9 Dirt Bike Suspension Troubleshooting problems and their solution

(Last Updated On: March 17, 2023)

In this article, we’ll discuss some dirt bike suspension troubleshooting problems. Suspension is one of the most important factors in a dirt bike’s performance, yet it is often one of the most overlooked. By understanding how your suspension works and how to set it up correctly, you can make your bike handle the way you want it to and ride the way you want to ride. You must know how to replace the forks on a dirt bike.

Dirt Bike Suspension Troubleshooting problems
Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting
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Most riders never give their bike’s suspension a second thought – until they bottom out hard and crash. Others may tinker with their preload and sag settings, but never really get the full potential from their suspension. If you’re serious about riding, then you need to understand how your suspension works and how to set it up correctly for your weight, riding style, and terrain. You should know the basics of how to make a dirt bike plastic new.

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Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting problems

If you’re having trouble with your dirt bike suspension, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you figure out what’s wrong and get your bike back on the trails. You should read dirt bike suspension setup for sand.

Front fork

Front fork
Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting

Problem: Fork compression feels inconsistent

Solution: Fork compression inconsistency is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of problems. The most common cause is that your lower triple clamp bolts are too tight, or your fork clamps at the axle are out of alignment. You can fix this problem by loosening and retightening your triple clamp bolts and realigning your front axle clamps. You should visit how dirt bike engines work.

Problem: Fork is very hard

Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting

Solution: If you find that your fork is very hard, there are a few potential solutions. First, you may need to adjust the tightness of the screws that hold the fork in place. If the screws are too loose, the fork may be able to move around, which can make it difficult to use. Alternatively, the problem may be with the material of the fork itself. If the fork is made of a hard material, it may be difficult to use. In this case, you may need to replace the fork with one made of a softer material.

Problem: Headshaking on deceleration

Solution: There are a few possible explanations for headshaking on deceleration. It could be caused by low front tire pressure, cashed tire sidewalls, soft fork springs, or low fork oil levels. To troubleshoot the problem, start by checking the tire pressure and inspecting the sidewalls for any cracks. If necessary, add preload spacers or stiffer springs to the forks, or raise the fork oil level by five millimeters.

Problem: Excessive fork driving while braking

Solution: There are a few different things that can cause fork diving, but the most common culprits are low or contaminated fork oil levels and soft springs. If your fork oil levels are low, it can cause the internals of the fork to heat up and expand, which will cause the fork to dive. Contaminated fork oil can also cause problems, as it can cause the fork to stick or bind, which can also lead to a dive. Soft springs are another common cause, as they can cause the fork to compress too much when braking, leading to a dive.

Problem: Front-end oversteering

Solution: Your front end is oversteering and washing out in turns. This is most likely due to your fork springs or LSC settings being too stiff. Try softening them up and see if that solves the problem.

Problem: Front end bottom out after the jump

Solution: If your front end feels like it’s bottoming out after jumps, there are a couple of possible solutions. First, check your fork oil level. If it’s low, topping it off may solve the problem. Alternatively, your fork springs may be too soft. In this case, you’ll need to replace them with stiffer springs. You should also visit my article on dirt track suspension setup.

Rear shocks

Rear shocks
Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting

Problem: Rear shock leaking oil

Solution: If your rear shock is leaking oil, there are a few things that could be causing the problem. Worn seal packs, shaft wear, and scratches can all cause oil to leak from the shock.

If you have seal packs that are worn, you will need to replace them. You can do this yourself or take the shock to a bike shop and have them do it for you. Shaft wear can also cause oil to leak, and this problem can usually be fixed by having the shock serviced. Scratches in the shock body can also cause oil to leak, and these need to be repaired before the shock can be used again.

Problem: Too little or too much sag

Dirt bike suspension troubleshooting

Solution: To determine if your trampoline has too much or too little sag, you’ll need to measure the amount of sag using a ruler or a tape measure. If your trampoline has too much sag, it means that the springs are too loose and need to be tightened. To do this, you’ll need to adjust the tension on the springs. If your trampoline has too little sag, it means that the springs are too tight and need to be loosened. To do this, you’ll need to adjust the tension on the springs.

Problem: Rear end chatters when accelerating out of turn

Solution: If you find that your car is chattering when you accelerate out of turn, it is likely due to an issue with your LSC (left suspension compliance) or LSR (left suspension stiffness). These are both suspension settings that can be adjusted to solve the problem.

Final thoughts on dirt bike suspension troubleshooting

In conclusion, dirt bike suspension troubleshooting can be a difficult and time-consuming process. However, it is important to remember that there are a few key things that can be checked to help narrow down the problem. First, check the air pressure in the forks and shock. Next, check the spring preload and adjust if necessary. Finally, check the damping and make sure it is set correctly.

I hope you enjoyed this article. This article has taken a look at dirt bike suspension troubleshooting. If you have any questions about dirt bike suspension troubleshooting, please leave a comment below.

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