I've finally gotten around* to carrying out lower leg service on some 2007 Fox TALAS RLC forks.
After somewhat of a struggle to get the lower legs off I found what was causing the lowers to resist removal from the stanchions:
Any ideas what could have caused this and if there is a way to clean this off?
*This is the first time I've had the forks apart so this could be a contributory factor.
Looks like it's gone through the surface of the stanchion? If so it won't clean off. Fox service schedules of that era weren't great to start with and 13 years is stretching it. If they are borked, RSF in Plymouth can press fit new stanchions into the crown.
And that corrosion looks like its where the stanchions have been meeting the bushings!
I'd have a look inside the lowers too. Probably new bushings required. They too can be pressed in.
Or it's time to search for new forks. If so, good luck finding 26" straight steerer forks. They're out there but becoming rare.
I think it’s new fork time really looking at that. 13 years without a service and them still working is pretty good going though.
The air chamber stanchion/leg is always the first to show wear/corrosion due to the miniscule amount of oil held in the lower leg
I think you might be right. I'll stick my 2002 Pace Airforce Hollowform LTs on the bike in their place.
The Pace's have been serviced and are in far better shape!
One leg will have been full of damper oil. This is the right leg (the left on your picture)
The other (air spring) leg contained at one point about 10ml of lubricating oil. That you were supposed to clean out and replace every 15-30hrs ish. So you’ve probably been running that leg completely dry for about 10 years! Frankly I’m amazed the forks worked at all!
They’re dead I’m afraid, and you might struggle to find a straight steerer replacement either new or second hand. Id give j-Tech a quick call (or email the pics) and they’ll talk through your options.
You might stand a chance if you find some local mtb groups on Facebook and post on their asking if anyone has an old set of forks that you could have/buy
what hamish says ^^
Wet+dry fine, nail varnish and let the varnish fully harden over night before stropping the wet+dry over. You have nothing to lose.
What Wally said. Might work for a while yet.
Wet+dry fine, nail varnish and let the varnish fully harden over night before stropping the wet+dry over. You have nothing to lose.
Cheers, I'll give that a try.
What’s caused this corrosion on my stanchions
You have, by failing to service them.
Frankly I’m amazed the forks worked at all!
'Working' is a relative term. They've probably felt like dogshit for years but beamers is too mechanically unsympathetic to notice.
I actually feel like we should phone someone to report the op for abuse to forks.😉
manitou still make good straight steerer forks. a 27.5 fork is barely any difference
‘Working’ is a relative term. They’ve probably felt like dogshit for years but beamers is too mechanically unsympathetic to notice.
Ha ha! I did notice a massive difference when I took delivery of a new bike with new forks! Rest assured those new forks are getting their lower leg service in accordance with the Fox schedule.
Browsong for some fork related info & stumbled on this thread on another forum. If you're lucky it might be of use.
Browsong for some fork related info & stumbled on this thread on another forum. If you’re lucky it might be of use.
Cheers nakedrider. Not being able to remove the fork legs was where this particular maintenance adventure started. I had to use same carefully applied brute force to get the fork legs past the corrosion.