Fork Noise

[pennyrobber]

A fellow DMF'er with a GT 1000 had taken his fork caps off to swap springs and change the oil and found a thin washer mangled and hanging between the spring and the damping rod. It was the first time the forks had been apart so it had came from the factory that way. I believe they were the Marzochi forks. Loose parts can definitely make some noise.

[scott_araujo]

A fellow DMF'er with a GT 1000 had taken his fork caps off to swap springs and change the oil and found a thin washer mangled and hanging between the spring and the damping rod. It was the first time the forks had been apart so it had came from the factory that way. I believe they were the Marzochi forks. Loose parts can definitely make some noise.

I remember that, but it was making a squeaking, crunching noise with any and all movement.  I think this is something different. 

Still, I think it's worth the money and effort to take them apart, clean, inspect, and refill with new oil.  It might be a quick, easy fix.  If it only confirms they're shot you're out the cost of a quart of fork oil and an afternoon's time.  If they're fixable you can fix or not.  If you do, you can keep them or sell them to offset the cost of another fork.  Worst case, at least you've been inside some cartridge forks.  If you buy a used set you'll probably want to rebuild them before installing them anyway so this is nice practice.

I just wouldn't want to go through all the trouble and expense of replacing forks without even knowing what's wrong with the ones I have.

Scott