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So, after a great ride last night I noticed the dust seal on the LHS stanchion of my Pike Dual Position had popped out. Not sure exactly when on the ride it happened or why - you can see the little rubber band on RHS still has ~10mm left.
Question is, what to do now? force the dust seal back into place? lowers service? warranty job? (for is less than a year old) What do you think? *awaits foretelling of imminent death*
[img] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/content_link/1xcHvi4xd0dEcQiF2BPg2Q4JzpbcNuIjn9qQLsgd6YjId1rjEieeHagnemkLai6K/file [/img]
Air escaped into negative chamber , so when the build up gets sufficient going through the travel will hit the negative air pressure forcing the dust seal off. Warranty is the route I would go down Sram are more than aware of this problem.
I'm afraid it is a reasonably commonly reported feature on Rockshox solo air forks. Send them back. But be advised that SRAM Tech say their forks do not have the problem that quite a number of us owners know that they do have. Bollocks forks basically!
Air escaped into negative chamber , so when the build up gets sufficient going through the travel will hit the negative air pressure forcing the dust seal off.
If anything air would have escaped from the negative and into the lowers, its pressure in the lowers that blow the seals off.
Or, on a lighter note, it could just have become dislodged and just need pushing back down.
Doesn't automatically mean you have an air leak.
Lowers need removing and seal refitting (pushing back down), if its beyond you just send them back.
This happens on my rebas from air escaping from negative chamber into the lowers, the pressure pops the dust wiper off.
Happens to my Revs also, air escaped into the lowers, popped seal off.
I just fully serviced the air side of the fork (replaced all o-rings) and it's been fine since.
This happens on my rebas from air escaping from negative chamber into the lowers, the pressure pops the dust wiper off.
Is that because the valve at the bottom of the air assembly is knackered, or is there another way it can get out?
Common problem, on mine I found it affecting the whole fork:
Step 1. Air leaks out of negative and into lowers so as you compress the fork, the pressure in the lowers increases, which pops the seal out.
Step 2. Positive and negative chambers equalize pressure- you've basically lost a load of air at this point, so your fork will feel softer.
Step 3. repeat of 1 & 2 until you pump it back up, then repeat.
On mine, the valve between the positive and negative chamber was also blocked (another common problem), so as the fork kept losing negative air into the lowers, I had almost no small bump sensitivity and the fork felt horrible. Then, all in one go, the positive and negative chambers equalized as the port cleared, and I was left with a fork running about 3/4 sag as the positive air had migrated.
So, basically, a leaky negative seal. If it's in warranty just send it back. Also, you might have got some dirt in there, so it definitely needs a lowers service at the minimum, and with warranty they'll replace if there is any damage (if you've carried on riding them?)
Is that because the valve at the bottom of the air assembly is knackered, or is there another way it can get out?
All that's holding the air in is a few rubber o-rings, so wear or manufacturing defects lets it out into the lowers.
hmmmm... Whilst I *could* pop the lowers off and push it all back together, I have another bike so can afford to have one up on bricks for a bit and would rather not be continually fettling around a known issue. Does anyone have a contact address for SRAM/Rockshox UK?
Does anyone have a contact address for SRAM/Rockshox UK?
Yes the shop you bought them from or your local bike shop if they are friendly.
Fishers are the uk rockshox agents. I'd be dropping the lowers and cleaning the air shaft assembly and relubing myself. It'll take you an hour max assuming you've got the kit and by the time you've faffed got a box and posted is it worth it? If it happens again then get a service kit and do a full seal change service.