Marzocchi 55 RC3 Evo ti 2012 – foam ring question

Noticing a bit of stiction in mine – the small bump sensitivity doesn’t always seem so good, despite running no air and no compression or preload. A couple of folk (on here I think) have recommended removing the foam ring under the seal. Can anyone tell me what difference it makes or expand on this? I just imagine the foam is there to keep crap out and should be left in, but maybe I’m missing something. Wouldn’t removal invalidate the (very reassuring) 3-year warranty? Any tips/experiences much appreciated. Ta.

foam ring is to keep oil up near the top of the fork and help keep the wipers lubricated as well as isolating the wipers from gettign completely flooded with oil.

can be a slightly ‘tight’ fit around the stanchions and add a bit to stiction, though.

I’d talk to Windwave before making a change like that and see what they say but maybe you need a lighter spring?

Lots of people have cut the foam ring out with no troubles – one person told me that they’d heard from marzocchi that they were just there to help bedding in.

I was a little sceptical, so I went with the slightly less irreversable option of soaking the foam with 5wt suspension fluid. Stiction disappeared and the fork went back to being buttery smooth 🙂

Dave

Cheers for these. I think the spring is probably spot on for me – around 12 stone kitted up. The forks certainly feel great on medium and big hits – they just feel a bit like they’re most active when being worked hard, and not always quite so supple on pedally, flat terrain with smaller hits. Anyway, just spoke to Windwave who were helpful – they said oil the foam from time to time, and they also said it was fine to remove the foam altogether and that it wouldn’t void the warranty.

So with regards lifting the seals is there a preferred method ?
I have tried with a screw driver with the end wrapped in tape to protect the stanchion, but they would not budge. Any tips that might help/

look here at about 7:30 http://www.pinkbike.com/video/242073/%5B/url%5D big washer seems to be the solution.

jimr80 – I’ve lifted the seals on mine before and just used the edge of a sharp knife, gently levering. It was surprisingly easy and I didn’t even come close to slipping or damaging the stanchions, and I[‘m certainly not mechanically minded.

wwaswas
I have watched the vid. So are you guys lifting the seals whilst doing a lower leg service or are the forks fully assembled and popping the seals up?

are the forks fully assembled and popping the seals up

Not this.

You asked how to get the seals out during a service? I remembered this video and thought that 44 and 55 are pretty similar so posted the link. IF it’s just an oil change then no need to remove the seals at all.

I had same stiction issues with my 2011 versions. I removed the foam ring completely and replaced with generous amounts of Pace grease. Big improvement.
You need a really thin blade (I used a screwdriver) to get under the seals and prise them up initially. Then I used a plastic coated tyre lever to lift them up further to prevent any scratching of stanchions.

I popped the seals up on fully assembled forks – just used a big flat screwdriver, and took my time.

Dave

mojo5pro – cheers for this – might give it a try on the 2010 55s I have on my other bike. Basically the forks seem to work very well when they’re warmed up on descent, but they seem to stick a bit when I’m traversing. If I stand and put weight on the front end, they almost lock at certain points in their travel. Is that what you experienced? Everyone else (mags included) seems to have nothing but praise for the buttery plush feel, but it’s not 100% consistent IMO on my forks.

If I stand and put weight on the front end, they almost lock at certain points in their travel. Is that what you experienced?

Mine were exactly as you describe. Solved by soaking the rings in 5wt.

Dave

Cheers Dave – gonna give this a go. Is all 5wt suspension oil much of a muchness or do you recommend one? Never used one before.

i just bought cheap stuff from a motor factors

http://www.peterverdone.com/wiki/index.php?title=Suspension_Fluid i think cant load at work.

spectro 7.5 iirc

there was a vid of the CRC mechanic servicing the wc team’s 888 forks & he recommended binning the foam ring. have done this with mine & no adverse effects…

on a side not, has anyone had any issues with oil leaking from under the compression adjuster at the foot? what do people use to tighten the foot nut that screws on to the bottom of the cartridge? i’ve done it as much as i can, but there comes a point where i’m fighting against the cartridge spinning so have a feeling the nut is not as tight as it could be & therefore leaking a bit of oil. any thoughts? does that even make sense??

wl- yep, that’s exactly how mine were. They got worse over time as the foam ring became bone dry. I got rid of foam ring and greased thoroughly between oil and dust seals and now they feel much smoother and sensitive in the initial stroke.

Don’t do it Will.
Remember what happened when you greased your ring on the wild camping trip to the Lakes. 😳

You’re late, Cupid! Been wondering where you were on this. Email us about the new hardtail sometime – very keen to get the lowdown. Hope all’s well.