Is it possible to Repair this?

[Pistol]

Does anyone know if this front shock is repairable or do i need to replace the stanchion?

 

I have read that some guys use 1200 grid water sandpaper and nail polish in the repairing process but i have no idea if it works or not! 

[Super_mil]

Nope. You'll need new stanchions, which ain't cheap.

 

Best to keep the lowers regularly serviced and just run them for as long as they hold out. Then when the time comes, just replace the whole fork.

[DJR]

Not repairable. 

 

BUT

 

If it is a Fox fork, the travel can often be reduced by changing the internal spacers. A 120 mm fork can be made to be a 100 mm fork for instance or a 100 mm into an 80 mm. The worn part of the stanction will then not be functional and that will give the fork a new lease of life. that is, if you have use for a shorter travel fork. 

 

Otherwise, buy a new fork from CRC when they have a special. Replacing the stanctions are too expensive and cost almost the same as a brand new fork.

[Eugene]

I'm no expert, but logic tells me that the damage is close to the top. Very rarely does a fork compress that far, so there may not be any issues.

 

There was a similar thread some time ago and somebody mentioned they had "filled" up the holes with some sort of epoxy and sanded it flush with the stantion. Again logic will tell me that this will negate any problems if the fork does compress past those scratches.

 

Ignor what I've just said. I see now that the scratch is not at the top by the crown, but down at the bottom.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

I'm no expert, but logic tells me that the damage is close to the top. Very rarely does a fork compress that far, so there may not be any issues.

 

There was a similar thread some time ago and somebody mentioned they had "filled" up the holes with some sort of epoxy and sanded it flush with the stantion. Again logic will tell me that this will negate any problems if the fork does compress past those scratches.

 

 

Nope, damage is right near the dust wipers. So right where the fork will be sitting. 

 

You need new stanchions. But with that fork, it may be better / cheaper to just get a new one...

[Dirkitech]

I'd love to know what caused this. Please OP.... save me from my Friday paranoia, I dont want to lose my RS Reba WC's!

[Vangar]

I'd love to know what caused this. Please OP.... save me from my Friday paranoia, I dont want to lose my RS Reba WC's!

Simply noy enough maintenance. Check wipers after every ride. Regular lower services and the like.

[David Marshall]

Simply noy enough maintenance. Check wipers after every ride. Regular lower services and the like.

Agreed.  This damage can only be avoided by sticking to the maintenance schedules.  Cleaning from the outside is no substitute as the damage is caused by dirt/oil below the wipers.  The Rock Shox forks seem to less prone to damage but it does happen.  Stanchions around R2700-00.

[Wyatt Earp]

Does anyone know if this front shock is repairable or do i need to replace the stanchion?

 

I have read that some guys use 1200 grid water sandpaper and nail polish in the repairing process but i have no idea if it works or not! 

 

 

Older Fox which makes it an "open oil bath" for lack of better words, the left leg is the one that can get away with those marks but not your right leg, the oil will keep pi$$ing through .

Those older models were prone to this, they had terrible bushings.

[droo]

Replacing the stanctions are too expensive and cost almost the same as a brand new fork.

 

Not even close... a second hand fork maybe, but at R 3 400 for stanchions, bushings and a full rebuild you're better off fixing them by a factor of a bit more than 2.

 

OP - up to you, but I'd get the fork sorted unless you've got an upgrade on the cards. Once it's up and running again, stick to the maintenance schedule and you'll be good.

[Dirkitech]

Agreed.  This damage can only be avoided by sticking to the maintenance schedules.  Cleaning from the outside is no substitute as the damage is caused by dirt/oil below the wipers.  The Rock Shox forks seem to less prone to damage but it does happen.  Stanchions around R2700-00.

 I think you may be right about RS forks being less prone... I haven't serviced mine since buying the bike a year ago and its still goind perfectly (as far as I am aware), with whiping off of dirt only after muddy or dusty rides.

 

I hope you come right with your fork OP, without having to fork out too much. At least your thread helped someone else from getting spooned!

[David Marshall]

On route to scrap yard. 

[Dirkitech]

Not even close... a second hand fork maybe, but at R 3 400 for stanchions, bushings and a full rebuild you're better off fixing them by a factor of a bit more than 2.

 

OP - up to you, but I'd get the fork sorted unless you've got an upgrade on the cards. Once it's up and running again, stick to the maintenance schedule and you'll be good.

heck, you are right as well. I havent checked fork prices since 2013, but even this fork on CRC on clearance sale isn't cheap at roughly R4500. The rest are just... shocking!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/rockshox-reba-rl-solo-air-forks-9mmqr-2014/rp-prod109672

 

So assuming the OP getts the stancions replaced by at least equivalent quality for R3400. Does that include or exclude labour and materials used?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

heck, you are right as well. I havent checked fork prices since 2013, but even this fork on CRC on clearance sale isn't cheap at roughly R4500. The rest are just... shocking!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/rockshox-reba-rl-solo-air-forks-9mmqr-2014/rp-prod109672

 

So assuming the OP getts the stancions replaced by at least equivalent quality for R3400. Does that include or exclude labour and materials used?

Incl afaik.

 

And agreed on the brand new vs replace. Should be good for a few more miles if done properly!

 

I was just thinking of the opportunity to get a sick second hand deal, but those RS Reba's are lekka forks. A stanchion replace and rebuild will be perfect. Effectively a new fork. 

[droo]

heck, you are right as well. I havent checked fork prices since 2013, but even this fork on CRC on clearance sale isn't cheap at roughly R4500. The rest are just... shocking!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/rockshox-reba-rl-solo-air-forks-9mmqr-2014/rp-prod109672

 

So assuming the OP getts the stancions replaced by at least equivalent quality for R3400. Does that include or exclude labour and materials used?

 

All in. Don't try it on Rockshox though, you can't get bushings separately so you've got to buy a new set of lowers too. Then you may as well buy a new fork.

 

Book yours in on Monday.

[Andymann]

On route to scrap yard.

Have you ever tried removing the stanchion from the crown? They were put in there at one stage, so I'm guessing they either screw out, or they have been put in with a damn strong epoxy.

 

But, if you could get them out, I bet there are people who would be able to re-coat them, and re-grind them down to size.

 

We do it often with the motorbike stanchions we need to restore, and while admittedly, the motorbike stanchions are steel and a bikes are alloy, they were done once in the factory, so they must be able to be done again.....