Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: jasoon on August 02, 2015, 11:47:02 PM

Title: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 02, 2015, 11:47:02 PM: 1991 cali III big valve

Replaced the fork seals but I am having trouble with the oil draining and dampening/preload adjuster.
Ive heard this particular cartridge fork has oil for lube only, 70cc's of dextron atf
First, do I need to remove the cartridge to fully drain the oil?
Second but more important, I believe I messed up the setup of the adjuster while trying to remove it from the top spring and inner assembly. I was told not to mess with the adjuster but I think I managed to do just that.

If there is a any knowledge of a step by step way to start from scratch and reassemble the fork and top adjuster properly I would be so grateful!
any advice is great.

Thanks!
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Two Checks on August 03, 2015, 05:35:52 AM: How did you disassembe the forks and NOT drain the oil?
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 03, 2015, 08:25:37 AM: I did drain what came out the bottom from the drain plug, but I feel like there is more stuck up in the cartridge
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Two Checks on August 03, 2015, 10:12:33 AM: The cartridge is a sealed unit. Whatever you drained is all there was.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: twhitaker on August 03, 2015, 11:49:29 AM: I believe the forks on my '96 Cali are the same. Cranking the adjusters on mine all the way both ways had minimal impact on the damping. Your mileage might vary.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: flangeman_70 on August 03, 2015, 02:18:54 PM: Check this thread :- http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=65449.0

I think it will answer all your questions and disprove a few misconceptions.

Adam
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 04, 2015, 02:14:00 AM: Thanks flangeman, after another day of fiddling im convinced my damper rod/shock absorber is bent or malfunctioning in some way.

This will be an expensive lesson for sure.

Anyone with a lead on a used bitubo shock absorber??
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Two Checks on August 04, 2015, 07:25:25 AM: Replace the wimpy Bitubos with FACs.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 04, 2015, 10:47:13 AM: Good to know!

Any idea where I can find some?
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: flangeman_70 on August 04, 2015, 10:52:27 AM: Where in this world are you located?
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 04, 2015, 10:55:31 AM: Colorado springs Colorado!
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 05, 2015, 02:04:45 AM: Flangeman, after another day of thought and wrenching, I think you hit the nail right on the head. it just took me a minute to realize what was really going on!
My cartridge has trouble with rebounding
Im gonna tear down the cartridge now!

So before I even get in it I just want to know, it does have oil in it? how much? weight?

is this air gap measurable?

Thank you so much!
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Tom on August 05, 2015, 04:15:29 AM: Get FAC's damper units and toss the old ones. Don't even bother with them. You can buy them from the usual dealers. Google for parts.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: flangeman_70 on August 05, 2015, 04:53:46 AM: Go to it, you've got nothing to lose :thumb:
I am trying 15 weight right now but it is too much. I am going back to 10.
How much? I can't remember :sad: I left a gap to compensate for full compression. You could also measure what comes out but if the seal has failed then it is likely the oil is an ugly emulsion.

Adam
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on August 05, 2015, 07:39:38 AM: Quote from: jasoon on August 05, 2015, 02:04:45 AM
Flangeman, after another day of thought and wrenching, I think you hit the nail right on the head. it just took me a minute to realize what was really going on!
My cartridge has trouble with rebounding
Im gonna tear down the cartridge now!

So before I even get in it I just want to know, it does have oil in it? how much? weight?

is this air gap measurable?

Thank you so much!

I used 5 wt, as mentioned in the thread that Flangeman posted. No way to measure the gap, but if you get too much in, it will lock up.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 05, 2015, 12:05:44 PM: So you know the forks take atf dextron, 70 cc's

and you say the cartridge takes 5 weight fork oil?

so different oils for the forks and cartridge??
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Two Checks on August 05, 2015, 01:39:48 PM: The oil in the fork is only for lubricating the slider/seal. The oil in the cartridge is for dampening. It's jus like the shock on the back. It is actually a cartridge with a coil spring over it.
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 06, 2015, 01:44:17 AM: cleaned up the cartridge today, works so much better now ;)
still not 100% but I think i can do a thing or two to fix that.

I used 10 weight cause that's what I had, maybe something a little heavier would be better for this application. I see why you used 5 weight now.but I worked with what I had.

Thanks to everyone who helped out I wouldn't have figured this out without you guys!! this problem is now understood clearly and easily fixable.

If I ever find a smoking deal or win the lotto ill upgrade those dampers and springs!
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: jasoon on August 06, 2015, 01:31:34 PM: What should the position of the damper rod piston be when I seal the cartridge? Submerged in the fluid or on top with the rod fully extended?

I feel like this is a basic hydraulics question.

Should I bleed the damper?
Title: Re: calli III Fork Seals and adjuster HELP!
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on August 06, 2015, 04:10:44 PM: Quote from: jasoon on August 06, 2015, 01:31:34 PM
What should the position of the damper rod piston be when I seal the cartridge? Submerged in the fluid or on top with the rod fully extended?

I feel like this is a basic hydraulics question.

Should I bleed the damper?

I did it submerged. Had a little too much fluid in it and had to open it and bleed it. I ended up with just a little play in it when it was topped out. I *don't* know if this is correct, just what I did.. :)