Fox forks problem

[d8mok]

Looking for a little help. My 2008 stumpjumper expert came fitted with Fox F90 RL 32 forks when new. After 5 trouble free years , I think today I found a problem.

Got back from a ride , and noticed some play in my front end, and a slight knocking sound. Assumed it was the headset as felt similar, but after stripping and regreasing the headset I'm now convinced the play is coming from the forks.

If I put my hand around the stanction I can feel movement. It's worse in the disc side for sure.

What is the problem? Any ideas of a fix?

Hope it's not new forks time.

If it makes any difference I purchased the bike new , but I guess warranty is long gone.

Thanks for any help.

Dom

[Jimbo.]

Bushes, potentially. They wear, and the likes of TF et al can service/overhaul them to better than new.

Just hope (although it doesn't sound like it!) that it isn't the CSU (uppers and steerer)!

Edited by Jimbo. on Friday 11th January 18:00

[d8mok]

Local bike shop say bushes.

But say its £250 to do it roughly.

How much?

Can buy new forks for £270

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/fox-racing-shox-f10...

[matt-ITR]

Sounds like the bushings have worn, in which case you can bet the Crown Steerer Unit (CSU) will need replacing as well.
By the time you add in labour it won't be worth repairing. Best bit, stick them on ebay with an accurate description including the problem then buy some new forks.

Forks forks have a 15 hour service interval, after which you should remove the lowers, clean the seals and replace or clean the foam rings.
If you don't stick to the maintenance schedule then forget any potential warranty claim.

[Jimbo.]

Ball to getting the LBS to do it. Send them here:

http://www.tftunedshox.com

...with service (+ bushes) charges here:

http://www.tftunedshox.com/service/fox.aspx

So you're looking at £90 + 30 + courier. Methinks your LBS is extracting the urine a tad. And TF are the best in the business

[Justin S]

Send them to locotuning. He's ex Mojo, the fox importers and does them cheaper. Nice chap and sorted my Fox's out and never been better.

[d8mok]

Thanks guys.

Might even try it myself

[matt-ITR]

Before you send them off anywhere, check the stantions throughly.
If there is any wear, or faint markings then thats the sign that you will need a new CSU.
If there is no wear at all, then I would also recommend Loco Tuning.

Bad:


Very bad:

[d8mok]

Will check them out but think they ok.

[matt-ITR]

Have you serviced the regularly? If not, I would be absolutely amazed if a 5 year old fork has no wear.
I don't get 6 months from a set even with regular maintenance.

[d8mok]

Yeh no wear at all .

And they've never been serviced.

Maybe it's time to have them done.

Surely it's something I can do myself

[Justin S]

You can regulary oil change them yourself easily maye twice a year depending on riding time. Just get some 5 wt motorcross fork oil. A litre will do a few changes, depending on volume. As for fork bushings, you will need tools for this job. Get it done at loco this time and then do it yourself from then on.

[BOR]

I was convinced my bushes were worn, but I changed the oil and they were like new again. Five years is a long time however....

Changing the oil was relatively easy - I did post a description of the process but you will have to search for it.

I would personally try an oil change, if that doesn't work, I would buy a new set of old stock. That will be more economic than paying 50-80% to service the old ones.

[matt-ITR]

If the bushes are worn you will need a special tool, its not something that can be bodged.
Send them off, Loco or TF or whoever will give you a report on the conditions and from that you will really know the condition.

Basic oil changes are reasonably simple, but you do need some specific tools, such as a flat 25mm socket. Standard sockets have a chamfer, but if you know an engineering company you can get one ground down.

[Rolls]

The whole service interval thing with forks is a joke IMO... 15 hours - that's what - 3 decent rides!

[BOR]

I think it's a joke for normal conditions, but....I've enjoyed riding F-T-D at Cannock Chase a few times, but last time, during/after heavy rain, the fine powdery sand there penetrated deep into the adjusters at the top and bottom of my forks (it was even in my socks FFS ).

I could not wait to change the oil and clean out all the sand, so in those conditions, 15hrs is almost too long.

Otherwise, I think you can feel them "going off".

[Justin S]

I didnt service my Rebas for 2 years. Forgot I owned that that long to be honest. Stripped them, cleaned them, removed the nasty looking oil from them.Refilled with fresh and a total transformation in smoothness and operation. Nothing wrong internally, but for the sake of 30 mins twice a year, they will get serviced. During the winter, I only ride a rigid singlespeed, so saves them being destroyed by the grit and crap. The only issue you may have is filling the forks with oil, as no one does a syringe big enough. if you know a horse vet or someone similar, they may help. Luckily my father in laws wife works for the health service and any out of date big syringes, dont go in the bin, but into my tool box.

[shalmaneser]

Fox are very sensitive to servicing. 5 years of no love will almost certainly see them needing new bushes.

You can service them yourself (change the seals and the oil) but bushes require special tools and are a massive pain in the balls to do. Send them off to TF (or whoever) and keep on top of the servicing in future - assuming the stancions are OK.

And in future oil/seal change every year should see you alright.

[stuarthat]

15 hr service on mine clean maybe change sponge seals+check takes around 25 mins well worth doing ,some forks are so expensive why wouldnt you maintain them as per guide?

[matt-ITR]

stuarthat said:

15 hr service on mine clean maybe change sponge seals+check takes around 25 mins well worth doing ,some forks are so expensive why wouldnt you maintain them as per guide?

Agree in theory, but I think its crazy to have such a low service interval when other companies are no where near.
Rock Shox are 50-100 hours from memory. Marzocchi is even less frequent.

Not sure if its just a UK issue with the importers being extremely harsh on all warranty repairs. Lack of servicing is a frequent excuse given regardless of what has actually been done.