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Shock/Fork service – Am i unlucky?
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sandwicheaterFull Member
A quick poll, of those who send off your forks/shocks to be serviced, how often do they come back with an issue?
I have over the years needed to send off a fork once and a shock twice for a service. Each time to a different company and every time, they’ve come back broken.
Every time they have a slow/fast leak and have had to go back again.
Am i just unlucky?
Mumble grumble such dry trails going to waste mumble grumble need a spare bike mumble grumble.
tjagainFull MemberI service my forks myself. Rockshox and ‘zocchis. Pretty simple as its just an oil change
jamesozFull MemberI’ve had rebound adjusters fall off, scores appear shortly after servicing, one on a dropper post and one on a set of pikes.
I service all my stuff myself now and to be fair it’s very easy to nick a new seal that’s a right fit on reassembly.
P-JayFree MemberI’ve used Mojo loads of times, Loco twice and TFT once I think and never had an issue with any of them.
Hob-NobFree MemberI’ve had an issue once.
Generally I service my own forks. TF will do my shock, as they are the only people who can, never had an issue with them, they are a bit pricey, but also very good 🙂
sandwicheaterFull MemberSo i’m very unlucky, furry muff.
Really must stop being lazy and do it myself.
Mumble grumble
philjuniorFree MemberOf the stuff I’ve done myself, I’ve lost a rebound adjuster (no massive deal, it’s set at the right point now – interestingly it was one that had a screw to retain it, whereas the rockshox o ring fit have never gone missing on me) a couple of months after servicing. I’ve also lost 2 rebound adjusters on another set of forks, but I’m pretty sure from the scrapes on them that that was due to rock strikes rather than anything to do with the service haha. In fact I’m pretty sure I lost one before I ever serviced them.
Of the stuff I’ve sent off… One pair of forks went away, then back, then away again about 4 times before I just gave up and got a new pair of forks. The worst incident was when the rebound adjuster was on the wrong leg with oil everywhere in the package. It was for a manufacturer that didn’t offer service instructions and I was forced to use them for servicing. Lesson learnt!
oldnpastitFull MemberA friend took his forks to his LBS just before going on a big week long trip. They said “Oh, the air-spring shaft looks a bit scratched and will eventually need to be replaced”. On the trip, the forks, which had been fine, started leaking air and popping out the seals, and were basically unusable.
I service them myself, it’s not that hard.
spawnofyorkshireFull MemberSounds like you’re getting all the Friday afternoon specials Phil 🙁
I use TF Tuned now and they’re spot on for me, they’ve even fixed a damper out of warranty on my DT Swiss fork
PJM1974Free MemberI’ve had two issues with Mojo – first time a warranty shock repair broke the rebound damping, second time a warranty shock repair had a faulty seal, which sent shock oil pissing out under pressure. The courier subsequently lost my shock, so Mojo replaced with a brand new, shiny Kashima CTD free of charge. I can’t really fault them under the circumstances.
stevextcFree MemberBeen disappointed ….
I spent a lot of time deciding where to send Jnr’s fork for a tune.
In the end I sent it to TFT due to times as much as anything and they told me they would need to do a full service before tuning even though the shock was brand new.
I accepted that partly due to knowing they have to take it apart anyway….
When it came bad they did no tuning (other than a pressure that didn’t actually return the forks) but changed out brand new seals and rings…
The report completely ignored it being a new fork… “bushings are in good condition” (well its never been used so I hope so or its a warranty claim)
Got refilled with the same 5wt it went with…. no change of shim stack as discussed…
With the recommended pressure the fork still had 20% sag (80mm) without even being fitted to the bike..to extend it to 100mm it has to be physically pulled. The fork was also physically described incorrectly in the Service Record (120mm not 100mm) which isn’t changing without a different airshaft.
In the end I had no written contract on this as it had been discussed over the phone when they said they would tune it for the riders weight so I didn’t bother trying to discuss with them. Perhaps I should have but I just worked around it.
Won’t be using them again though.
Big-BudFree MemberThose saying they do it themselves are probably doing just a lower lube chscha and seals
Rebuilding a damper be it grip fit or a rs rs charge isn’t viable as the parts cost a significant amount so yes they may paint by numbers themselves
Best it to keep on top of the lower lube oil changes yourself then once a year send off
I’ve used for tuned on several occasions and only ever had an issue with a reverb which mixed oil with air after 3 rides after itnhad been for a service.murray sorted it and they warrantied it for 3 months
This isn’t a faufa of tf it can happen
Always had good service from them and Ruth is always good to desk with I’ll continue to use them
tjagainFull MemberErmmmm – fork servicing is just an oil change – damper and lower legs. Seals and bushes are repairs. I have not ever replaced a seal in my forks – perhaps because I service them regularly. Rockshock fork dampers even high end ones are easy to change the oil in. the zocchis on the tandem are going to need a bushing change at some point – must be 15 years old now. that will have to go to a specialist.
Doing it yourself means you can do some basic tuning as well – oil levels and viscosity
raybanwombleFree MemberNiot a bad thing to say about TF, they rang me today to tell me my dampers ETA and ask if I’d forgotten to order a spring with my new damper.
Lovely bunch. I always write down what I want changed in terms of the tune on the order form.
What’s more is that their client facing staff have a good amount of product knowledge, so you don’t always have to deal with a tired and overworked technician.
raybanwombleFree MemberErmmmm – fork servicing is just an oil change – damper and lower legs. Seals and bushes are repairs
Errrrr….
…..
….they are wear items.
That you’venever worn seals or bushings out says more about your riding than servicing.
Also, viscosity is a terrible, terrible way to tune a fork.
bigyanFree MemberErmmmm – fork servicing is just an oil change – damper and lower legs. Seals and bushes are repairs.
This is one of the reasons “full service” costs vary.
deadkennyFree MemberDo you guys get your car shocks rebuilt on each service? Probably not. Most garages will check, oil/grease as appropriate and parts/seals are considered repairs when they fail or rather the whole shock is just replaced. Mine usually go for 5 to 10 years without even being touched.
Full service replacing seals and bushes on bike shocks every year always seems OTT (sooner than that going by recommended 200hr full service intervals). Regular maintenance with oil changes and inspect the interior seals for damage and the former should avoid the latter generally. I replace wiper seals but they never seem to need doing either. Have started to do crush washers each time though, even though I’ve got away with reusing the old ones for years without leaks 😀 , just that I have a big bag of them now so may as well use them.
tjagainFull MemberRayban – more nonsense from you – why do you keep on making personal attacks based on your lack of understanding? I really have got under your skin haven’t I. You have already been banned once for personal attacks on me.
Bushes and seals only need replacing when they wear. Proper servicing means they remain properly lubed which means wear is minimal to non existent.
I suspect a fork on our tandem has had far more stress put thru it than most. 200 plus kilos landing from a few feet does that. Of course its open bath which helps a great deal.
So please stop making yourself look an idiot by making personal attacks on me. Especially when your basic premise is wrong once again.
raybanwombleFree MemberBushes and seals only need replacing when they wear. Proper servicing means they remain properly lubed which means wear is minimal to non existent.
Lubing doesn’t protect against deformation caused by bushing bind or make seals last indefinitely. Actual engineers have come up with servicing timelines for a reason. That includes full damper services.
You’re suffering from a giant case of Dunning Kruger syndrome.
raybanwombleFree MemberDo you guys get your car shocks rebuilt on each service?
Cars a a lot more overbuilt and have much tougher, tighter seals, high end mtb kit is closer to motocross hardware in terms of service requirements.
tjagainFull MemberI have been servicing and adjusting suspension on motorcycles and bicycles for decades. No motorcycle service states seal changes at regular intervals nor does the schedule for any of the forks I have.
Lubrication does stop bushings binding – thats what its there for. Why replace seals that are no0t leaking?
Why the personal attacks all the time – thats quite a few over several days
raybanwombleFree MemberDepends, again, your average b road cruiser doesn’t require it. Because they have been overbuilt from the outset for durability.
MTB and proper MX bikes are more service intensive.
tjagainFull MemberGo on then – show me the service schedule from the manufacturers that says seals must be replaced at every service. rockshox and marzocchi as those are the forks I have
Why replace seals that are not leaking? Why replace bushings that are not worn?
raybanwombleFree MemberTF tuned don’t replace bushings that aren’t worn. However the performance of seals degrade over time,in terms of friction coefficient (eg micro abrassions get introduced to the seals surface by dirt and some seals have a surface treatment that gets lost) and their sealing properties.
Fox service schedule is a damoer rebuild every 125 hours which includes seal replacement. I believe that at least the charger damper forks require exactly the same.
tjagainFull MemberIt makes sense to replace the parts costing pennies as a preventative measure if you are paying someone hundreds to strip the fork. But DIY why replace working parts?
So manufactures reccomendations to replace all seals at every service? rockshock and marzocchi as those are the forks I have
Put up or shut up
trail_ratFree MemberChanging the oil is not a service . That is changing the oil
Rock shock suggest a lower leg service which the kit for includes the oil seals , foam rings and wiper seals as well as 2 new crush washers.
At 200 hours they suggest a damper service.
Now obviously that is excessive but in there cases like strathpuffer it’s too long.
My sids were serviced prior and I still emptied out fine silica and had manky foam rings – after 24 hours only. But it is a light weight bearbones race fork and I’m a heavy biff.
Changing the oil will keep them feeling better for longer but the short of it is most folk due to gradual degredation don’t know when their forks feel like shit. But don’t kid your self an oil change is a service.
raybanwombleFree MemberDo some **** research TJ before spouting bollocks, see Trail Rats post, your own annecdotal experiences with basic open bath forks won’t translate to everyone elses equipment or the intended use. Someone else could bollocks their forks because of the stupid advise posted on here.
I find the single biggest difference made to a used fork, more so than any tuning is new seals
tjagainFull MemberI actually have top end rockshox as I said earlier.
Again with the insults. why?
trail_ratFree MemberI definantly wrote 50 hours for lower leg service in there but this new forum does its own thing these days
I don’t believe for a minute anyone does those intervals mind …. Most folk would never get out on their bike as it’d forever be in the shop. Mostly it’s a license to get out of warrenty claims —-although in adverse conditions it is a good idea to adhere .
tjagainFull MemberDoes the service schedule actually say to replace the seals? I certainly don’t remember seeing that in the workshop manual. Seal kit every 50 hours? having a girraffe
mikertroidFree MemberI’ve used TF Tuned for years now. They’ve been great. That said I seem to have a high proportion of damage discovered by them on servicing. Whether that’s my hamfisted riding or sheet bad luck I don’t know!
Just had a set of pikes serviced which are now running well but the monarch rear shock I sent in was a write off. Bought a Cane Creek DBIL coil shock off them which is lovely!!
tjagainFull MemberRight – just checked the technical manual I have for rockshox. It does NOT say to replace the seals at all. Merely the fluids. Inspect and clean for the seals. Obviously if the seals are worn and letting muck in then a change would be sensible
I’ll try to paste the service schedule but given how this forum works I doubt it will come out right
The following chart is a summary of the maintenance/service intervals for RockShox forks. Following this schedule is important to
ensure the consistent performance and longevity of your fork. Some of the information listed may not be applicable to your fork.
Maintenance Interval (Hours)
Inspect carbon crown-steerer Every ride
Clean dirt and debris from upper tubes Every ride
Check air pressure (air forks only) Every ride
Inspect upper tubes for scratches Every ride
Lubricate dust seals and upper tubes Every ride
Change Speed Lube oil bath 25
Check front suspension fasteners for proper torque 25
Clean and lubricate remote lockout cable and housing 25
Remove lowers, clean/inspect bushings and change oil bath
(if applicable) 50
Clean and lubricate air spring assembly 50
Change oil in damping system (including hydraulic lockout) 100
Clean and lubricate coil spring assembly (coil forks only) 100so rayban – I have asked you several times now to give me the manufacturers recommendation for changing the seals as a part of the service. You have not. Until then I will continue to adhere to the service schedule as in the technical manual I have.
bigjimFull MemberI’ve had many rockshox seals fail, usually the one at the bottom of the air spring around the shaft so the -ve air leaks out goes first, also had ones in damping going after far too long without being replaced. Had ten year old dust wipers go funny and let oil out too. Also had monarch debonair sleeve seals fail after maybe 60 hours riding with the bike just sitting there over winter, they were permanently flattened when I took them out so must have been enough for the air at over 150 psi to leak through. Also had my reverb fail on the roof of the car on a long journey to italy, dumped all its oil en route.
tjagainFull MemberThis is what it has to say about seal changes
Suspension fork seals are considered “wear and tear” parts and require regular maintenance, depending on the frequency of
riding, riding terrain, and type of fork. The more you ride, the more frequently your seals need to be replaced. The following
chapter covers wiper and oil seal removal and installation. At this point you should already have the lower legs removed from
your fork. If not, you will need to return to the Lower Leg Removal section of this manual and follow the instructions for removing
your fork lower legs.so no – you do not have to replace the seals every service. Manufacturers own technical manual
I consider that conclusive. According to rockshox you replace the seals when worn or damaged. Service is replacing the fluids.
raybanwombleFree MemberI consider that conclusive. According to rockshox you replace the seals when worn or damaged. Service is replacing the fluids.
You mean repairing worn and damaged oil right?
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