Creaky Fox Float 36

[funkendrenchman]

Last year I had a Lyrik and it developed a creaking/cracking noise in the crown steerer unit (CSU). This year I've been riding a 2010 Fox Float 36 and wouldn't you know, in the past month it has developed the same noise - a creaking/ cracking noise when the fork takes certain hits or I hit the front brake hard.

Has anyone else experienced these issues? I've read a couple mentions of it on other forums. I don't weigh much and I'm definitely not riding much in the way of stunts and drops. Is this a common single crown problem? I have about 1300 miles on the Float so far and have done scheduled maintenance.

[drsmonkey]

I've had a Marz 66 that did this, but it was a manufacturing defect. Neither Lyrics or 36's are widely known to do this though. It would be very unlucky for you to get 2 different forks that do this, but possible.

Are the frame and headset the same for both forks? If so either try putting the fork on a different frame and see if the creaking persists, or change out the headset and have the head tube measured to make sure it is round.

Good luck,
DRS

[131crew]

You can pull the fork off your bike and hold it upside down with the steerer tube on the floor. Hold the lowers with your hands, and with your foot kinda press where your crown race is. Put some leverage on it, but don't go crazy. See if you can get it to creak off of your bike. If you can, it's probably where your stanchions are fused to the crown, or where the steerer is fused to the crown. Periodically putting some penetrating oil there and leaving the bike upside down for a bit can temporarily solve it usually. If you can't get the fork to creek off the bike, look at your headtube and headset. Dirt and grit in the headset or under the crown race?

[beast]

Stop casing







Just kidding. 131's suggestion should fix it up.

[loamslug]

Yep, I've had this happen with a 36. Another good way to check is to clamp the fork in a vice with a steer tube cutting guide to hold it. Hold onto the lowers; flexing it up and down (vertically with the fork horizontal) will probably make it creak if it is the stanchion/crown junction that's making the noise. If it's less than a year old I'd give Fox a call for some warranty action.

[telepop]

My 2011 Float 36 has the same problem. I will try the remedies above. Warranty seems like a tough call but could send it over the winter if it ever makes it to New Mexico.

[funkendrenchman]

Nice, others have the same problem. I'll test it out by pulling on the lowers. If it creaks, I'll throw on my roommate's Talas to see if it goes away. After that it will be sent back to Fox.

[funkendrenchman]

Yup, it's the lowers/crown. I pulled the wheel off, twisted the lowers slightly and there's the noise. Rock Shox customer service pulled through last year with a brand new fork... let's see how Fox does. I don't need a whole new fork, but I'd be bummed if I had to pay to get it repaired. Good news is that I don't really need a fork for 5 months.

[jester]

Contact fox warranty they will send you a new upper on warranty installation is easy. http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tec...er/manuals.htm
FOX RACING SHOX offers 48-hour turnaround, which may vary.
Obtain an RA (Return Authorization) number and shipping address from FOX Racing Shox at 1.800.FOX.SHOX. Outside the USA, contact the appropriate Authorized Service Center.
Mark the RA number and Return Address clearly on the outside of the package and send to FOX Racing Shox or your Authorized Service Center with shipping charges pre-paid by the sender.
Proof-of-purchase is required for warranty consideration.
Include a description of the problem, bicycle information (manufacturer, year and model), type of FOX product, spring rate and return address with daytime phone number.

[funkendrenchman]

Update - Fox replaced the CSU and got the fork back to me within 10 days.

edit- creak is completely gone, but they sent me a CSU with 2 different colored stanchions. Gonna send it back for another.