Mountain Biking - Anyone ever blow up a Fox Float?

My bike had a rough day today. First I tweak the hanger on a rock. Then when I over shift (because of the hanger) into the spokes, I break a spoke. Then my headset loosens up. Then to top it all of, towards the end of the ride when landing a small jump my Float completely gives up. Made a neat sound at least, and scared the S*!T out of the people I was riding with. Anyone ever had/seen/heard of a failure like that?

If you are doing drops with a Float, im not surprised it gave way. Especially if its old.

I’m not sure if this is the same situation but I had the internal air blow by the seal on my Float when I landed a small drop in December. I think it was because it was just below freezing out and the seal may have been stiff/dirty. The shock remained compressed for the remainder of the ride. When I got it home and took apart the shock body, it made a huge pop. I cleaned and re-greased the seals and put it back together. It’s been working fine since.

In your situation was the shock body breached?

T.J.

I bottom my float all the time even with 230 lbs in it (I'm 180) and I only do XC. The air seals did let the shock leak down during a ride recently, but the lock-out got me home. I let them go too long that time.

Fox told me that it was a good idea to put a new seal kit in every 40 hr maintenance. I've been putting a kit in every 80 to 120 hours. I keep kits on hand. Considering I ride in sandy conditions, that's not too bad.

Al

If you are doing drops with a Float
I was jumping a rock to a bermed transition, maybe 2 feet of air. Took the shock of last night after work. The threaded part that a pump would screw into broke off most of the way down the threads. it must have been like that for a while because landing this jump was very unstressful. Just glad it didn't give out on the big rock roll down on the trail about 2 minutes B4, that would have sucked.

Give me some time, and some money and I can blow up a Fox Float. (Fire Crakers!)

I was jumping a rock to a bermed transition, maybe 2 feet of air. Took the shock of last night after work. The threaded part that a pump would screw into broke off most of the way down the threads. it must have been like that for a while because landing this jump was very unstressful. Just glad it didn't give out on the big rock roll down on the trail about 2 minutes B4, that would have sucked.
Yeah, 2 ft of air shouldnt do much. Probably just age and wear.

My son managed to blow one out 2 years ago - when he probably weighed about 65 lbs. Turned out to be dirty, and the LBS cleaned it & put it back together, as no damage had actually been done to it. As far as I know, the guy who has the bike now is still using it with no problems.

Sometimes, though, if the dirt scratches or gouges the inside, in which case there are re-build kits available (according to the LBS, anyway...)

OK...i have blown out my shock TWICE!!! i am only 125lbs and do NOT do drops (haven't quite gotten the launch down yet...scared to end up on my face :rolleyes: )

anyway...i am obviously not cleaning it correctly...how do i go about keeping it clean as to insure i don't blow it again :eek: