Mountain Bike Front Suspension judder/Click/Movement?

Question

My bike and my mates bike on the Front Suspension both have a Click/movement like the head steams loose but its not the headsteam because iv checked.

I Think its the forks bending backwards a bit at bottom then quickly moving forward a bit.

Anyone else find this then i know what it is?

Thanks Marc

Answer 1

It's hard to say without seeing or hearing it in person, and without knowing what fork you're talking about.  Most forks will flex a bit with hard braking or impacts, so it could just be that you're hearing loosely made or worn bushings in the fork legs....or coilsprings that aren't under much tension....or the legs/steerer tube flexing in the crown.  

It could also be loose spokes, a damaged rim joint, disc brake pads shifting in the caliper (or loose rotor bolts), or loose v-brake mounting screws/posts.  There's an off chance you could have something going on with the headset parts themselves, too, even if the preload is adjusted correctly as you said.  

It's probably nothing to worry about, but it's wise to check everything out just to be sure.  You definitely don't want anything on your front end to fail on you while you're rolling!  Look at all of those things and see if you can find the source of the clicking.  Sometimes checking out those parts while disassembled from the bike helps (removing the wheel, taking the fork off, etc).   good luck, and if you need more help or can isolate the problem post back again!   :o)

Answer 2

Check your brakes, for some reason this is happening and you have ruled out headset looseness.  Then check the fork's movement as a possible cause.  If all else you try to find the culprit get yourself a pair of earmuffs.