Basic Mountain Bike Air Shock Service

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6 жыл бұрын

We rely upon our mountain bike suspension and shocks every ride to smooth out the trails and absorb the impact of jumps and drops. Basically we take it for granted, so here is how to do a basic service of your MTB air shock, and not only make them last longer, work better, but also understand how to tune them to your particular requirements.
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It doesn't matter which brand of air shock you've got, the principles are the same. Performing this straightforward and easy piece of maintenance regularly will increase the longevity of your shocks and improve your mountain biking enjoyment.
There are many telltale signs that a shock requires as service. Scratches, discolouration, gunk around the seals and odd noises all indicate that you should carry out this easy service, and will allow you to inspect the shock for any further problems.
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Пікірлер: 178

@gmbntech 6 жыл бұрын

Could your shock use a service? 👇

@sorakojootti2725 6 жыл бұрын

i actually have rockshox's rear shock with 60hours in, yes mine could use some service. And this sure will help alot! :)

@tomclarkson9331 6 жыл бұрын

Mine definitely does it's never been serviced

@SlingingLead 6 жыл бұрын

A service? Its only 15 years old !

@th_js 6 жыл бұрын

Nope, almost brand new. On my other bike it really does

@davedaverveld4070 6 жыл бұрын

Nope, it's only a few months old. But I reccon I can't service it myself 'cause it's a Fox-shock with a Specialized brain?

@henry06x 6 жыл бұрын

Can also use an old tire tube to twist it off. Give ya some extra grip and something to torque on to get the cAn off

@E620SE 6 жыл бұрын

no oil? 🤔

@zeahroela 3 жыл бұрын

Yep, they missed something important there. Also I would remove all the rings and seals, give a good clean with iso, and re-lube it for reassembly.

@millsy0882 5 жыл бұрын

"Rox or Fox shox"

@harrydidcote4074 2 жыл бұрын

For me fox shock rock shocks fork

@gpmoto6927 2 жыл бұрын

I can honestly say this is the most informative video I've seen on KZfaq. The guy knows what he's on about and willing to share his knowledge with the rest of us! Many thanks 👍👍

@mattcox4986 4 жыл бұрын

Spot on. I had to change the seals in my shock, and this video was perfect. Thanks Doddy

@imnotacrook5298 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for posting this, I just bought the seals for my Fox Float because I'm way overdue for some maintenance and this video really helped get over the worry of doing this job.

@JamesMadelin 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video, thanks. Interesting to hear you mention how hard bikepark riding is on bikes, and the way it judders everything loose. If you're hitting bikeparks, check bolts for tightness regularly, you'll be amazed how often stuff comes loose!

@The_Real_JN 5 жыл бұрын

Doddy: technical and hands - on Blake: informative and very entertaining Neil: somewhere in the middle

@jcsrst 4 жыл бұрын

I have learned so much watching Doddy! Thanks so much!

@TheDisruptiveYouTuber 4 жыл бұрын

Wow. Came here to find out how to service my shock but I was simply informed how to take the can off and put it back on again. Oil!?

@ruansmith5983 6 жыл бұрын

like you said, it doesn't matter if it's rox or fock shox :D

@nachoala5105 6 жыл бұрын

lmao xD

@daniellewis6394 6 жыл бұрын

I heard him say that came to the comments immediately. Made me laugh so damn hard. You dock, Roddy!

@paulsack9563 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video :) Got a canyon neuron about eight months ago and usually just clean ith with water and some silicon spray afterwards. Time to do a service on my shocks I guess!

@ColinBarling 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video guys well done.

@BearWolfMountain 6 жыл бұрын

Finally. Now i can do it myself. :)

@jakeodonnell1083 6 жыл бұрын

0:38 rocks or foxshox, interesting Doddy

@4ndyr0g3r50n 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I thought I was hallucinating, lol

@Spongeblunt 6 жыл бұрын

Cheers Doddy mate, that was one of the gaping holes in my knowledge! On another note; Went up Bike Park Wales today and saw your face grinning back at me from the screen 😁

@simonemarin 6 жыл бұрын

Open the air valve while pushing the outer can back

@notinuse795 3 жыл бұрын

thx this was helpful

@peterchreno808 3 жыл бұрын

Please make next video about service rear coil shock, thanks 😊

@decmarsden 6 жыл бұрын

Aren’t you supposed to put some oil in the air can when installing?

@Gumson99 6 жыл бұрын

Great job man! Can you please do the same on coil shock:) Thanks!

@DavidePetrini 5 жыл бұрын

Bello 👍

@gaceconi1 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this posting! Just a question about rear shocks without that additional reservoir. Do those shocks contain oil inside that needs to be bled out first or is it just an air canister that provides the cushioning? What dissipates the heat without any oil?

@nikisps4843 5 жыл бұрын

Please make a video for fox x2 service

@mikeey1988 5 жыл бұрын

Should do a vid for more obscure shocks like dyad n equalizer

@bradg8682 6 жыл бұрын

So what did you use to loosen it before the strap wrench lol.good video

@letsride5116 2 жыл бұрын

Could you do a cane creek shock service?

@eugenjuranovic7852 4 жыл бұрын

1:49 - Thats what she said :)

@hannesturppo7560 6 жыл бұрын

Great video to those who have a more conventional shock. I believe the fox X2 shock that I have has a diffrent desing and the only part that can be opened easily is where the volume spacers are located. I can't find a way to get it open enough to properly treat the seals that slide on the shock tube. Could you make a video for servising the X2 shock too? I believe this would help me and many other people greatly.

@RocketMagnetUK 6 жыл бұрын

When putting the air can back on set the shock to the slowest rebound.. makes it easier.

@Deebo1985 5 жыл бұрын

That would have been really handy information for me 20 minutes ago when I was grappling with the air can trying to get it back on!

@rubenvor 4 жыл бұрын

Rear shock damper service video. Please :)

@ReinLable 4 жыл бұрын

Have a quick question about Vivid Air R2C. If putting volume spacers in, do you need to take the air out in the IFP can as well??

@SlingingLead 6 жыл бұрын

Great show Doddy, very helpful. As an aside, I really fancy that wristwatch. What kind is it?

@hfbvc9480 4 жыл бұрын

Slinging Lead Primark special watch

@LukasEkers 4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately removing the aircan on a fox float x2 only reveals the volume spacers. The only visible moving parts being the air molecules.

@jeffdana9402 3 жыл бұрын

Should you put oil (Fox Fluid pillow pack) in before re-installing the air can???

@TCJACJ2000 Жыл бұрын

Do you have video for 100 hour rear shock

@DanoSlingz 4 жыл бұрын

I'm confused. This is the second shock rebuild video where the mechanic didn't add fluid before screwing the can back on. Why not??

@nomatesman 3 жыл бұрын

Agree - my understanding, with Fox at least, is that some shock fluid has to be added to keep the shock lubricated.

@Philoniousmonk 3 жыл бұрын

If you crank the rebound up to max closed, re screwing the air sleeve is easier...

@corentinoger 3 жыл бұрын

I'm puzzled, I just did my air can service (fox float dps), following a video from another channel. As instructed, I poured a dose of blue oil that came with the service kit, just before screwing the can back. Don't you put oil anywhere?

@mtka7022 6 жыл бұрын

Where do you use the Oil?

@lima188 6 жыл бұрын

I have just done my first 50h service in fork and shock. I’ve got the Mega Pro 275 and the bottom shock bolt is often come lose. I used thread locker and instead of 9Nm I went 11Nm. I used also white marker pen to see if bolts move and the bottom one do every maybe 50h riding. I also found the swing arm damaged a little from when the bolt came loose and i hit a rough section. What else can K do?

@christophercaparas7329 4 жыл бұрын

Good day sir, I purchased a carbon frame with 190 required shock, but I had a spare 200 Fox DRCV old rear shock. Can offset bushing fill the 10mm gap? If yes, will the structural frame not damage in time. I appeciate, thanks.

@olivierhacking 4 жыл бұрын

My Fox Float re:aktiv shock has bushings installed and I don't see how I can remove them manually. Ideas? It's from a '17 Fuel EX.

@radimnossek4834 2 жыл бұрын

Can I switch the nude lockout system on shock to normal fox lever lockout system, by buing the small blue lever? Thank you!

@DownUnderShenanigans 6 жыл бұрын

I don’t have the spray stuff or the specific lubricants or grease were do I get it I have a fox float X2

@matthewjohnson-trout6121 4 жыл бұрын

At a shop, I was told my rock Shox monarch + rc3 with specialized auto sag needed to be shipped to specialized to service it because it was there special auto sag shock so will this still work for it

@alf3071 Жыл бұрын

do you not have some oil in the shock? just using grease is enough?

@woshigepro2 6 жыл бұрын

Does this work for the DNM AOY-36RC rear shocks?

@ricardocarneiro7797 5 жыл бұрын

Why did you use sram butter? I thought sram dynamic grease was the right one to use with the rear shock? Whats the difference between the two? Thanks

@H105 4 жыл бұрын

What about the oil in the can before re connecting ?

@thel1zardking 5 жыл бұрын

Do Rockshox shocks not require oil on the air shaft, seems like a part that would require lubrication?

@James-il3tq 2 жыл бұрын

Same thing on Fox shocks. They need Fox float fluid (usually come in 5cc tubes with shock seals kit).

@davenicholson3491 5 жыл бұрын

I did a full service on my 2015 monarch debonair rct3. There is 1 scratch in the air sleeve and a scratch where the IFP sits. I Changed all the seals including the IFP but the to scratches are still there. Is there a way to repair the scratches or do u recon it’ll be better to buy a new shock? Cheers.

@kkkrrr7717 5 жыл бұрын

Idk why i m watching this i have a hardtail

@alexstraw6212 4 жыл бұрын

Krisztian same

@johncarrington8612 6 жыл бұрын

You showed the oil pillows but you never showed adding fresh oil, bad mistake if you run your shock without oil. I watch my shock shaft for the amount of oil on it after a ride, if you start to see more coming out than usual that is a good indication that the shock needs the more extensive 50 hour service. This check only works if you do the simple service regularly.

@finnhall1668 5 жыл бұрын

Where do you add the oil or grease?

@Deebo1985 5 жыл бұрын

Grease the seals on the air can and shock piston. You add oil inside the air can to both sides of the piston.

@remfpage 3 жыл бұрын

Lockout close or open when re inflating air shock?

@katman11 3 жыл бұрын

Will Fox Rear Shock Rebuild Kit 803-00-142 fit on the 2005/2006 Fox Float R with Specialized Brain Fade? Fox Tech support is telling me kit will not work on a shock that old....3rd Party shock rebuild specialists (Freewheel/Shockspital & Risse Racing Technology) however are saying the kit should work fine. Any other definitive answers? Thanks.

@harrynicholls9872 6 жыл бұрын

I found the continental don't do 2.4 tyres now but they do 2.3 instead

@majorticka1280 3 жыл бұрын

You have got to be kidding me with wearing a watch while doing this. hahahaha fml

@germainessoh1 Жыл бұрын

Are the gears easy to shift?

@surfjat15 4 жыл бұрын

I have a 2016 fox 36 160mm fox fork. it started loosing psi after every ride. I went to do a lower leg service on it , ordered a newer 2018+ fox 36 air shaft assembly along with a seal kit, I found out I could not install the newer style air shaft I researched wrong. I cleaned it , new dust wipers seals and fluids and cleaned the crap outta the stock air shaft. where does someone buy parts for older fox forks? how do shops rebuild them? I can't find anything on the internet for any fork older than 2018. what would I do what else can I buy if I need to replace my airshaft

@samuu_sc5899 6 жыл бұрын

I think i cant do that on my fox x2 or is there no difference?

@dtowler5 Жыл бұрын

No Fox float fluid? Or did I miss this?

@rjroark6126 6 жыл бұрын

Trie this on my squeaky Nude 2 on my Scott. Still squeaking. Any ideas?

@jayryan7473 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe turn rebound to slowest position BEFORE screwing on the air can so you're not fighting it while it shoots out.

@diggumvt04 4 жыл бұрын

My air can shell just keeps spinning and I can’t get it off... I squeeze the can as hard as I can and I’m using a strap wrench. Any ideas??

@MartyZaluski 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Good info. Sadly, this is the second video I'm watching where the technician is wearing a black T-shirt that doesn't provide enough contrast to easily visualize the parts. Sorry nitpickiness.

@othman3192 4 жыл бұрын

Can I just use normal grease? That stuff cost so much in my country

@shark2075 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this Doddy, very helpful. You said Rockshox recommends doing this maintenance every 50 hours of riding? Isn't that pretty often? Considering everytime I go out riding it takes me about 2 to 3 hours, that means I'd have to do that maintenance about every 16 rides out (so basically every month and a half). On a side note that Mega looks absolutely stunning.

@RamsayMacFarlane 5 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately that's the way they're built - engineered to be light and frictionless means te trade off is regular servicing... The recommended f*x service intervals are even more regular!

@shark2075 5 жыл бұрын

Alright, guess I'll go with that for now, my next Downhill bike will have a coil anyway. Thanks for your answer mate.

@Ad-dp5xf 3 жыл бұрын

You not need give drop of shock oil?

@owenminshall1217 5 жыл бұрын

Do you need to add any oil?? If so how much?

@wertpos 6 жыл бұрын

Rox or Fock shocks?

@6295607 10 ай бұрын

My air can is stuck. How to open it? Old Monarch with Loctite. Used strap, used inner tube.. cant get it open!

@pugz3838 6 жыл бұрын

I got a coil shock so what am I doing

@recklessriders6091 4 жыл бұрын

hi, i did a complete overhaul at a rockshox monarch high volume, but i removed all the air where ifp is, i can't get the pressure back with the adapter, anyone has any idea, thank you

@majlo325 4 жыл бұрын

Im looking rear shock with remote system for my Spark 2018 ... have somebody ? Meaby somebody know shop ?

@mostlikelywedoitservices6926 4 жыл бұрын

So I take it WD supports you guys. Why not a caparison against some other products?

@makeitathome1327 2 жыл бұрын

Is it possible to remove shockers on my bike, and if so, will it break my bike if i remove the shockers? And if it doesn't break the bike, how can i exactly remove the shockers?

@slimelord314 6 жыл бұрын

Rox shox fox shocks socks rocks fox shox rox rocks shox fox rox shocks fox shox 😁 Great video Doddy! I need to try it on my velvet fork

@slimelord314 6 жыл бұрын

Aw man looks like it's for shocks only not forks

@fabiolealvianabones7600 6 жыл бұрын

I took my bike one day for a shock service in a bike shop, and the guy said that my shock was dry and fill the air canister with car trasmition. I notice that beacuse, besides the suspencion performance sucks, with was leaking oil all the time, when I asked him about, he said that the retentors on my shock was broken. So I open it, and see that shit, sometimes it's better do the job by youself.

@ChannelZeroOne 6 жыл бұрын

I would to a see a video explaining bottom bracket standards. I got 2018 Specialized Enduro 29 recently. I bent my crank arm on a hard pedal strike. The shop I bought the bike from refused to share the bb standard. It made figuring out which crankset to get not so easy. Specialized does not state this spec on the product page. I want to use this opportunity to upgrade not just replace. Thanks

@MehYam2112 6 жыл бұрын

GCN, the sister channel, did a good video on this.

@Rikard416 4 жыл бұрын

Why my shock still has huge resistance when i already let all the air out??🤔

@RocketMagnetUK 6 жыл бұрын

IMO the only reason to use a strap wrench is your working on a potentially pressurised system and using the wrench keeps your hands/fingers out of the way. I've always done it by hand even though I have a strap wrench somewhere but you've made me think about the safety issue and how you can make the task safer... cheers.

@kasnebuus 5 жыл бұрын

Where can I get Fox Shox forks?!!?!?!?

@AirBelac123 5 жыл бұрын

Is there any other precautions I should take if I am servicing a shock that uses Trek’s RE:activ technology?

@gmbntech 5 жыл бұрын

That's a good question. We would definitely consult Trek's website before attempting this.

@Felipe_Rosso 6 жыл бұрын

Is it mandatory to use the specific Rockshox/Fox products? Because here in my country they are prohibitively expensive..

@MrKinir 5 жыл бұрын

As far as I can tell, the rock shox grease he showed at 2:25 was the PTFE kind. There are plenty of such lubricants in the tooling, automotive and bicycles industry, from different brands, if you ask around. From my experience, products from the automotive or motorcycle industry are cheaper and come in bigger quantity. Ask you local auto parts shop if they have any good quality PTFE lubricants (They come in either grease, or oil forms) From wikipedia: "Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The best known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is Teflon by Chemours. ... PTFE has one of the lowest coefficients of friction of any solid. PTFE is used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware."

@evelasq1 5 жыл бұрын

What about servicing front shocks with coil springs?

@user-sn4zp2ny5e 4 жыл бұрын

same idea

@user-dw1ii1ze8f 3 жыл бұрын

When i stop pumping to the shock

@rewind9536 3 жыл бұрын

13:50 Uh, good way to ruin the threads. It is my preferred way to, but only because I am too stubborn not to, and too cheap buy the right tool.

@stephenbenny1572 4 жыл бұрын

Why no oil?

@thatguy4707 5 жыл бұрын

SRAM / Rockshox say to use Dynamic Seal Grease when reassembling. You've got a tub there on the bench (black tub), but you used SRAM Butter instead. Any particular reason for that choice?

@The_Real_JN 5 жыл бұрын

It's basically the same thing. But it's called butter because it's a bit thinner and easier to apply

@The_Real_JN 5 жыл бұрын

And he gives you the reason at 13:03

@Isaac-wm5hq 6 жыл бұрын

Can i have some advice. I can't decide between the YT jeffsy al or the Canyon Strive al 5.0 I'll mainly be riding trails with various dirt jumps every now and again

@E620SE 6 жыл бұрын

I would go for the jeffsy

@Christophe_L 6 жыл бұрын

The Shapeshifter on the Canyon is famously unreliable, which is why I got the Spectral and ordered an angleset.

@th_js 6 жыл бұрын

You should be thinking of the Spectral and Jeffsy, Capra and Strive are Enduro bikes.

@denismacfarlane255 6 жыл бұрын

Costa del Artlepool pretyy and easy to maintain doesnt apply with women. Its one or the other.

@kuckuckbaumschere 6 жыл бұрын

0:38 why did nobody tell me about foxshox?

@seppoz2202 6 жыл бұрын

Hello, i have a monarch plus rc3 few months old and the stanchion is always greasy. My question is what is this grease and is it important?

@tomclarkson9331 6 жыл бұрын

Seppoz I have this too

@fieryawesomeness 6 жыл бұрын

If grease is really lumping up I would remove the air can and check for seal damage (grease could be leaking through here). If seals are in perfect condition then that amount of grease on the stanchion is normal, just wipe it off with something nice and soft of it gets too grimy.

@fieryawesomeness 6 жыл бұрын

Oh and one more thing, it's important to allow the stanchion to slide through the air can as smoothly as possible, that's why the entire shaft should be covered in normal use with a thin film of grease

@johanneshaidl1621 6 жыл бұрын

ROX or Foxshox :-)

@elmerizeaswell 5 жыл бұрын

I laughed so hard when he said that @38 secs in XD

@jeloneq7 5 жыл бұрын

THX Doddy! Now I do not need to buy a Vise.

@lchew82 6 жыл бұрын

Hey @doddy! I read on fox website when performing this type of service we should to put in some fox shock fluid. Can't find any where im at so any advise in what kind of replacement weight suspension fluid to use? I heard motorcycle suspension fluid can be use as a replacement?

@E620SE 6 жыл бұрын

yes you can, it's just for the greasing, not for the damping.

@ollydickinson2196 6 жыл бұрын

How can I tell if my shock is blown? Just wondering, in case.

@sven7639 6 жыл бұрын

if he no longer holds pressure

@ollydickinson2196 5 жыл бұрын

Oh ok my shocks are fine

@titi101 6 жыл бұрын

Who's the winner of the doddie's giveaway?

@jantr8467 6 жыл бұрын

Hello, I have a question my air can doesent come of it's stuck. The strap wrench is slipping of and when I try to do it with my hand I and my dad are not strong enough. How can I get it off ?

@geemail369 6 жыл бұрын

Give your strap wrench a thorough clean first. Then try applying some (gentle) heat with an air gun to the air can and some WD40 on the threads - thorough clean afterwards required!

@jantr8467 6 жыл бұрын

Le Typ Thank you I will try it out.