Stem stopper in fork?? update!

[tulsacruiser]

Do some forks have like a stem stopper inside it? No matter what stem I try it stops higher then I want. I want to lower it. Any clue?

 

[mitchelangelo]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

There shouldn't be a stem stopper in the fork. Maybe there is a wedge nut from another stem stuck inside the fork? If so there is usually a hole in the bottom of the fork that you can knock an old screwdriver in from the bottom and dis-lodge it.

 

[Wildcat]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

Look in there with a flashlight.

 

[tulsacruiser]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

Yea I did look in it but didnt see anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Bigcam59]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

you might have to take the fork off and inspect it from the outside. If the steer tube is bent it might not be visible from the inside, but would still keep the stem from dropping all the way. Does the fork spin freely without binding anywhere?

 

[schwinnless]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

Had same thing with my fork. Took it out and its bulged from wedge being to tight once or 20 times. Tubes straight tho.

 

[tulsacruiser]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

Had same thing with my fork. Took it out and its bulged from wedge being to tight once or 20 times. Tubes straight tho.

What did you do about it?

I dont want to change forks.

 

[dragnusa]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

do you use any spray lube I had one that did that and i sprayed both parts down with pb blaster and then tapped it down with a rubber mallet it ended up being some heavy flaky rust in the fork tube

 

[tulsacruiser]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

do you use any spray lube I had one that did that and i sprayed both parts down with pb blaster and then tapped it down with a rubber mallet it ended up being some heavy flaky rust in the fork tube

I will try that first.

 

[tulsacruiser]

Re: Stem stopper in fork??

Update! Ok I pulled the fork off and shined a light in it. There is like a second wall inside the fork. From the top of the tupe down its about 2 1/2 inches till the stem stops. Thats where that ring in the pic starts. I tried filing it down some but it goes to the bottom.

 

[deven_science]

Maybe the tube was lengthened/shortened/repaired at some point? That's when you insert a smaller tube inside to line it up for re-welding.

 

[tulsacruiser]

Maybe the tube was lengthened/shortened/repaired at some point? That's when you insert a smaller tube inside to line it up for re-welding.

Well thats what I thought too. But here is a pic of the tube and it looks fine...

 

[driver bob]

Cut the stem down to fit ??

 

[tulsacruiser]

Cut the stem down to fit ??

No if I cut any then it wont fit.

 

[iven]

Maybe the tube was lengthened/shortened/repaired at some point? That's when you insert a smaller tube inside to line it up for re-welding.

thats what it looks like to me too.. :|

 

[scrumblero]

might have just been a butted tube?

 

[Wildcat]

I have a set of Murray forks the same way, there's a lip about 3 inches down. I can get by at that height, but one solution might be to use a smaller diameter wedge or file down the wedge you have. That might give enough to work.

 

[jackdaw]

I cut a stem down by about three inches. I just cut it at the angle that the wedge sits on and then filed it smooth. The stem goes all the way in now, down to the clamp. I can't remember why I had to cut it down but it worked fine.