Showa compression adjuster - Ducati.ms

Corse1 · Nov 6th, 2011, 2:42 pm

One of my compression adjusters on my Showa forks just keeps turning with no stop at either end of the scale. It clicks like normal but just keeps on going in any direction. I have no idea where it is set.

Anybody know what the problem could be and how to fix it?

Cheers.

SS904 · Nov 7th, 2011, 5:27 am

That's odd. When I had my forks apart this year for Gold Valves, I had a good look at all that stuff. The compression adjuster is a threaded screw that has a needle on the end which seats into a small hole in the valve body / shim stack at the bottom of the dampening cartridge. I can't see how that screw would spin continuously in either direction unless it is snapped in half at a point between the threaded part and the ball-and-spring part that makes the "click". I think your only option here is going to be to pull that fork leg apart. You "may" get away with pulling just the plug (with adjuster screw) from the bottom of the leg with out removing everything else, but when you do, all the oil will dump out. If I had to guess, I'd say your looking at replacing the plug at the bottom that houses the compression adjuster (and also holds the dampener in place) at a minimum. Really better to use this as a reason for a full fork service. How many miles on the bike?

Look at this link S4 Showa Fork Rebuild w/Race Tech Gold Valves It shows the compression adjuster out of the fork. Also is a great pictorial of how to service the forks, even if you don’t do the Gold Valve mod.

Corse1 · Nov 7th, 2011, 12:16 pm

Thanks Dan,
It can't be snapped where you say as the adjuster still clicks like normal, it just doesn't stop in either direction?? I went 42 clicks one way before I read the manual. I didn't force anything when turning.
Bike only has 20000km's on the clock and it has just had a fork service earlier this year from local suspension guy. Its only had 400km ridden since service. Oil and seals. I pulled the forks to take in. He tells me he didn't touch the compression adjuster and I see no reason why he would.

I will check the link :-)

SS904 · Nov 7th, 2011, 12:35 pm

I don't know then... It has to stop (or fall out?) at some point! I've had that thing in my hand. It can be best described as a bolt with a screw threaded into it. One click is about 1/4 turn. Not sure how many turns there are from full out to full in (not including the 15 or so clicks of "normal" travel) if the mechanical stops somehow failed. An odd one to me having been in there myself. There's just not much to it.

Corse1 · Nov 7th, 2011, 2:35 pm

Yeah seems strange to me. I might put it in the too hard basket for the moment. Still handles ok. It would be easy if I could pull the fork, turn upside down and remove for inspection without dumping oil etc but I don't think its that easy....or is it?

erikrichard · Nov 7th, 2011, 5:49 pm

No, you'll have to disassemble the fork. Another reason I don't pay shops to do jobs like this, if I wanted it done wrong or stuff busted, I could do that for free. (I'm assuming the adjuster worked before you brought it to the mechanic here).

Corse1 · Nov 7th, 2011, 6:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikrichard

No, you'll have to disassemble the fork. Another reason I don't pay shops to do jobs like this, if I wanted it done wrong or stuff busted, I could do that for free. (I'm assuming the adjuster worked before you brought it to the mechanic here).

Well yes it worked the last time I adjusted it but this guy assures me he didn't need to touch the adjuster to change fork seals and oil. I believe him as he is a well known suspension guru and also Ohlins certifed technician.

va duc · Nov 7th, 2011, 6:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corse1

Well yes it worked the last time I adjusted it but this guy assures me he didn't need to touch the adjuster to change fork seals and oil. I believe him as he is a well known suspension guru and also Ohlins certifed technician.

Your mechanic is correct, you dont have to touch the compression adjuster to change the oil and replace the bushings and seals.

erikrichard · Nov 7th, 2011, 9:44 pm

Actually, I think the compression adjuster does just pop out the bottom of the fork without dissasembly (sorry, bad memory). Removing it is part of the process of separating the fork halves though, so I'm not sure I agree the mechanic had no reason to touch it. It all comes down to if you are sure it worked properly before you turned the bike over to him, coincidences like that don't happen.

Corse1 · Nov 8th, 2011, 12:33 am

If only it was as easy as remove fork...tip upside down...remove adjuster...check and fix...screw back and jobs done. No need to even remove oil.

Wishfull thinking eh?

It did work properly the last time I adjusted it but that was ages ago,.