fork rebuild

[TrailSquirell]

I'm going to rebuild a marzochi drop off 1, slight oil leakage out of the seals. Hopefully it will last till spring, i don't do much ridein in the winter. Any ideas were to start? places to buy rebuild kits? should i just take it to a shop?

2nd, with the screwed over steer tube i have... would it be worth it to send it into manitou? Backup shocks are nice to have ya know.

Thnx much

[Buck]

your going to send a Marz fork into manitou?

[crux]

Would start with Enduro and if you are at all mechanically inclined and have some time on your hands this winter they have realistic breakdown of how to tune your own fork. If you want help cracking it open I have rebuilt several and would not mind taking a look at it for you.

[TrailSquirell]

no, its a manitou black that i need to send in, thats the bad fork, just put the marz on today

[badandyruh]

Would start with Enduro and if you are at all mechanically inclined and have some time on your hands this winter they have realistic breakdown of how to tune your own fork. If you want help cracking it open I have rebuilt several and would not mind taking a look at it for you.



Enduro seals are nice, but I would check with the manufacturer to make sure that does not void their warranty. It's been known to happen

[Mo-Tay]

What about Fox forks? Anyone in town rebuild those? I have a 04 100 RLC fork that I would like to get tuned by a certified shop. Anyone in town do that kind of work? I would love to do it myself, but would be afraid...VERY afraid.

[Magic]

What about Fox forks? Anyone in town rebuild those? I have a 04 100 RLC fork that I would like to get tuned by a certified shop. Anyone in town do that kind of work? I would love to do it myself, but would be afraid...VERY afraid.

Do it yourself, why pay to have someone work on the fork. Can't learn unless you take it apart. Just follow the service manual and all will be fine.

[crux]

What about Fox forks? Anyone in town rebuild those? I have a 04 100 RLC fork that I would like to get tuned by a certified shop. Anyone in town do that kind of work? I would love to do it myself, but would be afraid...VERY afraid.

Fox forks are very straight forward to work on. I would rebuild it your self as the RLC is fairly simple to work on. Once you crack it open you won't be afraid any more.

[bike>>rider]

I'm going to attempt my first fork rebuild this winter using some Enduro seals that I got for my Reba. What's the worst that could happen?? [don't answer]:crazy2:

[Pete Hamer]

Enduro seals are nice, but I would check with the manufacturer to make sure that does not void their warranty. It's been known to happen

That's good advice. I've heard that the Enduro seals wear away the annodizing on the stanchions faster than stock seals. Makes sense seeing how they are a harder material.

[Mo-Tay]

Andrew and Troy...usually that is the school of thought I have but maaaan, if I F up my fork, I would hate to pay for a SERIOUS repair. But from what you are saying, I am going to do that. I just assumed that the fork was something not to be messed with...but now you have me wanting to pull that sucker off now! But, there may be a few more days left to ride so I will wait. Thanks for the info.

Now here is the real question. I have seen those enduro seals, but if they can damage the fork...that is something I dont want. Also, any words of wisdom re: Fox forks?

Thanks again...

[jjrsds]

Most companies have a pretty good instruction manual that you can download and print off to rebuild a fork. It is scary that first time but take your time read the instructions a few times and gather all items to rebuild the fork. I have changed seals, fluid and changed the the travel on my 02 fox Fork 80mm to 100 mm 3 or 4 times without any problems at all. If you run into a snag post up, there are a few great suspension gurus to help out (Tyson, Pete).

[crux]

Andrew and Troy...usually that is the school of thought I have but maaaan, if I F up my fork, I would hate to pay for a SERIOUS repair. But from what you are saying, I am going to do that. I just assumed that the fork was something not to be messed with...but now you have me wanting to pull that sucker off now! But, there may be a few more days left to ride so I will wait. Thanks for the info.

Now here is the real question. I have seen those enduro seals, but if they can damage the fork...that is something I dont want. Also, any words of wisdom re: Fox forks?

Thanks again...

If your worried about cracking it open I'd be glad to help. Have replaced several seals (With Enduros or OEM) on Fox, Marz and a RS fork over the past year and there are a few little tricks that I've picked up in the process, along with building a few custom tools to ease install. Let me know if you are looking at getting some stuff from Enduro as I'm putting in an order with them right after the holidays.

[Mo-Tay]

http://www.enduroforkseals.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/f100x6a.pdf

Here is a document that gives you a walk-thru. Andrew, I too am looking at getting some seals, a new fork seal kit, oil, and Enduro Max bearings for my suspension. This company listed above has all the stuff. Where do you get your stuff? I would be interested if you have another source.

[Mo-Tay]

Also, thanks for the offer to help and the encouragement to just pull it apart. I love working on my bike almost as much as riding it. I have a nice little area with a growing lot of bike (Park of course) tools. I love the off-season as it gives me a chance to tear everything down, clean it up, replace stuff, and put it back together. Fun stuff!

[badandyruh]

I'm going to attempt my first fork rebuild this winter using some Enduro seals that I got for my Reba. What's the worst that could happen?? [don't answer]:crazy2:


i know it says doen't answer, however.....refering to my earlier post, I know for a FACT that if you install those enduro seals on Rock Shox forks your warranty is void.

[tedsti]

The way I see it, if the fork is under warranty, then the manufacturer should be replacing the seals for you free of charge. Some people cannot afford the downtime of replacing seals every other month (Fox) and just go straight for Enduros, warranty be damned

[bike>>rider]

i know it says doen't answer, however.....refering to my earlier post, I know for a FACT that if you install those enduro seals on Rock Shox forks your warranty is void.

The fork is 2 yrs old, so the warranty is probably expired already anyway.

[dvo1]

I like Mazocchi forks, just simple motorcycle style dampener designs. The 66 series can be made into any travel. And Marzocchi keeps there parts available years later.

[badandyruh]

Kur+ and Ted, I agree with you both. Replacing seals that often obviously means something is wrong with the seals. How are they being installed? Any nicks on the stanchions? Also if your fork is out of the manufacturer's warranty then that is a different story. I just wanted to throw out that fact about manufacturer's take on Enduro seals.

[Shockspital]

Rebuilding forks isn't rocket science for sure, but experience does count. I can bake bread; but my mom still does it better than me and we use the same recipe. But she is a terrible mechanic.
I personally would only use Enduro Seals if I needed seals and that was all that was available. They work ok, but there is no reason to stray from the stock seals.
You can do an overhaul yourself, I would recommend you didn't, I will tell you why;
1. I am so close and friendly...
2. Manitou’s have a lot of issues, I would bet money that after you open it up you will hate yourself for at least an hour; then you will need to buy more parts.
3. Manitou does not provide very consumer friendly documentation.
4. The mess, most of the time working on a fork at home means an equal measure of repair time to an equal measure of clean up time. I am very good at containing the mess because I have done it a million times.
5. The environment is another reason. I dispose of the magic toxic fluids the fork is filled with properly.
6. Most things I have repaired have gotten the response, "Wow, it feels better than when it was new!”
7. I am insured; if you mess something up and get hurt it's on your dime.
If you haven't done anything yet drop me a line or give me a call. It’s a good time of year because parts are in stock and the waiting list for repairs is short.


Hope this helps,
B Rose
info@shockspital.com
952.240.9158
www.shockspital.com (http://www.shockspital.com)

[TrailSquirell]

I have a guy that will do it for free localy and will teach me how to do it. I'm sure you can do a good job, yet your 2 hours away. Kinda tight with gas right now...

[Ala Carte]

You could mail it in for way less than gas would cost.

[Pete Hamer]

B. Rose is the man when it comes to suspension service. If you use his service you won't be dissapointed.

[TrailSquirell]

i'm still thinkin about it, but we'll see, the bike will be down at ride the sky since i'm in it! woot!

[toyota200x]

Reading all this makes me feel a little better about tearing a fork apart. I always thought it was a NO NO zone, but when the day comes I think I will try it.

[4Screws]

I need a beer... too much suspension talk...

[Shockspital]

Using Enduro seals will void most warranties (I don't actually know any warranties it won't void). Overall Enduro seals are years behind in technology compared to what is being offered by fork companies as stock equipment.
1. Garter springs rule the day, the only reason a company would not use them would be to skirt around cost or patent issues, in my opinion.
Enduro seals don't use garter spring on their wiper seals.
2. No seal eliminates routine maintenance. Stock seals are way more than adequate at sealing your fork.
3. Enduro seals DEFINATELY raise the amount of stiction in your fork (that's bad).
4. Enduro seals do look better because they are blue.

I have friends at Enduro, I use their tools and have used their products for a long time, but their seals are not where it's at.

[badandyruh]

Using Enduro seals will void most warranties (I don't actually know any warranties it won't void). Overall Enduro seals are years behind in technology compared to what is being offered by fork companies as stock equipment.
1. Garter springs rule the day, the only reason a company would not use them would be to skirt around cost or patent issues, in my opinion.
Enduro seals don't use garter spring on their wiper seals.
2. No seal eliminates routine maintenance. Stock seals are way more than adequate at sealing your fork.
3. Enduro seals DEFINATELY raise the amount of stiction in your fork (that's bad).
4. Enduro seals do look better because they are blue.

I have friends at Enduro, I use their tools and have used their products for a long time, but their seals are not where it's at.


I agree!! Stock seals do the job if installed properly and the fork is working properly.