Suspension advice: How age affects suspension

Age takes its toll on the rubber seals through degradation and springs sag as the coils deform under the continued load. You can spot seal problems such as perishing or oil leaks, but to check the springs you have to take them off, measure their free length and compare this to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Use has other effects. During use the bearings and other surfaces wear, producing play. This can affect the smooth operation of the unit, in the case of the forks extreme wear will make for a sloppy feel and can affect the stability of the bike. Again the only real way to check is to strip and measure.

The oil in the suspension units suffers a similar fate to that of engine oil. It loses its viscosity and gets contaminated, leading to increased wear in the long run.

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