clicking noise from front end

[SundayRider]

I have a 2009 RSTD. I've got 5000 miles on it and have always had this rattling noise from the front end. I noticed today that it clicks when the front forks are depressed. Seems to be the source of what I thought was a rattle. If I lock the front brake and pump the front end it clicks and as near as I can tell it is coming from the fork. I have tightened the steering head bearings this spring and have no play when I put it on a jack and pull on forks. I can however make the clicking noise by pushing and pulling on the forks (quite hard) and it seems to be coming from the left fork. Any ideas?

 

Thanks, Scott

[eusa1]

pressure wash the part of the shock that has the tin covers where the fork seal would be.

mine will get bugs in there where the two parts telescope together and apart and makes a clicking pop noise over bumps.

[SundayRider]

It's a possibility. It sure has gotten loud. Thanks

[cowpuc]

Not real familiar with the 2nd Gens SundayRider..... On some of the newer bikes (post 1990's) I know they have a "floater" brake disc, its a disc that actually moves a little on pins. I had a YZ250 once that had one and it made some very familiar noises of which you speak and it had me thinking some of the same thoughts as you bring up..

Might wanna check those brake components that your pressing against while moving the forks up and down.. You could even put your front wheel against a wall instead of using your brakes to bounce against, then press down on the forks and see if it still makes noise.. If it does, you will at least KNOW it is fork related.

Another possibility is that the inner fork system that is held in place by a bolt thru the bottom of the outer fork tube has come loose and is allowing the internal rod/valving mechanism to clunk against the bottom of the fork tube where it is attached.. Most bikes I have worked on have an allen head bolt that can be a rascal to loosen up that attaches the internal rod..

If your bike is built in the method I am talking about and this is the problem,, all you would have to do is remove the front axle, drop the front wheel, look under the end of the front forks and you should see an opening with an allen head bolt in it.. Get an allen wrench and check both sides for tightness.. If one is loose, it is possible you will need an air wrench to spin it back to tightness as sometimes - once they are broke loose the internals will spin with the bolt so you cant get it to tighten..

Just some thoughts..

Puc

[SundayRider]

I have put it against a wall and it still does it. It is even clicking just by turning the wheel back and forth. When I put my ear down by the left fork it sounds like it's inside the fork. Hard to tell with all the chrome covering it. Leaving Thursday morning for a few days around Mackinaw so I'm hoping it's nothing dangerous.

[cowpuc]

Any chance you could get a friend to bounce it for you while you listen and move things around in the fork area? Hold the speedo cable, lightly touch the chrome coverings,, use your fingers to feel for the noise source..

I would also put a wrench on all the associated nuts and bolts on the front end before I ran off with it,, maybe the fork tubes are loose in the triple tree or you have a loose fork brace tieing the forks together...

Another note,, I had one once that someone put a new front tire on and didnt set the front forks properly on the axle.. Instead of clamping the fork on the ax after tightening down the axle they clamped it first and then tightened the axle, virtually putting the forks in a major bind... Just something else to check...

[SundayRider]

I think pulling the front tire is probably a good idea. The axle binding is a real possibility. I had that on the rear of a Venture I owned. The previous owner didn't understand the concept and that bike was dangerous in corners. This bike acts weird in corners and it is coming from the front. Thanks Puc. I hadn't thought of that.