2018 Fox Float DPS Evol Rear Shock Sleeve Service

Fox recommends air sleeve service every 40 hours on their DPS rear shocks. A couple of struggles along the way but nothing bad. The second time will be easy. The bike is a 2018 Diamondback Release 4c.
Fox DPS service kit: amzn.to/2ZdZg0C
For front suspension:
Fox 20w oil: amzn.to/2LxPxKm
Fox 5w oil: amzn.to/2yfbGu2
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[@joshtinkering]

For the tricky part: found it easier to use a metal pick (I bent a paperclip into a tiny hook with needle nose pliers) to remove the rubber seal, before removing the white washers after that, carefully, with tweezers. I couldn't do it with a wooden skewer; that kept breaking. Thanks for the video!

[@TonyHob]

Good tip! I didn’t think about using tweezers 👍

[@robertcarbonneau4072]

Great job on the video! One of the best explanations on how to perform this relatively simple but confusing maintenance. Thank you.

[@Pewter98]

Thank you for making this video! It's definitely made me confident that my Fix Float DPS EVOL service can be a DYI project. 🚴‍♂️

[@jrockthecasbah]

Thank you Tony, was able to do my 1st rebuild/service today! I had a hard time pushing the can back into the threads after filling it up w/ 2ml of fluid so I just screwed it back into the bike to get more leverage. Other thing that worked for me was when I put the last white plastic ring in I just inserted the part that I slightly curved into the groove above the rubber washer. Then I just used my thumb to continue pushing the rest of the washer into the groove. Hope that makes sense.

[@ruknight4ever]

Very fine job on the video. I always thought this was a much more difficult / precise job than it is. O ring replacements and patience! Thank you for taking the time to make the video.

[@sic04250f]

Thanks for this upload. My jam2 has the same shock, so I'll attempt this service myself when the time comes.

[@robngoma]

Have the same shock that needs service.Thanks for posting!

[@richardplastino792]

Some tips on the new type DPS shock with an air chamber in the cap. Mine is 0.8 cubic inches in size and totally obscures any view of the O ring in the cap. You must take an "L" shaped metal tool of some kind and jerk the plastic air chamber down the shaft It can be removed from the shaft since it has a gap in it and you can put in a different sized air chamber, but I don't know why.. Then you can see and remove the O ring at the very top of cap of the shock. The air chamber has a small plastic washer that goes below it so you snap the air chamber on the shaft above the plastic washer. Boy Howdy, things have changed since I last did this on my older bike!

[@ccorrales06]

Thank you so much, you make it look very easy. I will be doing this soon to get my bike ready for spring time

[@doddyyohani1038]

Thank for the video,, you doing it great, whitout special tools,, 👍❤️

[@JordonRenn93]

Slickoleum is slick honey, I'm production lead for snow shocks at their MN location and that's exactly what we use.

[@g.fortin3228]

Thanks for this video.. nice and detailed on the re-assembly and re-install .

[@rockybutler]

just rebuilt my shock according to your instructions, thanks

[@TonyHob]

Glad it helped 👍

[@scottg9229]

Wow what a great video! Thank you! Fantastic job that will help me a ton while doing my own

[@don-kv3eu]

thanks for the info! i blew out my shock today. btw the white rings are o-ring back-ups

[@Johndolk]

Easy to understand. Big help. Thank you

[@jamiedavis7980]

Will be back tomorrow to try follow you step by step and hopefully get it righ😂

[@TonyHob]

You got this 👍

[@jamiedavis7980]

@@TonyHob just finished now job done,, giving it a good wash now to show it some love 🤣

[@Perception_]

Seems pretty straight forward.

[@TonyHob]

It is!

[@Topspinwinner]

Great video! Just wish I would of seen this before taking my bike to my local bike shop. They still have my bike(3 weeks and they shipped the shock out) it will cost me at least $160.

[@CJinsoo]

thanks for such a detailed video-going to try it. also, your bike looks immaculate

[@TonyHob]

Thanks, I enjoy working on my bike almost as much as I enjoy riding it 😁 I also like to do trail work whenever I get the chance

[@CJinsoo]

I should have waited until I looked up my shock before posting. I have Fox Float Factory Evol DPS, Kashima coated. From the Fox site the seal kit has different part number and different seals than the basic Float seal kit from Jenson. when I looked at Fox posted steps on seal replacement it is a lot more involved than the basic seal kit work. After looking at the Fox instructions I am likely taking it to a shop now.

[@TonyHob]

Good to know. I thought the only difference was the Kashima coating

[@TonyHob]

So I was searching and it looks like the design changed in 2017, mine is a 2018 and the 2018 Factory looks just like it. The 2015 has an extra removable outer sleeve.

[@CJinsoo]

@@TonyHob Yeah, I’ll have to go over the Fox instructions in more detail, as it may be that what Fox has posted is the most thorough approach that only the person with special tools can do?

[@davib7534]

Awesome video, thx! Is this pretty much the same procedure for a 2018 Fox DPS float shock?

[@TonyHob]

I believe so

[@p0mm3srud1]

Thank you very much dude!

[@maxgretschmann689]

Pretty sweet video, thank you for sharing 👍🏻

[@TonyHob]

Thanks for watching!

[@mirceaZC32S]

Hello, nice video you just made me think this is so easy, a little question, what if i put the whole float oil ? Is it bad ?

[@TonyHob]

I would use the recommended amount

[@matthausfrick5971]

great video! how did you determine that you had to change the seals?

[@TonyHob]

Fox recommends service at least every 100 hours or once a year, whichever comes first. This one was way overdue. They actually recommend you service the DPS chamber every 30 hrs!

[@wirpor]

great video, thanks

[@TonyHob]

Glad it helped 👍

[@RenegadesOfPunkQH]

What is the part number for the rebuild kit? Thanks for the video!

[@loft4me]

Tony, in your experience, can my DPS be pumped to mimic a locked out situation? I was considering deleting the remote lock out lever and cabling, and just have it permanently unlocked but pressurized to mimic a hardtail. I only weigh 125 pounds.

[@TonyHob]

You might be able to do it since you are light, as long as you don’t go over the max psi (350 psi for the DPS Evol). I just lock mine out so I have not tried it.

[@loft4me]

@@TonyHob Okay, thank you.

[@kylenguyen8793]

Thanks for the video. I didn't see you used neither of the 20w nor 5w oil referenced in the description in the video. When and where do you apply those? Is the oil came with the kit sufficient for the job?

[@TonyHob]

The 20 and 5w oil is used in the front suspension fork. The oil in the kit is all you need for the rear shock

[@iVoztutorial]

@@TonyHob i see also that you used just a little part of that oil. The rest of it, can be used next time, maybe after 1 year, or it doesn't resist once opened?

[@TonyHob]

I saved the rest. It should be good

[@iVoztutorial]

@@TonyHob ok thank. In few days i'll do the service on my shock 🙂 thank for your video

[@sabrinazack8138]

Followed your instructions. Awesome video thank you! 🙏🏼 I ran into an issue tho… when I pumped the shock back up and did the 30% sag to let the air equalize, it let out some air, but then makes a little crunching sort of gritty air bubble noise? Is this normal? I let out all of the air, re-pumped it up and it makes a gritty air bubble kind of noise at 30% sag. Do you have any suggestions? Is it okay to leave alone?

[@TonyHob]

It’s probably fine. You can try letting air out to about 50 psi then compress and decompress the suspension (cycle it) through 20% of its travel around 10 times. Then pump it up to 30% sag and see if it helps

[@Dempsey222]

Tony can you only put in one volume spacer are can you put in a few? The kit online comes with 4 pieces all different sizes.

[@TonyHob]

Only one at a time. The kit allows you to try different ones. You can also change them out for different type trails if you want.

[@Dempsey222]

@@TonyHob Thanks I just want to make the shock stiff. It flexes a lot because I am over 200 pounds.

[@mymorristribe]

Cool! Thanks. I have that exact bike so this tutorial is perfect.

[@bitumen83]

Is it necessary to change those rubber seals and parts during regular service? Or is it ok to just clean those parts, lubricate them and put them back?

[@TonyHob]

The seals wear out so it is best to change them while you are at it. The kit is only around $20 though I will admit it is tedious to change them. If you have no leaks you could probably get away with cleaning it out, replacing the float oil and wait another season.

[@bitumen83]

Ty for your help! 👍

[@Blunty_]

Hey mate, I have the same shock, but I let the air out really fast, and now I cannot get the body back up to screw back on. Cheers.

[@TonyHob]

Try installing the shock back on the bike with the sleeve already slid onto the shaft, then have someone compress the suspension while you screw the sleeve back on

[@Elbow_Grease]

You have to take it out of stuck down mode. The fox site has a step by step guide on how to fix that

[@DanielRodriguez-ev7pq]

I had a bike shop place a 0.8 volume spacer in the shock today. Now the blue lever goes way past the open position. Any idea what would cause the lever to be out of position ? The medium and open position feel the same.

[@TonyHob]

Not sure what could have happened other than the not going through the proper air bleed procedure. I would definitely take it back to the shop

[@Voider222]

What is torque setting for top shock mount? Thanks.

[@TonyHob]

8 Nm

[@trancenation]

what does the black o ring do when installed on the shaft? it appears that it's movable?

[@TonyHob]

It shows travel so you can measure sag

[@Hawlkeye-e9p]

Cant get the body back up to screw it on. What am i missing. Should not be that hard.

[@TonyHob]

Try installing the shock back on the bike with the sleeve already slid onto the shaft, then have someone compress the suspension while you screw the sleeve back on. The shock will still have significant resistance when putting the sleeve back on.

[@explanation515]

Hello does the fox seals work for every shock mine is FOX Racing Performance Float DPS air shock with rebound adjust and lockout.

[@TonyHob]

The kit says it is for all Fox DPS rear shocks. Double check on the Fox web site but I am pretty sure that this kit will work.

[@matthewbentham7144]

Hi guys, do you have the part number of the service kit you used for shock? TIA

[@TonyHob]

@@matthewbentham7144 a little late but I added a link to the description. amzn.to/2ZdZg0C

[@vsan5135]

Have you ever had a clicking sound when compressing your Fox Float shock?

[@TonyHob]

On the bike yes, it comes from the mounting hardware. Remove the shock and lightly grease the pivots. Sometimes you have to service all the pivots on the suspension.

[@chrisbell7115]

I have this problem too, the bearings, fitting hardware have all been replaced and still making the same noise. Checked all fittings are correctly torqued. Any ideas what else might cause it?

[@JUNJUN-lw2vr]

@@TonyHob I have the same creaking noise. Drives you bonkers.

[@TonyHob]

@@JUNJUN-lw2vr is it the same bike?

[@republicofvegans712]

Can I use lithium grease?

[@TonyHob]

I would stick to what Fox recommends

[@richardplastino792]

And finally, nylon picks are worthless for taking out the plastic and rubber rings. I tried them and they are not sharp enough and bend too easily. Just use a metal pick and be very very very careful.

[@xebapro]

And damper oil?

[@TonyHob]

The only oil it uses is what’s included and shown in the video

[@jamble7k]

those white seals on the can are so annoying, did mine last year and dreading doing it again 😂

[@TonyHob]

They are a pain!

[@explanation515]

Hi i have one more question the lever is loose to the fox float dps shock what do i do do you have any ideas?

[@TonyHob]

I think it’s normal. Mine is very loose when in the locked position and feels better in the open.

[@joeycottontail943]

Looks like too much fiddle farting Going with a new one.

[@TonyHob]

You get your car serviced at the dealership don’t you 😂 j/k

[@joeycottontail943]

@@TonyHob Dealership yuck. Just installed a new power steering pump and Hydroboost in my Tahoe and I’m throwing in towel on working on the Motoped. DNM rear shock I found for $100 slides right in and should work for a few years like the original DNM. Good video and maybe someday I’ll be up for the rebuild.

[@ryanhart8515]

Im sooo glad i dont have suspension on any of my bikes. As a long time bike tech, i can tell you, proprietary parts are stress inducing. Funny, suspension is not even essential for bicycles. Only service suspension for customer bikes. Wont be caught in my casket with this crap on my bikes.

[@TonyHob]

My first MTB in 1992 was a fully rigid Cro-Mo Peugeot with Shimano DX components. Rigid frame, rigid fork. Loved that bike. At 56 years old I can now appreciate a good suspension in rocky root filled terrain. Hopefully I'll continue to MTBike well into my 70's. Might have to get an e-bike by then though, LOL!

[@richardplastino792]

It's just not possible to ride many trails in Colorado after erosion and trail wear have made the trail very rocky and rough. It some places, trails are like riding up the middle of a streambed. Not only would it be extremely uncomfortable on a hard tail bike, but control of a bike would be severely compromised. Once I was following a hard tail up a rocky path and his rear tire was off the ground bouncing in the air about 50% of the time. It is a pain to replace the seals in a rear shock, but it's something that's doable by a home mechanic. The front forks are another issue; those go back to Fox or a local shop for service. But by gosh, to each his own. That's what is great about mountain biking!