Post by Admin on Nov 15, 2014 22:24:15 GMT
Suspension Fork Maintenance Guide
PART ONE
Jason Aldred runs Rebound Suspension, a UK based firm that provides suspension servicing and repairs on mountain bike forks and rear shocks of all makes; including Fox, Rockshox, Marzocchi, Manitou, Pace and many more.
There are a number of tips, tricks and procedures that can ensure your suspension forks stay running smooth and strong for as long as possible. Jason has kindly shared these great insights with us through a Wiggle guide…
Understanding fork lubrication
The most important part of maintaining your suspension forks is keeping the fork well lubricated. This means ensuring there is lubrication inside the fork, and that this lubricant isn’t contaminated by dirt from the outside.
Suspension forks use a unique oil-based lubrication system. The oil pools in the lower part of the fork legs, and from here it helps to lubricate the bushes and seals within the fork, allowing it to move smoothly and without friction.
To keep the oil in and the dirt out, suspension forks contain a number of seals. Firstly, there is the external dust seal to keep the muck out. This is often complemented with an additional oil seal and a foam ring within the fork.
(The foam ring retains oil beneath the seal and also collects any particles of dirt that get in. Foam rings in Fox forks use a lubricant called Float Fluid, this fluid is also present in air sprung forks to lubricate the air piston).
For the external seals to repel dirt effectively, and for the internal bushes to remain frictionless, they must both remain well lubricated. Many modern forks contain only 5 or 10ml of oil for lubrication, but this is all it needs to keep the system running smooth.
Keeping oil in and dirt out
To encourage the oil to lubricate the upper bushes and seals in the fork leg, it is helpful to turn the fork upside down to let the lubrication run down. Turn your bike upside down and allow 20 minutes for the oil to run down into the seals.
Clean your forks with water, a hose is best, but if you use a jet wash then turn the bike upside down first so as not to force water inside the fork seals.
Be sure to remove all dirt from the fork stanchions and around the seals, especially between the stanchions and fork arch at the front of the fork.
The lubricant contained within the fork is all a fork needs to work well. Extra stanchion lubricating products are not necessary for fork maintenance.
Dirty Dust Seal
Clean Dust Seal
PART ONE
Jason Aldred runs Rebound Suspension, a UK based firm that provides suspension servicing and repairs on mountain bike forks and rear shocks of all makes; including Fox, Rockshox, Marzocchi, Manitou, Pace and many more.
There are a number of tips, tricks and procedures that can ensure your suspension forks stay running smooth and strong for as long as possible. Jason has kindly shared these great insights with us through a Wiggle guide…
Understanding fork lubrication
The most important part of maintaining your suspension forks is keeping the fork well lubricated. This means ensuring there is lubrication inside the fork, and that this lubricant isn’t contaminated by dirt from the outside.
Suspension forks use a unique oil-based lubrication system. The oil pools in the lower part of the fork legs, and from here it helps to lubricate the bushes and seals within the fork, allowing it to move smoothly and without friction.
To keep the oil in and the dirt out, suspension forks contain a number of seals. Firstly, there is the external dust seal to keep the muck out. This is often complemented with an additional oil seal and a foam ring within the fork.
(The foam ring retains oil beneath the seal and also collects any particles of dirt that get in. Foam rings in Fox forks use a lubricant called Float Fluid, this fluid is also present in air sprung forks to lubricate the air piston).
For the external seals to repel dirt effectively, and for the internal bushes to remain frictionless, they must both remain well lubricated. Many modern forks contain only 5 or 10ml of oil for lubrication, but this is all it needs to keep the system running smooth.
Keeping oil in and dirt out
To encourage the oil to lubricate the upper bushes and seals in the fork leg, it is helpful to turn the fork upside down to let the lubrication run down. Turn your bike upside down and allow 20 minutes for the oil to run down into the seals.
Clean your forks with water, a hose is best, but if you use a jet wash then turn the bike upside down first so as not to force water inside the fork seals.
Be sure to remove all dirt from the fork stanchions and around the seals, especially between the stanchions and fork arch at the front of the fork.
The lubricant contained within the fork is all a fork needs to work well. Extra stanchion lubricating products are not necessary for fork maintenance.
Dirty Dust Seal
Clean Dust Seal
