My 98 Judy XC needs work.

[manual63]

Does anyone know how to fix or replace the cartrige in these? I like the fork, but the XX-Loop has made it way too soft now. It feels kind of loose and needs to be reworked. I would like it to be a little stiffer than it is now.

[SuperClydesdale]

Shad

You may want to consider rebuilding your Judy with some Total Air (http://www.ekosport.com/ta_intro.shtml) inserts. I have been running them for a couple o' years now.

Mark

[manual63]

Originally posted by SuperClydesdale
Shad

You may want to consider rebuilding your Judy with some Total Air (http://www.ekosport.com/ta_intro.shtml) inserts. I have been running them for a couple o' years now.

Mark

I am currently on a real tight budget. $100.00 is a little steep for me right now and I am looking for the cheap route.

My wife and I are in school and she is not working......tough times, but well worth it in the future......I hope.

[Kingbozo]

It isn't on your Specialized is it? I've got a 95 Judy (I think) on my Hardtail, the cartridge is shot. I think that was the third one I had in there.

I don't think the cartridge would have any affect on stiffness, that would be the bushings. (I think) The cartridge (at least in mine) was for rebound damping.

Had they switched to the spring/elastomer combo by 98? Mine initially came with all elastomers which I replaced with a set of speed springs. Your elastomers may be worn out-Who knows? Anyone...Bueller?

[manual63]

Originally posted by Kingbozo
It isn't on your Specialized is it? I've got a 95 Judy (I think) on my Hardtail, the cartridge is shot. I think that was the third one I had in there.

I don't think the cartridge would have any affect on stiffness, that would be the bushings. (I think) The cartridge (at least in mine) was for rebound damping.

Had they switched to the spring/elastomer combo by 98? Mine initially came with all elastomers which I replaced with a set of speed springs. Your elastomers may be worn out-Who knows? Anyone...Bueller?

I don't know much about suspension forks. I have no clue what's in there and I have never taken a fork apart. I have done just about everything, but I have no suspension fork experience........that is why I posted here, some of you are fork savy........:).

[Kingbozo]

Found this one reference to a 98 Judy on the Rock Shox FAQ-

I have a 98 Judy XC...the kit I am looking for is not listed in the 2003 Spare Parts Catalog. Is there a kit available that will fit my fork?
Most likely, no. RockShox supports product for 3 years only, unless there is a kit that will retrofit. Older kits are therefore no longer manufactured. However, there may be a kit which will retrofit into your older fork. For example, 2003 Pilot Lower Leg assemblies will work on your 98 Judy XC. Consult the RockShox Spare Parts Catalogs or contact your local dealer with questions.

[Ish]

I had a 98 Judy XC a while back. I seem to remember it having springs. You could try adjusting the preload to stiffen it up - but that might make it to harsh on small hits.

Here is a good site: http://www.angryasian.com/
Click on the fork maintance section and choose your fork. He has instructions for tuning and maintance.

[sidxc]

It has a coil spring in each side that sits in an open oil bath. Very simple and easy to rebuild. ok, the bad news Rock Shox was sold to Sram so every thing befor 2001 they dont make parts for. You may be able to find some speed springs, or total air does work well. I've installed about a dozen of them in forks, ranging from judys to sids. Ill look in the box oh springs at the shop and se if we got any firm springs laying around. Does the fork have play or just mushy? :geek:

[SickBoy]

I have a set of Total air's sitting in a 98 SID that I could sell ya. they are almost new (as in used for like seven or eight rides only).

They should fit in your Judy but they are the 72 MM models, so it'll shorten the travel if it's a 80 MM fork.

[Kingbozo]

Originally posted by Crash
I had a 98 Judy XC a while back. I seem to remember it having springs. You could try adjusting the preload to stiffen it up - but that might make it to harsh on small hits.

Here is a good site: http://www.angryasian.com/
Click on the fork maintance section and choose your fork. He has instructions for tuning and maintance.

Cool site!

[manual63]

Originally posted by sidxc
It has a coil spring in each side that sits in an open oil bath. Very simple and easy to rebuild. ok, the bad news Rock Shox was sold to Sram so every thing befor 2001 they dont make parts for. You may be able to find some speed springs, or total air does work well. I've installed about a dozen of them in forks, ranging from judys to sids. Ill look in the box oh springs at the shop and se if we got any firm springs laying around. Does the fork have play or just mushy? :geek:

It's mushy and if you mean play as in it feels like a loose headset, then yes, a little.

[manual63]

Originally posted by SickBoy
I have a set of Total air's sitting in a 98 SID that I could sell ya. they are almost new (as in used for like seven or eight rides only).

They should fit in your Judy but they are the 72 MM models, so it'll shorten the travel if it's a 80 MM fork.

I don't really want less travel. I think I will go with the stiffer spring idea that sidxc mentioned. If he has some laying around the shop, that might so the trick and allow me to stay within my cheap budget.

I guess I look at it this way. If I am gonna spend $100.00 or more to rebuild my fork or upgrade some internals, I might as well just look into getting a new fork. For now, I will just fix mine somehow.

[Kingbozo]

Originally posted by manual63
It's mushy and if you mean play as in it feels like a loose headset, then yes, a little.

That sounds like the bushings.

[mtnbykr]

or just a pos 5 year old judy....

k

[sidxc]

Ok no luck in the shop.:( QBP aint got nothing but total air, Rock Shox, AKA Sram told me they cant help if its older then 2001. They sold all the old parts inventory to BTI " anouthe QBP type warehouse, and they are out of any firm springs. More sarcastic bad news.... called MRP the new owner of Mountain Speed and they only make rear shock springs now....sheesh. If your fork has play in it it probably is that the bushings are warn from all that damn jumping ;) Tried all the online sources i know and no luck i did find some extra soft ones. heh HAte to say it but mtbbykr said it first "5 year old judy". The good news is its fall and every One has there forks on closeout :D cheapest time to upgrade! The spring u are looking for should be 7" long and color coded black<---- just guessing i havent seen your fork of course.

[Dr. Guitar]

New fork time.

I had a ~96 Judy XC. When it was at rest, there was a small amount of play (like a loose headset). There is more to fix than what an air upgrade, or replacement cartrage will do. And Rock Shox has a 3 years and out policy. No new parts for anything older than 3 years. Buy a used fork online.

[SickBoy]

Yah, what they said.

Manitou Skareb Comp Coil - $200 from Performance. Can't beat that.

And I'll also add that if you're noticing signifcant play in the stanchion/slider assembly, you probably should have replaced the bushings in the fork about 2-3 years ago...

"Stiffening up spring rate" and "reducing/stiffening up fork flex/play" are two entirely different things.

[zerpy]

It looks like all your "good" options are out of your budget.

I'd say keep an eye out for a used fork or a real cheapy. I noticed on JensonUSA's website they have a Manitou six super 100 for 65 bucks. Piece of crap fork I suppose (don't know much about them) but it's probably better than a broken fork.

The other option is to save your pennies all winter and get a decent fork in the spring, or close to the spring before the prices go nuts. I'm kinda doing that with my wheels and driveline. I need a new chain and my rear derailleur is kinda screwy and my read wheel is fscked up. I'm just going to save my pennies this winter and get some wheels (or hopefully build them in Douglas' wheel building class) that are disc compatible and get LX or XT rear derailleur and cassette, chain and shifters (as I will be "upgrading" to 9 speed). It's a lot to bite off at first, but I think it'll be much better in the long run and I have all winter to save those pennies.

You might be able to find a used fork real cheap, but I'd question how good it is internal. Are you really just getting yourself into another maintenance prob? Could be a tough call I guess.

[Kingbozo]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3628778339&category=36135

Rock Shox Judy TT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3629470587&category=36135

Psylo XC (much better than the Judy)

I'm guessing that this is for your old bike, correct? If it is, make sure that if you go the used route (which I would be somewhat leary of with a fork) that you don't get stuck with a disc brake only fork-assuming your old bike has rim brakes of course ;)

Don't feel too bad, the fork I "want" is over $500. That isn't going to happen anytime soon:mad:

[noise_is_life]

You could get a Surly 1x1 rigid fork for $70 (As reviewed in the latest Dirt Rag). There's even one on ebay right now that's currently at $45.

[manual63]

Hmmmm, you know, I've been through this sort of thing before and found out it was cheaper to get a new bike, maybe not cheaper up front, but in the long run. I have to replace the rear rim, fork, and was even thinking about a longer frame since I put a short stem on it. Ugghhh! Oh well, I tried.