Help, stuck down shock

[catoctinkid]

I have a relatively new fox float rpl, bought the bike in Sept. 07, that is stuck down. Talking to the local shops wasn't much help, one, which is supposedly a Fox authorized service center, said they didn't know how to fix it ! They would send it back to Fox and who knows when I would get it back. The other, where I bought the bike, didn't seem to have a clue as to what to do.
I have ordered a rebuild kit from Fox and will do it myself if necessary. It should be covered under warranty, but I enjoy working on my bike no matter what the problem may be, I just to get back in the saddle! I have found info on the Fox web site on rebuilding the shock, ie new seals etc., but not a lot of info on stuck down shocks. Is replacing seals etc. going to correct the problem ? It seems to me that there must be a stuck valve, not a problem with the seals and O rings. Also, what caused it to become stuck down in the first place ? I check the presure regularly and I do not ride the bike hard.
I can fix just about anything on the trail but this ruined my day last Sunday at Elizabeth Furnace ( it was a beautiful day wasn't it ? ).
Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

[jabberwocky]

I would start by calling Fox directly. Their service number is on their website. Fox generally has anyone needing service send their shock in, but they might be willing to send you the parts or walk you through the service on the phone.

My experience with Fox is that their turnaround time is around a week. I've sent stuff to them twice for warranty service.

[saxman]

Is this a front or rear shock? By being stuck in "down", I'm assuming you mean compressed? Have you tried to increase the air pressure in the shock to the maximum psi allowed by the factory get it unstuck? It would seem that there is going to be some point where the force of the air pressure will get the shock to rebound. If the shock is not holding air then that could be your problem...at least you will know where to look. If the shock is holding air and the increase in pressure doesn't unstick it, you might have a bent stanchion (Front?) or piston (rear?), or it's an internal problem.

[akern2]

I've heard alot about the "stuck down" situation that some of the Fox shox have. I was actually turn off from a couple bikes due to it! Check some other forums on other biking websites, they can tell you what to do. Check like Ridemonkey or Mtbr. They will steer you in the right direction.

[catoctinkid]

It is the rear shock that is compressed, I put 250 psi in it to no avail, I dissasembled the shock and it returned to its normal position only to have compress and stuck down as soon as I got on the bike. The shock is holding air I checked that. It has been removed from the frame so I' sure it' not a bent component on the frame.

[jabberwocky]

I'm pretty sure this issue is caused by a faulty internal seal allowing air to leak from the positive to the negative air chambers. Fox has had a few issues caused by bad seals in various shocks.

Give Fox a call. Its under a year old and still under warranty, so they will definitely take care of you.

[punga]

Those Fox shocks have a habit of doing that, it's been a problem for a few years. They always claim they've resolved it by going to a different set of seals from an different supplier, but still occurs as you're finding. The problem happens when air escapes from one chamber into another (positive to negative chamber I believe).

Citybikes used to send them to back to Fox. Now, after deflating it, they put the shaft in a vice (I'm paraphrasing here, but this is done very carefully), insert a cloth-wrapped screwdriver through the shaft eyelet, and unscrew the canister slowly. The screwdriver at the end prevents the canister from shooting across the room as the pressure is released. Reassemble and re-inflate the shock and you're good to go. But I'm only speaking as observer of this process here.

It is a warranty issue in most cases as far as I know. Replacing the seals may resolve it for you without sending it back. Or you can send it to Push Industries (http://www.pushindustries.com/services.php?serv_page=fox%20air%20 shocks&title=Fox%20Air%20Shocks) who would rebuild it and also resolve the issue.

p!

[toonces]

Go to the following link for Fox Online Owners Manuals and select from the Table of Contents on the left:

OE Custom Products
Rear Shocks
FLOAT RPL

From there you will see an option on the right for Stuck Down Shock and also one for Air Sleeve Maintenance.

http://http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/07/eng/2007_om_eng.htm (http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_center/owners_manuals/07/eng/2007_om_eng.htm)

That might shed a little more light on this. Hope it's useful for you.

[DaveG]

Now, after deflating it, they put the shaft in a vice (I'm paraphrasing here, but this is done very carefully), insert a cloth-wrapped screwdriver through the shaft eyelet, and unscrew the canister slowly. The screwdriver at the end prevents the canister from shooting across the room as the pressure is released. Reassemble and re-inflate the shock and you're good to go. But I'm only speaking as observer of this process here.
p!

Yeah, that's what I did; pretty easy actually. Mine did it twice (on my 5-spot) before I got the seals replaced, and didn't do it after that. My Sultan w/ an RP3 has been golden. It seems to me that the newer shocks are MUCH improved, but clearly the problem hasn't been completely eliminated.

I'm surprised that the LBS didn't know how to deal w/ this. MTBR had step by step instructions (w/ pictures ;) ) almost two years ago.

Dave

[DaveG]

It is the rear shock that is compressed, I put 250 psi in it to no avail, I dissasembled the shock and it returned to its normal position only to have compress and stuck down as soon as I got on the bike. The shock is holding air I checked that. It has been removed from the frame so I' sure it' not a bent component on the frame.

Did you add extra fluid? If you did and it's still doing this it's probably defective seals.

Dave

[BikerMiker]

Punga's got it mostly right. Just let the pressure out, remove the outer air cannister (unscrew it in a vice, it's hard, try a oil filter rubber strap wrench) then re-assemble. Once you get the new seals, put them in. It's really easy (if you have a vice).

I posted details on how to do this somewhere on the MORE site a few years ago...

I know that you didn't take it to City Bikes where we have seals and the ability to fix that in stock!

mike

[bills]

My RP3 was "stuck down" after my first ride. It seems that the seals between the positive and negative don't always hold and the shock gets sucked in rather than pushed out. I brough it back to where I bought the bike and they fixed it right away... my mechanic said you have to be very careful when opening the shock because it's under a lot of pressure - the rag and screwdriver trick keeps the shock from flying across the room.

If your shop won't help, fox will fix it without a problem.

[catoctinkid]

I am now an "expert" on the stuck down shock syndrom. I ordered a rebuild kit from Fox for 6$, took the shock apart for the second time , a little bit scary but I still have ten fingers, and rebuilt it with no problems, rode last Sat and Sun.: works great.
It was realy quite simple, Fox has a video of the procedures along with written instructions.
It turns out that the lower air sleeve bearings, of which there are two, one below and one above the lower seal, were the culprit, they were deformed on one side. When I installed the new bearings it was obvious what caused the problem to begin with; in order to install the bearings they must be *squeezed "like a potato chip" to facilitate installation*, in doing so the bearings end up slightly wrinkled on one side after installed. I waited several hours before installing the shaft so as to allow the bearings to straighten out, which they did.
All in all it was easy and I'm back in the saddle again, I did order an extra rebuild kit just in case.

[rodnreel729]

If anybody else would like an extra one of those rebuild kits...let me know I have an extra that I no longer need since I no longer have the shock. I go by Wakefield on my way to GMU everyday so if you can meet me at Wakefield you can have it.