Magura Wotan fork servicing?

Hi
I’ve been out of biking for a few years now but have dusted off the old steed to find that the forks are in need of a service. I’ve read some poor reviews on Magura service so was wondering if there is an idiots guide to DIY servicing these forks?
Also, where can I get the oil etc needed to do the job?
And any tips on improvements? I’ve read it’s better to use different oil but not 100% on what to go for…

Thanks

I’d be interested for future reference as well. No answers for you though, didn’t realise Magura had a bad rep though.

http://www.magura.com/en/products/suspension-forks-2010/prod/thor/info/movies.html

http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/magura-durin-service-434278.html

Scroll midway down the page and access the pdf file with the service manuals included in it – you’ll need to register with mtbr

When I had wotans the service i got from Magura was excellent for what it’s worth (three years ago?).

The UK Magura Service centre were very helpful with providing info and advice on my Thors.

Lower leg service is as simple as Rockshox et al.

I upped the amount of lower led oil in mine.

IIRC my Thor forks are supposed to have 2.5ml in each leg (lower)! 😯

I went with 10ml and an report no problems to date.

Not sure this helps in anyway 😆 😡

I had my Thor’s serviced early last year by the Magura rep, did a great job plus warrantied the lowers as somehow I’d managed to crack them around the bottom caliper bolt 😯

And I’ve just sent them again.

Email him for thoughts:

mike@racemechanic.co.uk

I serviced mine the other week. Piss-easy (comparable to most Rockshox forks). I changed the oil in the damper for 10wt Motorex, rather than 5wt Magura oil. It’s made the fork feel more controlled, and vastly improved how they work in colder conditions (I had a week of them packing down to 40mm at just -2 degrees). There’s an article on Pinkbike about improvements made by playing about with different oils in Wotans. If the wiper seals need changed you can use Fox or RS ones too.

Thanks for the replies guys, I’ll get them off the bike and have a look at doing it myself 🙂

Just another quick question….will the normal Fox 36mm seals fit?

Like these…http://www.tftunedshox.com/catalogue/image.aspx?img_id=0e54ba25-5b09-49ce-bff7-9f630114715b

Thanks

somehow I’d managed to crack them around the bottom caliper bolt

Err, no. You didn’t manage to crack them. They cracked themselves.

I bought a Wotan fork back in 2006 when they were first launched.
Within months a crack had appeared in one of the brake post mounts, so the lowers were replaced under warranty.
A few months later the same thing happened again…

will the normal Fox 36mm seals fit?

Like these…http://www.tftunedshox.com/catalogue/image.aspx?img_id=0e54ba25-5b09-49ce-bff7-9f630114715b

Umm, the link has a photo of Fox 40 seals, which wouldn’t fit, but yeah, Fox 36 seals fit.

One of the things I lurve about my Wotans is the seals.

They don’t let the cack in but they do let a small amount of oil out as they cycle. Trouble is the reservoir of oil does eventually run out.

I do a basic service about every 6 months – take the lowers off – clean everything with a rag and adding about 20mm of 20wt oil to each leg. Keeps everything smooth and supple. It takes about half an hour and you only have to remove the brake caliper – keep the forks on the bike.

Got Wotans on both my bikes ‘cos they’re awesome forks.

When you take the lowers off you’ll see how well made they are.

rr, no. You didn’t manage to crack them. They cracked themselves.

Ok, obviously you’re the expert… 😯

Mike (at Magura) thought it could have been due to me using too long a bolt, which may have been true – so I always check now.