Tear Down of a DVO Topaz | Butter Suspension

[@shuntavii]

Great video! Where would one find that ‘fancy’ schrader pulling tool?

[@ButterSuspension]

Thanks! It's an old Marzocchi tool from 30 years ago, so probably eBay? Shock pump works too...

[@joshtucker9562]

Where did you get that fancy shrader tool? DVO shows the same looking one in their service manual and I can't seem to find it in my numerous google searches.

[@ButterSuspension]

It's from an OLD Marzocchi tool kit; I got mine from a buddy that gifted me the kit. Ronnie, the guy in the DVO video, worked at Marzocchi USA back in the day. It's a neat tool but a shock pump works pretty well too...

[@joshtucker9562]

​@@ButterSuspensionappreciate the feedback. Wasn't sure how much effort was required to yank it out.

[@AlexLogan-jp3fr]

Are you going to do a service video for the new Gen 3 Topaz?

[@ButterSuspension]

Haven't had one come through in a while...

[@mattiparviainen]

Is your sink separated from sewer system, or are you throwing all waste oil directly out to the sewer?

[@ButterSuspension]

It drains into a bucket below that I take to a recycler. I don't have any illusions about saving the planet but I'm not a monster 😂

[@mattiparviainen]

@@ButterSuspension nice 👍 Not many explain this, and since America has those fingercutters in their plumbing to discard anything smaller than mid-size dogs, you never know 😆

[@keithrice2193]

​@@mattiparviainenI saved so much American denaro by using my midsized dog pulverizer! 'Merica! Thank you for the wonderful comment! God bless!

[@alexlogan9279]

Is it the same process for the shock that's in the thumb nail?

[@ButterSuspension]

Great question, I just rebuilt one of those today! Effectively the same procedure but there's definitely some differences since the compression adjustment circuit is in a different spot. I believe there's a different service page for these...

[@austinsteiner5822]

Greg have you done a topaz 3? Any thoughts on those?

[@ButterSuspension]

Only seen one of those through the shop. Definitely improved over the first gen stuff, I think all rear shocks should have stronger damper shafts! The reservoir position is a little trickier to work on but it fits more bikes/frame sizes.

[@bputerbaugh9708]

Who makes those locking pliers?

[@ButterSuspension]

Knipex!

[@boydcombsakaGster]

Well done video. I have re-built two DVO Topaz shocks. Your process was very helpful to see, and it gave me some ideas to help improve my process. Thank you.

[@ButterSuspension]

You're welcome!

[@michagrenda6864]

Hello, great video! My seal under rebound knob blown up somehow. On your video I see that two last seals (the nearests ones to the dial knob) on rebound shaft looks the same. There is a chance to put here diameters of those seals ? There is no chance to buy whole DVO set - out of stock everywhere - I need a replacment of those seals. Thank you in advance !

[@ButterSuspension]

Let me pull this one apart, see what they are (and if they're the same as the Monarch Plus...)

[@michagrenda6864]

​@@ButterSuspension Thx ! Rght now I'm stuck on part when we remove damper seal head, for unknown reasons I cant unscrew it :( I put here much more power than you on this video, but still can't move it :(

[@austinsteiner5822]

Can you do a custom tune on these?

[@ButterSuspension]

I can change tunes with help from the folks at DVO but I don't do custom tuning.

[@Phlizz]

Great tutorial. Quick question: Can I change length/travel by just changing the damper body? I have the Topaz in 200x57 and would love to keep using it on my new frame (210x55).

[@ButterSuspension]

Great question! Unfortunately, no. First up, 200x57 is just a millimeter measurement for an older "imperial" size, 7.87x2.25. 210x55 is one of the new "Metric" sizes; keep in mind that even though they are called out in millimeters, "Metric" sized shocks are just a marketing device to differentiate some new sizes sold to OEM's. What a mess. Also, to change travel on your older shock you'd also need to change the damper shaft as well, but then your overall eye to eye would also be shorter than what you need.

[@Phlizz]

@@ButterSuspension thanks for the great explanation! I’ll then get a fitting Topaz 2, as I understand these „metric“ models come with a slightly different design and some tweaks 👍

[@Fbjorn1867]

I like your video, very detailed! I have a Topaz T3 that´s losing pressure from the main chamber when riding. Prob 20-30 psi during a half hour ride. Curiously only when riding. When sitting it keeps pressure just fine. Couldn't see any bubbles under water either. Any ideas what would likely cause this behaviour?

[@ButterSuspension]

How many hours since the last air can seal replacement? They wear out with time... I'd also look for any nicks or scratches on the damper body...

[@Fbjorn1867]

@@ButterSuspension I actually don't know as I bought it 2nd hand. Seller told me It was leaking and I got it for a great price. So now I got to figure out how to fix it.

[@ButterSuspension]

Once you have a used shock with unknown service history or ride time, I just assume it needs a full rebuild.

[@Fbjorn1867]

@@ButterSuspension Makes sense! Cheers

[@michaelrosenberger6418]

Is the tear down of the rebound knob the same as the monarch plus? I’m getting no rebound adjustments on mine. Its fast on every setting.

[@ButterSuspension]

It's similar but not exactly the same and DVO doesn't include any seals for the very inside of the assembly. I'd check to make sure the main piston shims are in the correct orientation too...

[@RyanKitchen]

The maestro at work!

[@keithrice2193]

You are incredibly talented in tear down, and i assume rebuild. Can you take an extra muinte or two show all of the processes in detail. Dvo is a smaller brand and could use your talent for how to's on a full service to these amazing products. Thank you from a fan who truly appreciate's your time and skill.

[@ButterSuspension]

Thanks! I have a big list of videos planned, but it's always second fiddle to keeping the shop running... Hoping to change that for next year.

[@frankthetankricard]

This shock looks pretty nice to work on. I own a Fox CTD shock and as I understand the 500psi nitrogen fill is required so that the oil doesn't foam when it moves through the damper. Does the 170-200 psi air filled bladder serve the same purpose on these shocks or is it a completely different thing? The fact that I can rebuild it at home without a nitrogen tank is great and I'm really tempted to try one of these shocks in the future.

[@ButterSuspension]

It's more about the tools required to fill to 500psi since Fox uses a rubber plug that needs to be pierced with a needle. The DVO (and some other Fox models) uses a standard schrader valve to fill, so it's way less "tool intensive" to rebuild.

[@colboyhell]

Damn, main damper seal head will not budge!!! Glued on there hahaha

[@ButterSuspension]

Sometimes you really gotta WANT it!

[@JasonNosajasoNosaj]

Im struggling to take my off as well. Tried the vice and adjustable wrench. Tried wrench and screwdriver in the eylet to be able to twist with both hands doubling torque. What worked for you?

[@slydezero]

Nice video, i'm going to ask my question here just in case, I have a loss of pressure at the bladder level (impossible to have more than 50 psi) I have emptied the air at the body and bladder level, but impossible to push the green cap by hand. It is as if there is still pressure behind the bladder valve even though it is empty and I have removed both valves. Any ideas?

[@ButterSuspension]

How many hours on the shock? It's possible the oil is gassed (and therefore pressurized) to the point that you can't push the reservoir cap in. If that's the case, it's time for a full rebuild, that should be done once a year.

[@slydezero]

It is less than a year old. But I see that it's quite common to have problems with the bladder so I'll look into that.

[@t_cadventure9561]

Awesome Video dude! I'd love to see you pull apart a SR Suntour TRIAIR rear shock.

[@ButterSuspension]

Thanks! I have yet to see any SR Suntour shocks come through the shop, and it's been about 5 years since I started the brand. But you never know!

[@CoreyVisto]

Can you do a full rear down/rebuild of a DVO diamond !

[@ButterSuspension]

Next time one comes through, you bet.

[@tytanjan]

Download latest RS spare catalog (rev. M) You'll find RS added a bunch of part numbers for eyelets and shafts, even for the older Monarchs. We'll see if they will ever be available :)

[@99AllisWell]

please do diamond d1, or jade x.

[@JasonNosajasoNosaj]

The video thumbnail image is a bit deceptive, showing a different model

[@ButterSuspension]

My producer is a bicycle enthusiast but not a technician like me. Thanks for the heads up!