Suspension judder and creaking

[kipperfish]

When turning tightly into my garage I heard a strange creaking noise from the front end on my '16 RR (with DDC).
Since then I noticed a couple of times, usually at slow speed when turning sharply (it sometimes sounds like a spring).
Bank holiday Monday I was out with the Mrs and I'm sure I could feel a slight and intermittent juddering from the front end.
Today I pulled in the clutch on a relatively smooth road and let it roll (no brakes) and I could feel juddering from the front, almost as though the forks were sticking.
Now, I recall the feeling when first riding on the DDC suspension that you could feel some juddering under heavy braking, but this feels more severe, and without an obvious user input cause.

I'm pretty sure that it's not my head, but I took my street triple back to the dealer after a long weekend on a demo s1000rr as it felt like the brakes were shot... they weren't, it was just that the ones on the RR were SO good!
I've been riding my KTM a lot through the crap weather, so I may indeed be me noticing something that's been there all along, but it's got me doubting the front end....

Any ideas?

 

[P0u1]

Sounds like the head stock bearing to me.

 

[kipperfish]

Thanks POu1... is it normal that the head stock bearing would need replacing after only 12k miles? Also, I can't get a slot at the dealer until a week on Friday, do I need to stay off it where possible (it's my normal commute)?

 

[P0u1]

I wouldn't recommend riding it with something wrong with the stearing or suspension.

Depending on a lot of different things I wouldn't say 12k for a head stock bearing is unreasonable, you can check it your self if you can get the front wheel off the floor.

Or possible when the bikes on the floor if its really bad.

just turn the bars left to right and see if you can feel any notches.

 

[kipperfish]

Thanks for the advise P0u1....

I put it up in the air and checked turned the bars from side to side. Other than a squeak from the steering damper one way it glided from side to side nicely. While it was up I thought I'd check that the disks were still straight and the front wheel was difficult to turn. So I gave the front brake level a few squeezes and the bloody calipers aren't retracting!
Not sure if this was the issue all along, but it is definitely AN issue now! I'm going to try and take the calipers off, pads out, and give it a damn good clean.
Really annoyed as it was serviced just before Christmas where they replaced the front pads and with the weather it's hardly done 100 miles since :mad-new:

If I can get the pistons moving freely I'll give it a test ride and update the thread with my findings

 

[stuartb]

Maybe lack of use is the problem there... remember the pistons move a mil or so when the brake lever is depressed, a lay up over the winter will exacerbate any problems.

A thorough clean all round and an inspection of the pots and seals..new pads..replenish fluid will likely sort it all out. Unless it was a major service the calipers/pads will likely just of had a quick visual inspection for wear and possibly a basic functionality test..IE wheel off deck, spin and apply brakes.

S

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[stuartb]

NB:

Someone on here will have purchased a service kit for calipers, wouldn't think it would be cheap but not fortunes either...maybe worth an overhaul, piss easy job if your removing them from the bike and cleaning them up..

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[kipperfish]

I didn't get time to take the calipers off last night. But sprayed copious amounts of brake cleaner on them and left them overnight.
They had freed up this morning when I took a look. Going to check them again after work and hopefully get time to get them off and give them good clean at the weekend.

 

[stuartb]

Front brakes I would take no shortcuts with... a strip down and inspection is paramount.

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[kipperfish]

Front brakes I would take no shortcuts with... a strip down and inspection is paramount.

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That was my guess too, thanks for the advise... I'll have to watch BvG and JoJo's vid of them doing his HP sauce before I give it a go

 

[alex]

Side note, i got this 5mm thick piece of nylon plate from eBay.

I intend to chop it in 2 and use it as a sudo disc for brake cleaning. I'll try to shape it to still give good access for brushes.

With it replacing the disc the pistons can reach and clamp it without popping out.

- Alex

 

[kipperfish]

Side note, i got this 5mm thick piece of nylon plate from eBay.

I intend to chop it in 2 and use it as a sudo disc for brake cleaning. I'll try to shape it to still give good access for brushes.

With it replacing the disc the pistons can reach and clamp it without popping out.

- Alex

Great idea!

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[stuartb]

That was my guess too, thanks for the advise... I'll have to watch BvG and JoJo's vid of them doing his HP sauce before I give it a go

Yea, won't do any harm to watch a few vids, but it's a really straightforward job..

Take the calipers completely off and work on them on a bench, that way you can have a proper inspection of the pots and pistons/seals, it's how I have done it in the past, you'll get a far better job as you won't be bent over down at wheel level second guessing.

Post up some pics..mind the torque values for everything are D/L able from here

Good Luck

 

[stuartb]

Just saw your post re the plastic spacer.. Calipers don't look minging certainly from the outside.. good clean on the internals, fresh fluid/pads will do the trick I guess.

S

 

[Stephen]

Yea, won't do any harm to watch a few vids, but it's a really straightforward job..

Take the calipers completely off and work on them on a bench, that way you can have a proper inspection of the pots and pistons/seals, it's how I have done it in the past, you'll get a far better job as you won't be bent over down at wheel level second guessing.

Post up some pics..mind the torque values for everything are D/L able from here

Good Luck

I?d recommend taping the brake lever down to the bar if you do decide to remove the calipers. This will prevent the system from draining dry and makes bleeding it up a much faster job.

 

[stuartb]

I’d recommend taping the brake lever down to the bar if you do decide to remove the calipers. This will prevent the system from draining dry and makes bleeding it up a much faster job.

+ 1

 

[alex]

Just saw your post re the plastic spacer.. Calipers don't look minging certainly from the outside.. good clean on the internals, fresh fluid/pads will do the trick I guess.

S

That's my caliper Stu! . But thanks.

 

[stuartb]

Ahhh never saw 1st post.. aw well pretty calipers you have there lol

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[Kennybush]

I’d recommend taping the brake lever down to the bar if you do decide to remove the calipers. This will prevent the system from draining dry and makes bleeding it up a much faster job.

That sounds like a top tip Stephen. Need to remember that one.

 

[kipperfish]

Took each caliper off, pads out, and cleaned them up as best I could. Unfortunately the right hand side is still sticking (the pistons were an absolute bitch to push back in), so am going to try and get it down to a local garage tomorrow to see if they can take a look.
Thanks to everyone for their insight and advice

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