Mountain Biking - Fox Rebuild Service

Ok here's the short version. I just got off the phone with my LBS. They have to send my Fox Float R back in to Fox for a rebuild, so I'm off the dirt for a couple weeks. (Unless I slap the knobbies on the commuter.) Have any of you had this done? If so did it come back FIXED? The reason I'm being a little edgy is I've actually had opportunity to really ride this thing 3 times (not counting puttering around stuff) and it's already had the external seals replaced. This doesn't speak well of their product at all. The LBS swears up and down that when it comes back it'll be better than NEW, if not I'll get a new shock out of the deal. The thing is, I'm starting to wonder if I should have pushed the coil-over a bit harder when I bought the bike. Ideas?

One thing buying a new shock ISN"T an option at the moment, so none of that .

Raiyn, I've met you, you should push for the coil over! Not to be mean, but you're a big guy and big guy + air shocks = constant problems and blown seals!

I've had a shock rebuilt, and it did come back better than new, but it cost me $50 and was gone for nearly 4 weeks.

I'm surprised the LBS didn't suggest a coil-over for you from the beginning!

L8R

I was surprised as well, but the guy who sold it to me is my size and he swore it would be fine. If it screws up again I'm going to insist on getting a coil-over Probably a Fox Vanilla so the LBS can claim customer satisfaction from Fox. <shakes head> The sad thing is I sent it in after our ride, and this was the first ride after. (been putting in road miles)

I'll second a coil over...a2 is on the ball lately :D...

Sorry about your loss hopefully Fox service is going to be great.

UPDATE: Fox STILL hasn't returned my shock to the LBS! On a bright note the LBS did a very nice thing for me. :D They put a new Float R off of a bike they hadn't assembled yet on my baby. So far It's holding air. :D If this one blows I've got the OK from them (the LBS) to swap it for a coil-over

Why would you even consider getting another Fox? I mean, after all this crap I'd rather be looking elsewhere for a coilover.

Fox service is an oxymoron. The last fork we sent in took about 5 weeks to get back and they sent the wrong parts with it as well. One of our shop guys blew the seals on a nearly new fork and cannot even get a response from them. He's emailed and phone numerous times over the past few weeks and they still have yet to respond. Just say no to Fox.

Originally posted by Chi
Why would you even consider getting another Fox? I mean, after all this crap I'd rather be looking elsewhere for a coilover. Because I'm dealing with all of this under the shock's warranty. I somehow don't think that Fox will buy me someone else's shock. They aren't Old Spice and this ain't a stick of Red Zone Deodorant we're talking about. That's why. Believe me I'm not happy about it but hopefully it won't come to that.

I just got a fox Talas fork, after I ordered it I started reading these horror stories about Fox and their customer service etc.. But since it is on my bike now guess will see how it does.

We had a leaky Fox Float R's on our Ventana El Conquistador [http://home.att.net/~mark.livingood/Ventana2/ecdm221c.JPG] and I had them send the seal replacement kit to me.

It took about 30 minutes to do the entire repair, including removing and reinstalling the shock on the bike. Anyone who feels comfortable working on their own bike (e.g., bottom bracket replacement, cassette removal/reinstall, etc...) should be able to follow the very good instructions that come with the kit and successfully replace the seals. It has been fine ever since (8 months ago).

More bike pics: http://home.att.net/~mark.livingood/Ventana2/02ecdm.html
Note: These were taken when it was new and and unblemished.

It wasn't the seals. The seals were replaced on the first go-round. It was something internal unrelated to the seals

Originally posted by Raiyn
It wasn't the seals. The seals were replaced on the first go-round. It was something internal unrelated to the seals

Whoops. Sorry about that -- I misread.

The seals I had to replace were internals -- the air sleeve seal & body seal -- and required full disassembly of the shock body from the air sleeve assembly. Never got into the internals of the shock body itself.

http://www.foxracingshox.com/mountainbike/english/manual26.html

Nope again. There is a dealer serviceable area (that you are talking about) and a section you HAVE to send back to Fox. My problem was in the area that was NOT dealer serviceable. That's what I mean by internal. The Air sleeve and body seals while being technically "internal" really considered the external seal.

Originally posted by Raiyn
Nope again. There is a dealer serviceable area (that you are talking about) and a section you HAVE to send back to Fox. My problem was in the area that was NOT dealer serviceable. That's what I mean by internal. The Air sleeve and body seals while being technically "internal" really considered the external seal.

Well that just plain sucks... hope they get it squared soon. At least it sounds like you have a good LBS that's taking care of you.

If this one holds I'm keeping it. I think the other one is cursed or something.

If you put your ear up to one of the stanchions you can hear the wailing of tortured souls?

Originally posted by Raiyn
Because I'm dealing with all of this under the shock's warranty. I somehow don't think that Fox will buy me someone else's shock. They aren't Old Spice and this ain't a stick of Red Zone Deodorant we're talking about. That's why. Believe me I'm not happy about it but hopefully it won't come to that.

Well, best of luck then. I'm sure that if you ever get a chance to get out of this deal, you will.

Originally posted by DiL
If you put your ear up to one of the stanchions you can hear the wailing of tortured souls? <whispering> DiL it's not a fork

Here's an idea, lets play a game called Step All Over DiL's Jokes With Technicalities! We'll call it SAODJWT for short.

*mutters* :p

If it makes you feel better everytime I hit a bump on the old shock it made a noise like "FaTSSSSsssO" :D



I'm not fat just really big Just ask A2

OkK, let's reopen Raiyn's thread from 2 Double Oh 3. So what finally happened? I'm asking because I have an older Fox Vanilla R air shock, and it's been leaking air. Never had any problems when I beat on it, but now that my wife who weighs a lot less than me is riding the bike, it holds air for only a few hours. Suggestions? I can't return it, as there's no place here to return it to. I have plenty of new spares, but this one probably has less than 500 miles on it, so I'm not about to replace it unless I have to.

OkK, let's reopen Raiyn's thread from 2 Double Oh 3. So what finally happened? I'm asking because I have an older Fox Vanilla R air shock, and it's been leaking air. Never had any problems when I beat on it, but now that my wife who weighs a lot less than me is riding the bike, it holds air for only a few hours. Suggestions? I can't return it, as there's no place here to return it to. I have plenty of new spares, but this one probably has less than 500 miles on it, so I'm not about to replace it unless I have to.
You're killing me. I'd think you'd know better. :rolleyes:

Now to the question:
If you were stateside I'd suggest a PUSH industries (http://www.pushindustries.com/) rebuild. This may still be an option contact them for info. .Also the seals may have gone. Try the LBS


Two years later the shock is perfectly fine, I have no complaints, but I do intend on getting the rebuild, as they offer a platform dampening upgrade

I searched first, and this was all I found. I don't know what a rebuild costs, as I have several spares and just whack a new one on there when one goes bad. But this one has seen so little use, seems a bit early to replace it. Oh well.

I searched first, and this was all I found. I don't know what a rebuild costs, as I have several spares and just whack a new one on there when one goes bad. But this one has seen so little use, seems a bit early to replace it. Oh well.
Could have started fresh....

Take it to the shop have them service the seals.

I don't have a competent LBS here. When I got the frame, it came with a box of about 10 new spare shocks. I'll put a new one on, and maybe someday find a shop that can service this one. And maybe a shop that can service my Headshok as well.

I don't have a competent LBS here. When I got the frame, it came with a box of about 10 new spare shocks. I'll put a new one on, and maybe someday find a shop that can service this one. And maybe a shop that can service my Headshok as well.
10 spare shocks?!?
Sorry to hear of the LBS situation. Get in touch with the folks at PUSH see if they do overseas jobs

Push industries is supposed to do great work. They rebuild, or they can upgrade a Fox float to Pro pedal. They have a web site

10 spare shocks?!?
Sorry to hear of the LBS situation. Get in touch with the folks at PUSH see if they do overseas jobs

The fly didn't read my posts about location. Yes, 10 spares. When you buy the whole company, there's little perks like that. A one-off custom full suspension XC frame , and a box of spares. My favorite was opening a brand new box of 100 OEM XT front hubs. It's a beautiful sight.

The fly didn't read my posts about location. Yes, 10 spares. When you buy the whole company, there's little perks like that. A one-off custom full suspension XC frame , and a box of spares. My favorite was opening a brand new box of 100 OEM XT front hubs. It's a beautiful sight.
We may need to talk about some hubs. If they haven't already been liquidated.

Gone. All of them. Sorry. It took 2 trips in my Landcruiser to cart all the stuff home. Deal of the century.

Gone. All of them. Sorry. It took 2 trips in my Landcruiser to cart all the stuff home. Deal of the century.
Pity

Paid for about a month and a half vacation to New Zealand and Australia. When I move back to the US, I'm going to start a business selling just to Aussies and Kiwis. I've got the inside line.

I took the shock off to replace it, and thought I'd take a look at the seals. I'm guessing they're not supposed to be completely dry. The upper one failed the water bubble test, and the lower was caked with grime. I cleaned it, gave it a light coat of grease, and I'll see if it's still holding pressure tomorrow.

I took the shock off to replace it, and thought I'd take a look at the seals. I'm guessing they're not supposed to be completely dry. The upper one failed the water bubble test, and the lower was caked with grime. I cleaned it, gave it a light coat of grease, and I'll see if it's still holding pressure tomorrow.

I wish I had a simply Fox R instead of this Fox Vanilla RL, the spring is 550x2.29 and I can't get any sag from it no much how I turn it. I'm considering reducing the psi in my tyres to give me some cushion.

I wish I had a simply Fox R instead of this Fox Vanilla RL, the spring is 550x2.29 and I can't get any sag from it no much how I turn it. I'm considering reducing the psi in my tyres to give me some cushion.


Haha! Did I mention my frame came with a box of them? Sorry. :D