Manitou Mars CL leaking fluid

[kleinhead]

I noticed that the Mars CL fork on my Klein Adroit is leaking fluid at the bottom of the right fork leg. Pics can be found herehttp://picasaweb.google.com/tjones.va/MarsCL#

I bought this bike about 4 weeks ago. The guy I bought the bike from said the fork was just serviced before shipping (zero rides on it when I got it) and it had a clean bill of health. Either he's lying, or the LBS fubbed the job.

Any suggestions on what might be causing it to leak?

Thanks,
Tom

[BikerMiker]

Sounds like the cartridge is leaking.

There may be some residual stuff dripping out or the total amount of oil is 'self-adjusting' but if the fork works (meaning you can feel the damping adjustment working) then you are probably just dealing with the after effects of a rebuild.

Of course, there could be something else that will upset you way more... Does that have a serviceable cartridge? I don't remember...

Buy some spare parts for that sucker right now, if you still can.

mk

[kleinhead]

After another couple of rides, the shock is still leaking some fluid. I've also tried the lockout out feature and it does not lock the fork. I can still compress it with it "locked out" and I can hear air bubbles as well. Does this mean the cartridge is leaking?

[269er]

I had a four year old Mars...took it to the LBS and called Manitou and was told that they don't have parts for or service a fork that old. Get a Reba if you have
to....good solid fork and reasonably priced.

Good Luck!!

[nocro]

After another couple of rides, the shock is still leaking some fluid. I've also tried the lockout out feature and it does not lock the fork. I can still compress it with it "locked out" and I can hear air bubbles as well. Does this mean the cartridge is leaking?

A Mars CL was my first fork. I bought it used from a friend. It worked for a little while, then it gave out. Turns out that I needed to replace the oil frequently.

It was actually the lockout mechanism that was the cause of the problem. Manitou warrantied a Skareb to replace it. That was years ago, though. The warranty process was long and drawn out. I destroyed that Skareb, then another (they couldn't ever get the part needed so I got a whole new fork) then received a third, before I switched to a Fox. I like the Fox much better for my style of riding and weight (I'm about 200 lbs).

Sorry, doesn't help you to troubleshoot. Maybe it will compel you to replace the fork.

[mark w]

If i recall correctly, the MARS lockout is based on oil height (essentially a selectable hydraulic lock w/ blowoff). If the damper is leaking oil and the level is not correct, the lockout will behave that way. Have you been able to find a service manual for it? TPC is a pretty simple system to work with provided the components are not physically broken. As for the leakage, it could be as simple as an O-ring or a crush washer. If it's a shaft seal for the damping rod then you may have more of a challenge finding the parts.

[kleinhead]

If i recall correctly, the MARS lockout is based on oil height (essentially a selectable hydraulic lock w/ blowoff). If the damper is leaking oil and the level is not correct, the lockout will behave that way. Have you been able to find a service manual for it?

I did find a service manual and you are correct. The manual states that a low oil level will cause the lock out to not work correctly.

This makes sense because when I first received the bike a few weeks ago, the lockout was working. Then I took it out for a couple of rides and the fork started leaking oil...now lock out doesn't work, hence too low of an oil level.

Rebuild looks a little intimidating (never done one before). Anyone wanna help a fellow biker out? I can pay in beer.

[pepelkod]

I had a four year old Mars...took it to the LBS and called Manitou and was told that they don't have parts for or service a fork that old. Get a Reba if you have
to....good solid fork and reasonably priced.

Good Luck!!

I had a Mars Elite. It broke very shortly after I started riding. I sent it in for service. It came back broken. Sent it in again and it came back working, but only for a week. If you can swing another fork (any fork, but 269er is right, the Reba is good) buy it. After that fork I got a Marzocchi Marathon (now called the Corsa). It gave me zero trouble for four years. I did no service, no maintenance and abused to no end. I finally decided (in spite of trouble free functioning) to have it sent in to the "Shock Treatment Center" run by QBP. It has not worked right since.

-Doug

[BikerMiker]

Ok, I know what the deal is.

I had one of these forks with this problem AND losing air.

Take off the top cap on the lockout side (after letting all the air out). You'll see a small, shallow cup below the cap. Fill it about 80% up to the threads then put the cap back on and tighten.

I used a big crescent wrench to open it up.

Good luck. Oh yeah, any 5wt suspension oil would be fine. I used some old Rock Shox stuff.

I had to do this 3-4 times a year. If the bike ends up being laid down or something, you'll probably need to do it again. Not a great seal on that sucker.

mk

[kleinhead]

If the bike ends up being laid down or something, you'll probably need to do it again. Not a great seal on that sucker.
mk

The fork is actually leaking from the bottom of the right leg, not the top. I did read that it can leak from the top if the bike is stored upside down for a while, which I haven't done.

I'd just replace the fork IF I could find another with 1-1/4" steerer tube! Yup, this Klein uses a special headset with sealed bearings pressed fit into the frame and required 1-1/4" steerer diameter.

I'm gonna have to pull it apart and hope that it can be repaired.

[BikerMiker]

Oh yeah, right. I forgot. That cartridge has nothing to do with the lockout though, if memory serves.

Pull out the cartridge. It ain't hard. You'll probably need snap ring pliers and not much else.

Pull the wheel out, loosen the screws at the bottom of the legs then tap 'em with a mallet just before they are all the way out to unseat the lowers. Remove the bolts fully then give the lowers a good yank and it should come right apart. Look underneath at the cartridge and you should see an internal snap ring. Pull that sucker out with the wave washer (should be one betwixt that and the cartridge) then pull the cartridge out.

I think that's it. It's a 10 minute or less job if things work out. If the cartridge is blown, those things aren't serviceable, methinks. Plastic body that just doesn't hold up.

mk

[kleinhead]

Well I managed to get the lockout assembly removed from the right leg and checked the oil level and it was good :eek:, but the lockout was still not working :confused:. At this point, I'm a bit lost. Guess I'll pull the whole thing apart to see if something is obviously broken.


BTW, I broke an o-ring in the process. Anyone know a good place to pick up small parts in the area?

[BikerMiker]

Yeah, hardware stores. Plumbing/faucet section.

mk