Evening,
I've looked all over the Internet and can't find anywhere any information on servicing the CR cartridge/dynamic bleed cartridge (different places call it different names) in a 350cr fork. I've tried using an LR cartridge service guide but unless I'm doing something wrong it's not working. I've emailed windwave who told me I must be leaving air in the cartridge, but two of us have had four goes and I'm pretty sure all the air is out. I've tried every combination of fluid levels and locations I can see working and still nothing.
Is anybody able to help or point me in the right direction?
Thanks...Jamie
Have you seen this video before? I followed this to service my 55cr forks. As far as I understand the 350 is the 27.5 version of the 55 (dynamic bleed cartridge).
What's actually wrong with your fork after you have serviced it? I stuffed mine up the first time and had no rebound but that was because I didn't engage the rebound unit properly in the bottom of the cartridge.
I've followed that video and done the procedure five times now, doing it exactly as he does and I'm still not getting results.
The problem is the rebound adjuster doesn't change the rebound. It's still turning, and still opening and closing the valve, but it's not changing the rebound damping. Everything else is fine, but the rebound is super fast and topping out really badly and I can't change it.
Have also had a good look around that website and followed all the relevant guides/videos. I'm obviously doing something wrong somewhere but am following the procedures exactly as they are done and can't see where I'm going wrong.
Compression valving might be blown? I'm guessing that your forks adjusters aren't entirely independent.
Did you know that oil weights vary between manufacturers quite considerably even if both say for example 5wt? Maybe you've unknowingly used the wrong weight oil.
Send it to loco/tf tuned.
I had really fast rebound with no adjustment the first time I did mine.
When you rebuild the cartridge, does the rebound unit click into place firmly or is it loose?
The compression and rebound are built into the same cartridge. The compression is fine so I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Good point about the oil, marzocchi say to use 7.5 or 5 if you've no 7.5, I've been using tftuned 7.5. But it doesn't sound like it's too picky about the oil.
It doesn't click in, it just pushes into the tube and the seal holds it firmly in place. Sounds like we may have had the same thing tomfun, I'm about to put it back together for the 6th time. I've left it sitting all morning so the air can rise to the top before I rebuild it. Windwave are saying it sounds like it's failed, but it was working fine before I stripped it.
Right, it might not be the same issue as I had as my rebound unit was very loose and there was no positive 'click' when I pushed it back into the bottom of the cartridge. Basically, there is a little black split washer that had fallen down from the top of the rebound unit (that sits an inch or so into the cartridge) and that was preventing my rebound unit from sitting where it should. Once I'd worked that out and fitted it properly normality was restored to the universe. Post a pic of the rebound unit or email me one (should be in my profile) if you want me to see if it looks like mine did.
Hope you get it fixed.
It's strange that you just posted this thread, as I have literally (1 hour ago) finished servicing my 350 CR (for the third time!)
I had the exact same problem as you
1) 1st rebuild; no rebound damping
2) 2nd rebuild; rebound damping until about 1 hour into first ride, then it stopped
3) 3rd rebuild; all seems hunky dory with very nice feeling rebound (adjuster has a bit effect click to click, so fingers crossed.
I used the LR cartridge video and the exploded 350 CR diagram from the marzhocci workshop site (linked on their travel adjust page).
The error I had was that I was securing the silver cone shaped spacer thing (that goes in the compression/rebound leg) in with the circlip AFTER I'd threaded back in the compression/rebound cartridge, I always ended up knocking the rebound rod or probably pulling on it a bit which let some air in, I also wasn't securing the circlip properly as it was in the bottom of the stanchion this time 😯
Does the compression assembly push out when you've fully bled the rebound & compression units as he mentions in the video? Mine never did this the 1st and 2nd time, but this 3rd time I spent ages getting all of the air out and it's pushing out so must be completely filled.
Tomfun - There aren't any loose parts or anything that can move on the cartridge assembly. I'll post a picture next time I strip it down.
Stevelol - I haven't been taking the silver cone shaped spacer thing out as I saw no need, and I'm not knocking the cartridge as I install it. Yes, the compression assembly pushes out but still no damping.
Thanks for everybodys help, it's much appreciated. My replies are only getting shorter as I'm starting to get fed up with the fork now.
Good news and bad news...the good news is I've fixed it, the bad news is I've no excuse for my complete stupidity.
The first time I stripped it, a fortnight ago (not ridden since), whilst removing the air tube I noticed a washer on the floor. Thinking it'd dropped off the air tube side somewhere I found a place where it was a perfect fit and left it there. Turns out (doh!) it had fallen off the lower third of the cartridge, the rebound assembly. No surprise as it's a really bad fit.
Oh well, all's well that ends well. Thank you everybody for your help, apologies for wasting all your time. If you ever see a (devilishly handsome) lad in horrendously bright kit riding a Saracen Ariel with some 350CRs covered in oil, come and remind me I owe you a pint.
Happy days!
Can you identify the washer in this pic?
Number 68, at the very top of that is the round bit with four 'prongs' coming off it. That round bit is a few mil deep and has flanges at the top and bottom of it, the washer sits very loosely between those two flanges. In that picture, it's the plain white bit between two darker areas. The washer isn't actually shown in that diagram, hence why it took me so long to work it out. Hopefully you know what I mean.
Of the four pictures on that, the top left one, zoom in on it. To the left of the four prongs, between the two flanges, you can just make out the splits of the washer.
Except on mine, it doesn't sit anywhere near as snug as that, I'm able to slide it on and of without having to expand it.
It may not be called a washer, but I'm afraid I don't know its name.
Cheers 🙂 yeah I know the bit you mean, mine can easily slip out of place too.
Lesson learnt
Same bit that was the root cause of my problems! Is a little bugger isn't it!
Ahh, I see what you mean now. Yes it's a pain in the ass, could do with being on the exploded diagrams