Rear shock service options?

[megaphone]

I've got a Fox R rear shock on my MTB. It hasn't been serviced for years, would like to get it done this winter, any recommendations? Anyone DIY'd one? If so how easy is it? I'm reasonably handy with the spanners.

[budgie smuggler]

You can't (easily) DIY the damper, since it is pressurised with nitrogen. The main dust/air seals are easy though, you just need the little service kit.

My recommendations would be Loco Tuning and TF Tuned. Loco is cheaper, TF is a bigger company who've been around longer. Mojo and J Tech can also do the work, but I've not used those myself.

TF can also offer Push tuning, which is basically a bunch of upgraded bits for the shock to improve various aspects. Really good, but quite expensive.

[P-Jay]

I've used Mojo many times and they're very very good - they're also the UK Distributer for Fox for a bit of credence.

It's worth considering however that including P&P a service on your shock will be roughly the cost of a new one.

[megaphone]

budgie smuggler said:

You can't (easily) DIY the damper, since it is pressurised with nitrogen. The main dust/air seals are easy though, you just need the little service kit.

My recommendations would be Loco Tuning and TF Tuned. Loco is cheaper, TF is a bigger company who've been around longer. Mojo and J Tech can also do the work, but I've not used those myself.

TF can also offer Push tuning, which is basically a bunch of upgraded bits for the shock to improve various aspects. Really good, but quite expensive.

Nitrogen? I usually pump it up with a shock pump, it's 10 years old. It also has a Specialized 'Brain' attached to it if that makes any difference?

[megaphone]

P-Jay said:

I've used Mojo many times and they're very very good - they're also the UK Distributer for Fox for a bit of credence.

It's worth considering however that including P&P a service on your shock will be roughly the cost of a new one.

Thanks, yes have looked at their site, starting at £111 for a service.

[budgie smuggler]

megaphone said:

budgie smuggler said:

You can't (easily) DIY the damper, since it is pressurised with nitrogen. The main dust/air seals are easy though, you just need the little service kit.

My recommendations would be Loco Tuning and TF Tuned. Loco is cheaper, TF is a bigger company who've been around longer. Mojo and J Tech can also do the work, but I've not used those myself.

TF can also offer Push tuning, which is basically a bunch of upgraded bits for the shock to improve various aspects. Really good, but quite expensive.

Nitrogen? I usually pump it up with a shock pump, it's 10 years old. It also has a Specialized 'Brain' attached to it if that makes any difference?

Yes, what you are pumping up is the air part of the shock which provides the spring. The damper is inside it and is pressurised with nitrogen.

I'm not sure about the Brain, you probably need to phone them up to check.

[P-Jay]

The brain is an old specialized thing, it's a lock-out device that was meant to make a FS a HT until the going go rough and it's unlocked. it's a separate unit connected via a hose.

I don't mean an offence to the OP, but they are utter ste. it doesn't matter what you do to them the system just doesn't work very well, it just can't react quickly enough and it makes the handling both straight on rough stuff and around bends inconsistent. Mojo will service it, as will TF.

Honestly. If I were the OP I'd buy something like this

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/fox-suspension-...

(CHECK SIZES OBVIOUSLY)

eBay is full of new drop shipped old spec shocks, Mojo sell 'ex demo' shock which have been nailed to a board for a couple of months and will tune them for you an fit the correct bushes for a new hundred quid.

Even a £100 new, old spec Float R Shock will be a big improvement.

[megaphone]

The brain on mine is attached to the actual shock, I think the later models had the pipe. I've been quite happy with the performance over the years, it all works well for me, that's why I've never bothered to get it serviced. I'll need to check the sizing of mine, see if any of the cut price units on CRC will fit.

[P-Jay]

Ah the big long version - Spesh Epic?

[TheBaj]

Specialized often use non-standard sizes which can be a right pain, found this out when I had my old Stumpjumper.

[BOBTEE]

I had Mojo service mine, very pleased with the customer service and turn around. I wanted mine tweaked though, if it was gonna be a straight service I'd buy new and sell my old one