Noob needs advice..

[R-johnson88]

My front fork has been giving me some trouble, with stiffening up after jumps, and it seems to be ' grinding ' and a slight cracking sound when i'm lifting the bike and turn the wheel to the left (while straddling the frame). I'm debating getting all the bearings cleaned and or replaced. I've also tried removing some of the sand with an air chuck but am getting no where.
Any advice as to be what's causing it?

Thanks in advance!

[Pilotman28]

Year/Make/Model of fork is needed to help with this.

[R-johnson88]

SR Suntour M2000
2006 i believe? could be 2007
Schwinn is the make of the bike, i do believe Suntour being the make of the fork.
Obviously i don't know too much when it comes to bikes, period.

[egordon]

Look on ebay, you can pick up a new fork for less than $75 They have brand new rockshox dart2 for $79 shipped.. Or something decent used for 35 to 50 ..I know when we talked you said you didnt want to spend alot of money.. Post on here in the looking to buy section.. plenty of people have upgraded that forks and probably have something better than what ya got they will dump cheap.. I saw your fork honestly the U is just going to tear it up because its going to keep bottoming out... Make sure what you buy if you do has the posts for your V brakes..

[R-johnson88]

alright, appreciate the advice I'll probably post something on here, and see what people have.

[Endo]

try putting some oil on the tubes for the sticking....not wd40 or another degreaser type though. not sure what to tell you about the sounds.

[R-johnson88]

well already made the wd40 mistake. :(
going to see how much it cost to have it overhauled as a quick fix until i can get the trip we're taking soon out of the way.

[Endo]

well...i've put wd40 on one of my forks (marzocci) and it did not destroy it, but i've read that it will degrade the seals. i use fork oil now.

Not sure if it would be worth spending the $$ on a suntour -- especially if it is the one with the springs on the outside (just under the boots) ....i've got a rock shox i'll let go for $40 with full head set if you are interested...you'll just need to get a shop to install it on your bike...should not take a shop long to do it...prolly 15 minutes.

[R-johnson88]

I had my bearings replaced today for 10.
I might be interested in a few weeks after the trip we're taking but can't afford it as of now.

[Endo]

cool...$10 sounds like a bargin. heck you may get another year of out of it.

[R-johnson88]

i think it was like 12 total to rip it open and clean it all and replace the bearings.
I went easy on it today and still bottomed out once so once we get this trip out of the way i'll get back to you to see if you still have it, if you're selling it and other people want it don't hold it, though.

[BigKev78]

In my experience with a suntour fork, it was worthless on the trail. Anything larger than a pebble and it would bottom out. Theres always good deals on pricepoint.com but I would also recommend taking Endo up on his offer. I upgraded to a Fox air spring and holy crap its like riding on a cloud. I didnt understand how much of a handling difference there was with the fork until I made the swich but you will be amazed.