Basic shock maintenance (AIR CAN SERVICE for Fox Float shocks) | Syd Fixes Bikes

[@sydfixesbikes]

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[@garrettsmith8286]

Cool! I'm sending my DPX 2 & Factory 36 in for service. You should see it soon! 😁

[@andershelle1]

@@garrettsmith8286

[@scottyp2625]

A cool trick I learned from aviation is to cut the old o ring once you pull it out so you can never confuse the old for the new. Cheers!

[@D91Mart]

Or just throw it away. 🤷‍♂️ I also work in aviation.

[@djcooljones4585]

I love Syd's words of wisdom, "It ain't broke until its clean and broke" Awesome!!!

[@cajames1]

I watched this video twice a year. And it works every time. I can't thank you enough for such practical walkthroughs.

[@holc123]

the one minute summary at the end is absolute gold video production.

[@TheChillBison]

Can't say how much I appreciate these videos. You make it look possible without glossing over things the home mechanic may find difficult.

[@applicablerobot]

Flipping Macky off over damping vs dampening. Roflol. You two are awesome.

[@nickclarkuk]

It ain’t broke til it’s clean and broke 😂. This channel gives me confidence to try maintenance on my own - thank you !

[@alexfauteux7423]

Hey this is awesome! I’m just starting out with MTB and have been racing motocross since I was 6 so it’s cool to hear that you guys ride MX too. One of the reasons I’m getting into bikes is because the maintenance on dirt bikes is really time consuming but it’s also a part of the sport that I love so I’m really enjoying these videos to learn about the mechanic side of mountain bikes. As far as I can tell it’s very similar to dirtbikes but simplified into a smaller scale. I love it thank you for the content!

[@braydenhall1835]

Can you guys do a frame bearing service video sometime? I really find these informing and super helpful!!!

[@conman1395]

Yes, that'd be sick. Pivots as well as BB and headset. Replacing and regreasing would both be helpful

[@newttella1043]

Another useful and relateable tutorial! I would suggest leaving the shock on the bike to start with: remove as much air as you can, cycle the shock (easy to do while still on bike, very hard to do out of the bike), remove rest of the air. Then, if really tight use a square of old tube to grip the canister, twist loose. Place rag on stanchion in case canister still wants to fly off, rag will stop it from hitting the bike. Then you can loosely thread canister back on to remove shock in one piece for the rest of the service. Oh - everyone should take the time to look up torque settings for bolting back onto their bike. Too tight and you can wear out pivots, bushing, and/or bearings. Or even affect the smoothness of the fork travel. It's not as tight as most people think they should be.

[@77machineman]

Im one of those people who basically other than checking the cylinder pressure once in a while neglected my shocks but attest to fox it lasted 16 yrs (fox float R purchased 2008) with no problems and it was just a valve failure but im going to do it properly and recondition it she should be good for another 16yrs then. Cheers for the info

[@nonegiven9579]

yeah mines of a similar vintage and not been apart yet - if it aint broke dont fix it

[@theshedMTB]

Perfect timing, i just got me one of them shocks! Ive gotten more tips from this channel than i can remember! Just need to buy me one of them "pokey things"

[@adallegretti6876]

Just got all the necessary tools to do this service on my shock. I love these videos. I totally relate to all of Syd's struggles 😂

[@bryanhutzler7010]

Syd learning to not mix the new and the old o-rings is doing better than me.

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

Wow, Syd thinks Macky’s “damping” comment is #1! It’s nice when your wife appreciates your help! ;)

[@martynprice87]

Doesn't happen in my house. Syd is a keeper

[@tl2913]

Syd made my day!... who knew that she knows how to give the bird to Macky? Super sweet...Love it. 13:50 - 14:00 :)

[@jafranswa]

I used my bike stand clamp as I lack a vice and it worked great =D Thanks for the super helpful (and not painfully dry) videos!

[@1969Escobar]

Guys great job, cheers from South America

[@The_G]

Thank you for this video - followed it and a complete success in servicing my own rear shock - great tutorial 🥰

[@wattermelon1510]

Some of the best tutorials out there. Thanks guys. Happy Trails.

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

Haha! That's what I've noticed... In general, I lose 15 psi when I put the shock pump on... but it can vary a psi or two one way or the other depending on the shock volume. I've never rebuilt a Fox Shock, this is good stuff! I have rebuilt my old Cane Creek AD12 about 4 times in the past 20 years. It is amazingly robust, but tends to go flat suddenly one day if the seals are not replaced often enough. The Ad12 is not nearly as refined as a good modern air-oil shock, but it keeps working, with, as you mentioned, regular maintenance.

[@paulchatterton1]

You can actually get solid plastic picks (pokey tools). They can't scratch the air can like the metal ones 👌

[@chiccorocker]

Perfect timing given I just got a bike with Fox suspensions in it :D thanks. I just did the service on my older bike with a RockShox and I had to figure a few things out to make it to the end, same problem as you putting it back together, ended up pushing it against a concrete wall with my whole body weight and I managed to close it actually pretty easily. And as Felix suggested: cycling the shock while letting the air out to equalize the two chambers helps a lot, the air can wont explode out on you :)

[@noControl556]

Use Maxima Suspension clean to clean the suspension, it smells awesome and has a slickness to it and doesn't hurt the o rings

[@geraldmaybebaby1585]

That was cool. My only criticism. At 8 minutes when you placed the white rings on. Use the small cylinder of the shock to pass through the gap. Rather than opening ring really wide around the larger diameter of its resting place....:-)

[@Tomsfr]

best exploding shock ever ! No damage, no injury ;)

[@Basement_CNC]

the reason why the aircan shot out is because the neg airspring was still charged and i recommd letting out a bit (50 psi or so) of air cycling the shock( equalizes it) and doing this until its emty so you domt have a aircan flying im your direction , or at least put a shop towel thru tje bushing and for all boys out there aim away from your nu*s, it fri*king hurts, ask me how i know

[@sydfixesbikes]

Ahhh so this is why Macky had me do this step 😂😂 but seriously the towel tip works, we did it on the second shock we did and things were much more controlled lol. Good to know about neg air spring, that makes a lot of sense. Live and learn!

[@anthonywelch9605]

@@sydfixesbikes It's also a good idea to make absolutely sure that your shock is not in what's referred to as a Stuck Down condition (where pressurized air has bypassed the internal seals and is now forcing the shock to contract completely- most often the product of cold weather riding in my experience) BEFORE you unscrew the can. In this state the air can will be fired off into the next time zone and can do a lot of damage to anything in the line of fire! There are tutorials available on how to deal with a Stuck Down shock that you really want to watch before messing with!

[@Hardcaslte]

Yeah I was curious about that too, when I've had my shock serviced I've always been told to slowly release the air pressure approximately 50psi at a time, cycle the shock, and keep doing it until it's completely empty. Even if you're just deflating your shock or fork to take out a token or something like that, you should still do it. Same with pumping it back up, cycle it every 40-50psi to balance the two chambers otherwise you might pump it up and after a ride it'll be too low because it balanced the air between the two chambers during the ride.

[@MarcusFeltsen]

I just did this on my own fox. Went really smooth by following your video! Thanks! 👑

[@billderas3420]

Very helpful video...as usual. Might want to have nitrile gloves on when using that brake cleaner and isopropyl alcohol.

[@IowaMTB]

Another great video Syd and Mackey! Great explanations. Keep up the good work.

[@felvynalvarez362]

Informative video👍🏻 and nice fox trucker cap hanging behind🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@renatoackermann9]

It has worked perfectly for me 😊 Thanks a lot

[@ChadLudlow]

Looks like I found my next maintenance project! Always on point with the repair tutorials!

[@conman1395]

You can get a strap wrench from Harbor Freight for under $10 to take the can off rather than using your hands. It's actually what I do to keep the shock in the bike before I remove everything

[@g17.____.27]

Very nice video, I feel more confident about doing it myself now, thank you 😊

[@nickjuliette5003]

You’re videos are awesome and I love them. You both explain things so well. Not a mechanic but I can figure things out with your videos!!

[@eriknash8783]

They do make non marring composite seal picks. I'm a Fred Flintstone with tools and will most likely damage every critical surface with a metal pick...

[@michaelscott6731]

Hi Syd, I replaced the seals etc, but a few weeks later it had leaked. I didn't notice any damage or scratched. Any ideas?

[@sydfixesbikes]

How much did it leak? Assuming it wasn't much, most likely that was just a bit of the shock oil from when you did the maintenance. Give it a good wipe down and see if it happens again. If so then it would be a more serious problem that might require sending it in to Fox.

[@betsyvardell7195]

Thanks for another great instructional! I do have a question, though. Can you tell me how to remove the bushing that connects the bottom end of the shock to the frame?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Generally you can remove the bushing using a small flathead screwdriver to pry the outer pieces off and then and then press it out using your hand or a vise plus something like a socket on the other side for it to slide into.

[@betsyvardell7195]

Great! Appreciate the advice -- looking forward to more great videos from you!

[@pgrieger]

Love all you do and post

[@dallasdandigitalproduction393]

Great job to you both. Fascinating to watch

[@pedalwithus]

Thank you for this vid and the parts listing. !!!

[@amotrizjonh]

I have a niner RDO 2018. Congratulation for video. I managed to lubricate the shox fox float. Do you have video with upper link? manutention?

[@lozetchells9164]

Really helpful and good fun, thank you!

[@TheDiablosix6six]

I have a trek fuel ex 9.8 which has treks thru shaft shock and was wondering if there is much difference between the service process??

[@ksor_mtb3359]

Awesome video! You two make it look easy and fun haha. Going to give it a shot on my X2 🙌🏽

[@philippdolder8754]

Love your videos. So I've done the can service a while ago. And for reasons I don't know the dust wiper managed to get out of the shock on a ride. Can someone explain what happened and why? Did I do something wrong in the service? I'm sure I put everything back together the right way. It also only got out after bunch of rides. Any insight would be highly appreciated

[@JamesMTBAdventures]

Great video, it’s one I’ll be saving for when I need to do this.

[@aaron_gifford]

Awesome work as always. Can you zoom into the products you use for just a second longer. Not sure what the blue stuff at the end is called. Thanks.

[@sydfixesbikes]

It's the Float fluid and is included in the air can service kit.

[@chrislilley5320]

Great job Sydney!!

[@lyndawkswks853]

Brilliant! Always wondered if it was a job I could do myself thanks a mil you two 😊🙏

[@smallhatshatethetruth7933]

you should get one of those grippy rubber strap wrenches like they show on GMBN

[@newttella1043]

I just use a square of old tube. Good for opening pickle jars too.

[@bikechiatrist]

Making it smooth and awesome! Great walkthrough. 🤘🏽

[@skt4271able]

float fluid not 20 wt gold? i guess 2cc is not super important since there was no measuring?

[@mattybutler2455]

That process looks literally identical to a rockshox deluxe/super deluxe. ie. Exactly the same seals, and I found that process really easy too...

[@stefanoronchi8728]

Thank you , great video, where I can find seals? The link is no longer available!! Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

[@sydfixesbikes]

Give this a try: bit.ly/3rGVZV7

[@stefanoronchi8728]

Thanks a lot.Found and bought!

[@akshayshetty1863]

Nice information. Love from india ❤️🙏😊

[@loucollazo4931]

I wish I could have seen this video two days ago. I just mailed my shock to be serviced . . . at $175 Now I know!

[@joelrunyan1608]

It helps to cycle the shock as you let the air out gradually to equalize the negative chamber as it gets lower n lower. (Gotta do that on the bike tho

[@johncarrington8612]

Beware, some air cans require oil in the positive and negative chambers. Check fox's website for your can.

[@turbocivic0710]

Use maxima suspension clean works great smells great

[@emanuelpradera9717]

Hi Syd, good tutorial, still a bit scary for me to do it for the first time but I will give it a try,, can I use SRAM butter instead of the honey stuff? Thanks!

[@sydfixesbikes]

I'm not sure but kinda think SRAM butter might just be rebranded slick honey

[@Colbasaurus23]

This is top - confidence booster to give it a go myself instead of taking to the shop!

[@pappi3]

Can you make a video on internal gear hubs?

[@augustmoon0004]

What kind of paper towels are those? No fibers come off??

[@newenglandagingrider1738]

Would a strap wrench have helped Syd with leverage, while putting it back together in the vice? Seems like that would have been less challenging than working on the frame.

[@sydfixesbikes]

Probably but it was actually pretty easy to tighten once I got it back in the frame

[@patchesthejaybird8431]

Haha! Yep, I have wrestled the greased pig while rebuilding my shock. My buddy was watching, and laughed his butt off! In my case I ended up figuring out how to use a socket tool to help get things together... Sometimes I fantasize about just buying a new shock. After biting the bullet, and getting the shock rebuilt, me HAPpY!

[@jeremyemilio9378]

I've had a non boost valve 2014 fox float CJMS coded shock that hasn't been serviced since day 1 since I ride most of the time on the road (due to changed interest to road bikes early in but haven't got the cash for RB so I rode it with slicks with the RB guys) but then again I got it for so cheap that another 2nd working one would cost less

[@dmartinezdl]

This is nice... really good content 👌🏼

[@reeeeeem69420]

any update on the carbon frame professional repair?

[@sydfixesbikes]

We'll be doing a video on that in a few weeks!

[@wheezin_mtnbkr3576]

I cannot figure out why my Float DPS blue firm to soft (3 position) goes “crazy” randomly. At times, often after a ride the switch seems loose, stripped or broken - but its NOT 😅. I eventually just locked it in one position with the set screw on the body of the shock… whatever position would create 20% of sag at my weight.

[@mattchappell8086]

I am trying to service my Fox DCRV rear shock, but the air can refuses to unscrew. It has several years of African dust in the thread! All the air is drained (cycled the shock repeatedly) I have tried putting it in a vice and using rubber gloves for more grip but can't shift it. I have used penetrating oil and even heat from a hair drier (so it's not too hot and damaging seals) but still no joy. I don't want to use a strap wrench as it will dent and wreck the shock. Any suggestions as to how I can unscrew this uncooperative air can?

[@sydfixesbikes]

You could try wrapping a tube around it for better grip. Otherwise the strap wrench is probably your best bet...

[@mmoltich]

Yep, that went more like most of my projects. 😕

[@AndyTheBluesHarp]

Syd, can you please confirm exactly what the air smells like, I know it's not what it sounded like surely?

[@emanuelpradera9717]

A strap wrench is the best tool to open/close the can ;)

[@anthonywelch9605]

Great video as always, but what happened to the sag O ring? I ask because I have managed to re-install several shocks before remembering that I too forgot to put the ring on after doing the service!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, we also forgot it and noticed later 😁

[@eriknash8783]

The reason servicing the Air Can is important, is because the Fox Fluid is consumed throughout the use of the shock. If you go a really long time without service, you can actually open a chock to find a dry can and by that time, your shock will start losing air and the shaft can be damaged.

[@ALONSOULISES85]

Very helpful thank you

[@dalelynn7243]

I actually had my shock serviced by a shop the year before last and since I got it back it won't lock out ? Any idea what they might have done and how I might fix it ? Thanks for the great tutorial. I really appreciate what you do. 😁

[@sydfixesbikes]

Hmm. Unfortunately that sounds like something in the damper which isn't generally serviceable without a bunch of special tools...

[@dalelynn7243]

@@sydfixesbikes thank you..

[@augustmoon0004]

Why use the slick honey when you put the Fox oil provided over it?

[@sydfixesbikes]

The slick honey is to lubricate the seals with a lube that stays longer to keep the seals from drying out. Probably not necessary if you store your bike in a way that keeps the oil on the seals all the time (i.e. hanging from the front wheel).

[@joshmeagher1083]

Great video! My rear shock seems to have "cavitation" going on. Will this fix that?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Unfortunately not. This just changes the lubricating fluid of the shock (the equivalent of a lowers service on a fork). Cavitation is air inside the damper cartridge which requires a full shock rebuild.

[@joshmeagher1083]

@@sydfixesbikes haha. Ok any chance u will do a video on that process 😅 thanks for the reply. Also is there any risk in riding my bike with this happening.

[@sydfixesbikes]

The shock is likely to behave somewhat erratically, so be careful sending it. We talked to Fox about doing a video on it and they basically said "you need too many specialized tools, like a nitrogen machine, for this to make sense for consumers to do themselves" so probably no full rebuild video anytime soon...

[@wiktorwisniewski5748]

Can I reuse last year's seal kit and just clean, replace oil and pump it up??

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, if the seals aren't leaking you can just clean them. It's good to replace the foam o-rings when swapping oil though as it tends to hold onto dirt...

[@roadlesstraveledd]

how to equalize positive and negative air chambers while pressuring it up?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Leave the shock pump attached and compress about the suspension about 25% and you should hear a "psst" as it transfers from the positive to the negative. Repeat until you don't hear the noise then check the air pressure. If it has gone down (it probably will), add air and repeat the process until the air pressure remains where you want it to be. Then remove the shock pump.

[@gabemccoy]

When you say to equalize the positive and negative chambers in the 1 minute summary, do you just mean cycle the shock (bounce on the bike) a couple times? I see another commentor provided that definition WRT can removal, but wanted to confirm. Thanks!

[@sydfixesbikes]

It's more of a consistent pressure on the shock to compress it to about 25%. You can actually hear a little psst as air transfers to the negative chamber and you just want to go back and forth past that point a couple times every 50psi or so and then as you get to your final pressure

[@alwynvanderlinde9507]

7:55 - Macky: "you'll just have slickoleum hands forever, I can think of worse things" You dirty dirty bastard 😉 hehehe

[@vicamaral]

are those vise jaws soft aluminum i hope

[@jfrosty42]

Thanks for this video! Realizing I needed some more shop towels, I tried using your affiliate link but the link is broken. Might be worthwhile to re-link some!

[@sydfixesbikes]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@david029014]

Great video!!! Subscribed

[@sydfixesbikes]

Welcome!

[@NitroGXL]

U don't have any fox float fluid in negative chamber u can put a bit on the stension and when u put can on their is a little in the negative side and full 2cc in positive side

[@NitroGXL]

Good video as well keep them up 👍👍

[@cara-de-otarik]

Great content!! Question, is it ok to bare clamp the vice directly to the shocks like that?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, that part of the shock is generally "clamped" between the linkages anyway. Obviously you don't want to over tighten it, but clamping in the vice shouldn't be a problem.

[@cara-de-otarik]

@@sydfixesbikes thanks soooo much for answering :) And yeahh, that makes total sense!!

[@pokeypaul78]

May I ask how you equalize the chambers when you refill?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Compress the fork or shock about 25% every 20psi or so. If you listen carefully you can usually hear the air equalizing between the positive and negative chambers.

[@pokeypaul78]

Thank you! After scrolling down a while in the comments, another one of the community seemed to imply that.

[@aidanclifford2164]

is there a way to service these without a vice?

[@sydfixesbikes]

I guess you could leave it mounted on your bike and loosen the can then remove the shock and do the rest of the service. Bit of a pain, but should work.

[@ditallow1618]

I love your hair❤😅

[@Minh-HoaTran]

She forgot the ring over the shock at the end! How do you adjust for 25%?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Sharpie. Or you just detach the back of the shock from the frame and pop the o-ring on.

[@South_Van_Ilse_MTB]

Heyyyyy, so i have a 2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude A70, it's only 6 months old but I ride it like someone's going to take it away from me at any given moment! Anywys i think I'm losing air in my Factory Float X2. i went from 230PSI to 160-170 ish in about 2 weeks? is this excessive? any thoughts?

[@sydfixesbikes]

Yeah, definitely shouldn't be losing that much. It is worth noting that when you put the shock pump on, you lose some pressure (it has to fill up the hose of the pump). Figure out how much by pumping up to a certain pressure, removing the pump and putting it back on and checking what the pressure says. Usually it's between 10 and 20 psi that it loses to fill the hose. I'd recommend putting it up to 230 and checking again in a week to see if it's actually losing (and it's not just the hose). If it is losing, it's probably a warranty issue

[@magna116]

recording air pressure is useless if you have a leaky shock. Just do the recommended fill and adjustment procedure after the service.

[@mxgryan]

Stellar

[@chrislaing123]

To funny. Good job Syd

[@morogpstreet2856]

Great job! Other tutorial videos can drive you crazy with the bad angles and horrible music. Pleasant voice!

[@thereignofthezero225]

Every 40 hrs 😄

[@DayInTheLifeOfAl]

Good video but I really wish I knew about the 1 minute tutorial option first, lol.