Reba service - replacement seals

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Reba service - replacement seals

8 posts & 6 voices | Started 3 months ago by nbt | Latest reply from LoCo

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nbt - Member

Am in the midst of servicing a pair of Reba Teams for Mrs NBT. As far as I can tell, they're about a 2007 model year

They've not been serviced in a while (erm - ever) so the foam rings on the seals are dry as a bone and have stuck to the rubber of the seal in places. The seals seem to be ok if somewhat dirty. The rest of the fork, barring the thickening oil, seems ok.

So, I need to replace the foam rings - there are two kits on CRC and they don't seem to match up.

This kit is the one I *should* be using

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11956

But there's no black things in the bits that I've taken out. If anything, this one looks more like what's come out

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2995

Any mechanically minded people care to comment on the difference? Should I get the "right" kit, or the one that looks right? Or can I just get new foam rings? I understand Mr Poddy is the forum's acknowledged expert on the servicing of rockshox offerings, if anyone can give him a nudge that'd be appreciated ta, as indeed would advice from anyone else

Thanks

Posted 3 months ago #
julianwilson - Member

Fear not, the one with the black oil seals can be considered an 'upgrade' on what you are removing. Black seals in first, then foam rings, then big grey ones on the top. (if you are leaving the big grey seals in you may have a bit of a struggle getting the black ones in though, also not sure that you can buy them without new grey dust seals anyway). Make sure the foam rings are soaked in oil before you put the fork back together. (I use a syringe and a little length of tubing for this to dribble oil in gradually as I rotate the lowers round and round.)

Have fun!

Posted 3 months ago #
nbt - Member

Grey seals already removed so the black ones will go in fine. Will check if my LBS has any in stock tomorrow, cheers

Posted 3 months ago #
bigjim - Member

I would argue put back what came out, so go with the ones without the oil seals. A mechanic told me that and it makes sense to me, if the fork isn't designed to have the extra seals, makes sense to me not to fit them, less stiction seems a good idea too.

Posted 3 months ago #
bikewhisperer - Member

Either works. I spoke to Fishers about this when doing mine. The double seal kit is a more recent thing than your forks, but will fit. They only tend to fit the dust seal and big foam ring from factory.
With the black oil seals gives a little more stiction, but lower contamination if you're riding harder hitting stuff or in shitty weather.
With the dust seal and big foam ring you'll get better action, but probably barely noticable difference, but have to keep a better eye on cleaning the lowers more regularly.

Posted 3 months ago #
nbt - Member

In the end I called my friendly local bike shop and they one they had in stock was the one with just grey seals and foam rings, and was clearly labelled as a pike / reba / rev kit. Fitted last night, no bother.

Posted 3 months ago #
nealy - Member

I'm slightly late to the party but I'd recommend Enduro Seals for £22 (http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id48.html) and a new set of O-rings for £8.75 from evilhomersimpson on ebay.

Here's a thread discussing Enduro Seals for some "light" reading (http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/enduro-fork-seals-582186.html)

Also what suspension fluid are you using? I've just done my Reba's and used Red Line LightWeight Suspension Fluid (http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60183-red-line-lightweight-suspension-fluid.aspx) in the damper and fully synthetic 10W40 engine oil in the lowers which has made a massive improvement to how smooth they are. Some threads discussing different oils if you think about trying it (http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/mobil-1-5w-30-correct-715257.html & http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/better-clinging-oil-than-foxs-red-green-oil-701950.html & http://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/fox-green-10wt-looking-substitute-675922.html)

Posted 3 months ago #
LoCo - Member

You can use either kit £11.99 or £20.99 depending on which kit you want.

Oil, any major manufacturer will do, fully synthetic for damper and air system.

Motul Factoryline is what I use.

Posted 3 months ago #