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New Zeb - oil leak ...
 

New Zeb - oil leak in transit

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[#12678781]

As title, I've just taken delivery of a 2023 Zeb from a German retailer and oil seems to have leaked from the seal at the top of the air side leg (where stanchion goes into lower).

There's oil at that spot on the cardboard tray and a thin coat on the fork itself.

I didn't notice it on first opening, but gave it a bit of a squish on the floor and put it back in the box, then noticed the oil when I got it out again the next day.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

Any experience of resolving warranty issues on RS products from Germany?

Cheers team 👍


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 3:55 pm
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Had similar with pikes from Germany. I just wiped it down and figured I'd raise the issue if it leaked on the first couple of rides. There was sign of any more oil, and the forks have been fine in use.


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 4:09 pm
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If its been in storage for a while seals/ foam rings could be dry, might mean it leaks


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 4:10 pm
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Possibly from the air bleeders, had that with an MRP ribbon a while ago


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 4:13 pm
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Had a US supplied Rockshox fork warranted by UK distributer, just needed to be sent to them by one of their dealers


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 5:20 pm
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Hmmm, some interesting thoughts there ta.

I've dropped the retailer a line but I'm leaning toward dropping the lowers and looking at the seals and wipers, replacing the oil and riding it.

Price was too good to just send back for refund as they don't have more stock.


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 5:51 pm
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Always worth dropping lowers and checking oil on a new fork, leaking or not. I'd wager it's just a storage/transport issue.


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 8:51 pm
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You’re doing well having oil in them at all. I’ve just dropped the lowers on some new SID’s and they were bone dry, same with the foam rings.


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 9:18 pm
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Well they weren't bone dry inside, but I don't think there was anything like the specified 20ml each side in the lowers.

I've put that in now, and I bloody well hope it stays there.

No obvious issues I could see.


 
Posted : 08/01/2023 9:42 pm
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Well they weren’t bone dry inside, but I don’t think there was anything like the specified 20ml each side in the lowers.

I've heard that a lot, in different quarters and wondered how they could end up in such a situation.

We arent talking super cheapo zoom forks, but high end, probably the highest.

So how can a manufacturer who charges such a large amount, have such a lax system of assembly as to miss out such an important step as to getting the correct amount of oil into their product.


 
Posted : 09/01/2023 1:51 am
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To be fair, there was a consistent trickle out of one leg after I'd popped the lowers off, and I'd struggle to judge the volume of oil involved. But there wasn't the usual bit of oil come out when I broke the seal on the bottom of the legs.

The oil from the spring side had somehow got out of the fork before I dropped the lowers anyway.

It's quite satisfying squirting the 20ml in, rather than the measly 10ml they spec for the Pike and Lyrik.


 
Posted : 09/01/2023 10:20 am
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If its a 2023 Zeb Charger3 the oil volumes are different to the 2022 ones. Its 30ml damper side and 15ml air side IIRC.


 
Posted : 09/01/2023 10:24 am
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I’ve heard that a lot, in different quarters and wondered how they could end up in such a situation.

We arent talking super cheapo zoom forks, but high end, probably the highest.

So how can a manufacturer who charges such a large amount, have such a lax system of assembly as to miss out such an important step as to getting the correct amount of oil into their product.

I honestly can’t understand how it’s still a thing. People have been complaining about it for years and it’s still happening.
This weekend I did my SID SL’s that I mentioned above and they were dry. I then did a set of SID Ultimates on another bike which I’ve had since December and they were ok.
It’s pretty basic stuff which you’d expect them to get right.


 
Posted : 09/01/2023 10:32 am
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If its a 2023 Zeb Charger3 the oil volumes are different to the 2022 ones. Its 30ml damper side and 15ml air side IIRC.

Haha, now you tell me. Serves me right for not checking.

Do you ever get them turn up with oil leaked?


 
Posted : 09/01/2023 10:36 am