Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)
  • 2018 Pike damper seals leaking
  • teenrat
    Full Member

    The charger damper in my 2018 Pikes is knackered – apparently seals have gone and cant be replaced as a serviceable item.

    The bike mechanic has advised that a new damper is upwards of £200.

    STW advice is appreciated as to what to do. Is there a cheaper way to sort this out? install an upgraded damper? or ditch the forks as spares/repair.

    Superficial
    Free Member

    It is possible to completely rebuild the damper with all new seals/ bladder (if you can get them) although it’s a bit fiddly. I’m sure JTech/ whoever would sort it out if you don’t want to DIY it.

    Are they just leaking out the top? From memory it’s not particularly hard to fix this – doesn’t require a full strip down although does require the right seals.

    teenrat
    Full Member

    ive been told that the seals in question cant be bought. Apparently this is what Rockshox said themselves. Seems crazy to bin a damper due to a couple of 10p seals!

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...
    Latest Singletrack Videos
    Northwind
    Full Member

    I had that happen with an old blackbox damper but crazy if it’s happening with Pikes. I’d be fairly surprised if it’s true, though0- you can definitely buy most of a charger damper in bits (I don’t want to say “all” because I haven’t looked closely enough but you can get the damper top/bladder assembly, rebound leg, seal head, etc…)

    Whole damper is under £200 from a few places (maybe not the latest version) but I see a lot of those are EU so maybe not as simple as it was. Is it with a proper suspension place or just a bike shop? The difference between people who can “do a service” and people that really specialise in forks can be pretty big

    intheborders
    Free Member

    When were they last serviced, lower leg (you/LBS) and/or properly by an suspension outfit?

    teenrat
    Full Member

    They were serviced in December by a local bike workshop and thats where they are at the moment.

    andybrad
    Full Member

    i think the only bit you’ll struggle with is the bladder. Id be asking what was actually leaking.

    binman
    Full Member

    Try SlicknSlide, they seem to be able to service most forks ?

    Superficial
    Free Member

    I think it is true that RS no longer sell the seal kit aftermarket. Which is really annoying – I bought one and did my Charger a year or so back. Nevertheless, it’s just a collection of correctly-sized o-rings so perhaps someone can supply those (or at least tell you which ones to order). If it’s the bladder itself that’s a bit more tricky. I have a spare somewhere I think.

    Northwind
    Full Member

    If it’s a nonboost Pike then maybe this is cheap enough to just swap it

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324360993274?mkevt=1&mkcid=28&chn=ps

    teenrat
    Full Member

    Thanks, but it’s boost I’m afraid.

    Going to give tf a ring tomorrow and see what they say

    bigyan
    Free Member

    Unfortunately RockShox dont sell all the Charger 2/2.1 seals or include them in the service kit, you are just supposed to replace the damper if it leaks out of warranty. Full seal kit includes the seal head, but not the bladder etc. RockShox do not supply instructions for stripping the bladder/compression assembly.

    Leaks out of the compression adjuster at the top of the fork appear to be semi common.

    If you have a look online you can see what people have been doing to fix them. There are a couple of youtube videos, some pictures of one fully stripped etc.

    WSS are good for aftermarket bladders.

    I think some people where fitting an o ring to the HSC spool, others were fitting a new X ring.

    https://www.boxxerservis.cz/2020/01/rock-shox-charger-2-unik-oleje-kolem.html

    Northwind
    Full Member

    What a shitshow. And why is the boost version different from the nonboost?

    I was pretty impressed when I was looking into upgrading my Fox 36s, they’re a 2015 model but I can basically drop in parts from every Fox 36 made since then, I can fit any newer damper, most of the air springs, the Smashpot coil upgrade I bought will fit any fork up to 2020 without a single new part and the 2021 model with just one small change… I can even swap on newer lowers or uppers, though Boost knackered that a bit. And every part for my old fork is available on top of the forward compatibility.

    Meanwhile Rockshox haven’t maintained the intercompatibility and they’re not even selling service parts.

    r8jimbob88
    Free Member

    Ring Rick and Slick and Slide Suspension in Macclesfield. He’s managed to get hold of some upgraded seals and will be far cheaper than a new damper.

    bigyan
    Free Member

    Yeah Rick sorts them, forgot about that, might be worth just sending the damper to Slick and Slide?

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUkNXkhbVD/

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHVStLhNMZ/

    teenrat
    Full Member

    Thanks for suggesting slick and slide. Just phoned Rick and he can sort the damper for around half the price of a new damper.

    Can’t believe that rockshox have adopted a ‘throw away’ attitude on such an expensive, integral part.

    teethgrinder
    Full Member

    Bumping this. Got hold of some used pikes with a Charger 2 rct3 to go on the HB160 as the 36’s will be going on the 916.

    Went out tonight and the compression dials leaked like a sieve. Managed to squeeze in an o-ring under the x-seal so hopefully that’ll stop the leak.

    Charger 1 was way easier to service.

    Scienceofficer
    Free Member

    As a home mechanic, this is precisely the reason I moved back to Fox.

    JonEdwards
    Free Member

    I’m having a different issue with my ’18 Pikes – combination of worn stanchions/worn bushings on the left hand leg – but it turns out, like the seal mentioned above, RS can’t or won’t supply replacement CSUs for a 4 year old fork. Not impressed.

Viewing 19 posts - 1 through 19 (of 19 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.