? (Ive ride a honda with a showa fork)

 

[marcusgunby]

Ive heard its possible but have never dont it.

 

[sunnyboy]

Russ I Right ---they Are Dirty --nothing Else Needs To Be Said

 

[DEANSFASTWAY]

Some might be pressed together or peened over but some just come apart in a systematic type of way . Marzocci stuff would sometimes fall apart.

 

[DEANSFASTWAY]

Sometimes KTM PDS rebound adjusters get seized if the rubber cap gets moisture under it from swampy stuff powerwashing etc. then it has to be disassembled and greased. Alot of times shock rebound adjusters need to be referenced to the shaft depth or they wont work . Some Showa forks also. Sometimes I use this stuff from a gun supply house called bullet lube, It made from beeswax and when warmed up its very flowable then ewhen it dries it gets pasty . Works good for some things even gets into those heim joints that seem to be ungreaseable.