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[Closed] Grease in fork damper cartridges

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[#386804]

When assembling the damper leg in my Pace forks I didn't bother greasing it up as I thought that any grease would get washed away by the oil in a few rides. Consequently the damper shows a fair bit of stiction.

So who uses grease, and how long does it last? Or alternatively, who puts additives in the oil to avoid stiction?


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 12:25 pm
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I used to put RSP in my rockshox but I don't bother anymore since it seems to dissolve in the oil as you say.

Would grease really get rid of stiction better than suspension oil though?


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 12:32 pm
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Well yeah, it's thicker.

My Pace RC39 of the same vintage (2007) are as plush as coil forks - amazing.. but the RC41s are much stickier.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 12:40 pm
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Is RSP oil better than bog standard Shell motorbike oil?


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 12:43 pm
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Is RSP oil better than bog standard Shell motorbike oil?

Dunno, I meant RSP grease which was recommended by tftuned to me.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 1:47 pm
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Damping oil isn't great for lubricating, since it isn't designed too to this.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 1:51 pm
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Damping oil isn't great for lubricating, since it isn't designed too to this.

Well quite, but all the packaging says 'excellent lubrication properties' on it. What choice do we have?


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:25 pm
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Well quite, but all the packaging says 'excellent lubrication properties' on it. What choice do we have?

I have heard of people using motor oil mixed with suspension oil for their semi-bath forks. Wether it's actually any better I don't know...


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:42 pm
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Interesting.. as motor oil has a weight stamped on the bottle too so you'd stand a better chance of not messing up the damping speed.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:46 pm
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For the 'semi-bath' oil I use 15wt fully synthetic motor oil. It's designed for lubricating and does a good job (years of service with no new bushings or stantion wear).

There is no need to use damping oil in a semi-bath fork (apart from for the damping obviously).

However, i think the op was about lubing parts of a damping cartridge. The only real option (over just relying on the damping oil) is a thick grease, but it will probably get dissolved quite quickly.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:48 pm
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p.s. only use fully synthetic motor oil. Non-synthetic could have a negative impact on some seals.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:51 pm
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I think it's the damper that's the problem. I've got ptfe enriched mineral oil in the air side which makes it super smooth.


 
Posted : 13/03/2009 2:59 pm