fork click on rebound

[chickenStripCharlie]

Does anyone know what causes this noise?
Something inside the forks causes this, but only on rebound.
I tried to google it but only came up with this thread which never had a real answer for it:
https://www.gixxer.com/threads/my-forks-make-clicking-noises-on-rebound-valves.131881/

I thought it was my head bearings, but i removed the fork tubes and it is definitely them. The funny thing is, they did NOT do this before i installed them on the bike. Compressing by leaning on them did not produce this sound. Having been installed i now can replicate with just my hand. See video.

- I don't know the miles on the forks
- I have not done any disassembly yet
- I don't know the oil level yet
- It is happening on both my GSXR fork tubes (99 & '01 forks)
- They "look" straight. But i suppose i wont know that until i disassemble.

Anyone more familiar with fork internals know what it might be?
( I'm hoping to acquire any necessary parts i might need for this and do it when i tackle the seals so that's why i'm asking )

 

[teazer]

interesting that so many riders in that other thread have similar noises and not one fixed it or even identified the problem or if it is a problem. Most fork clicking is something loose like the bottom bolt or a bush or broken bush circlip.

It's hard to tell from that video but it sounds like a spring compressing and then clicking into place. almost like a valve shim clicking over center, which would be odd unless one of the shims cracked. If you compress the fork, does it click going down or as it comes back?

Either way, if it were mine, I would strip the forks and see what's going on. It would be sub optimal if the forks fell off when you are doing a wheelie.

As long as the forks are off the bike or at least no load on them, undo the top nuts and you may get a better look at where the noise is coming from.

 

[chickenStripCharlie]

interesting that so many riders in that other thread have similar noises and not one fixed it or even identified the problem or if it is a problem. Most fork clicking is something loose like the bottom bolt or a bush or broken bush circlip.

It's hard to tell from that video but it sounds like a spring compressing and then clicking into place. almost like a valve shim clicking over center, which would be odd unless one of the shims cracked. If you compress the fork, does it click going down or as it comes back?

Either way, if it were mine, I would strip the forks and see what's going on. It would be sub optimal if the forks fell off when you are doing a wheelie.

As long as the forks are off the bike or at least no load on them, undo the top nuts and you may get a better look at where the noise is coming from.

Same as in that forum post ... only on rebound. I had the forks off and with me leaning on them, i can tell it doesn't happen when i compress the fork, only when i release.
The strangest thing is that it didn't do this before I had them on the bike! (not riding, just rolling around the garage)

im not prepared to take them apart, as i'm pretty sure i need to rig up something to hold the tube first when i go to remove the spring. That's why i wanted to see if anyone on here might know what causes it and what parts i should have on hand

 

[teazer]

Curiouser and curioser said Alice to the cat.

I needed a break from this damn computer so I walked out to the shop and grabbed a pair of early GSXR forks and they also click. One side more that the other. So I grabbed the fork tools and removed the top assembly and spring and checked the damper rod and there's slight click as it changes from compression to extension. I didn't want to strip them completely so I tipped in some oil to replace what I spilled on the floor and reassembled it and put the triples back on and by magic the clicking has gone.....

I don't have time to fully strip them. That can wait until I order new oil and dust seals. By any chance are the top damping adjusting screws all the way OUT? Try turning the top slot in a turn and see if that takes up the small amount of slack

 

[teazer]

Order a fork spring compression tool. It's large ring and two longish rod. Undo the large top nut and the slider will slide down. Next slide the ring over the top and screw in the two threaded rods so that the tapers fit inside matching holes in the spring spacer. The kit comes with an odd flat metal thing that looks like a wrench but it's not.

Push down on the two threaded rod until you can insert that flat metal thing under the lock nut. USe one 17mm wrech on the top assembly and the other on the lock nut and loosen.

The spring and top nut come off and you can cycle the damper rod up and down.

 

[chickenStripCharlie]

Curiouser and curioser said Alice to the cat.

I needed a break from this damn computer so I walked out to the shop and grabbed a pair of early GSXR forks and they also click. One side more that the other. So I grabbed the fork tools and removed the top assembly and spring and checked the damper rod and there's slight click as it changes from compression to extension. I didn't want to strip them completely so I tipped in some oil to replace what I spilled on the floor and reassembled it and put the triples back on and by magic the clicking has gone.....

I don't have time to fully strip them. That can wait until I order new oil and dust seals. By any chance are the top damping adjusting screws all the way OUT? Try turning the top slot in a turn and see if that takes up the small amount of slack

oh man, how do i ever thank you for that?!?!?!?
As i wanted to have all parts on hand before i start disassembly, i didn't even check the oil level.

it is totally possible that the forks are low enough on oil that this is what causes the clicking in mine as well!

Thank you SO much for taking the time to check your own for comparison sake!!!!!!