droo Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 So I was minding my own business down a 3ft drop in Tokai the other day when my supposedly bombproof Vanilla suddenly started pissing oil from the top seal on the damper leg. Is this a blown seal? I wasn't aware that shocks with no air spring could blow seals. Was I wrong? (JB, your phone's ringing...)
AndreZA Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 I did not know there were seals in Tokai.
Hog_ Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 Is the seal still in place, as well as the little spring thingy around it? I had the entire spring cartridge on my Trials bike pop out the other day. Still need to figure out why.
TNT1 Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 I did not know there were seals in Tokai. Me either, and even if there are, I certainly wouldn't blow one.
droo Posted September 16, 2009 Author Posted September 16, 2009 Hog, it all seems to look pretty normal, it's just spewing oil. Was due for a service and a set of Enduro seals anyway, but just interesting cos I thought the whole point of spring forks was that they were un-blowable. As for your issue, I'd say it's most likely that the top cap wasn't tightened properly and just worked loose. I'd recommend you check that, being hit by a spring wouldn't be fun... On the upside, a mate's lent me a Manitou Minute 4, which should be fun to play with
Hog_ Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 Hog' date=' it all seems to look pretty normal, it's just spewing oil. Was due for a service and a set of Enduro seals anyway, but just interesting cos I thought the whole point of spring forks was that they were un-blowable. As for your issue, I'd say it's most likely that the top cap wasn't tightened properly and just worked loose. I'd recommend you check that, being hit by a spring wouldn't be fun...[/quote'] If there's oil, there's the possibility for it coming out. Trust me, I own a Marzocchi! The fork on my Trials bike has been heavily modified, but it looks like the thread by the topcap is damaged, still need to check properly. Could have been last week's bunnyhop practise that worked it loose.
droo Posted September 16, 2009 Author Posted September 16, 2009 Hog' date=' it all seems to look pretty normal, it's just spewing oil. Was due for a service and a set of Enduro seals anyway, but just interesting cos I thought the whole point of spring forks was that they were un-blowable. As for your issue, I'd say it's most likely that the top cap wasn't tightened properly and just worked loose. I'd recommend you check that, being hit by a spring wouldn't be fun... [/quote']If there's oil, there's the possibility for it coming out. Trust me, I own a Marzocchi! The fork on my Trials bike has been heavily modified, but it looks like the thread by the topcap is damaged, still need to check properly. Could have been last week's bunnyhop practise that worked it loose. [flamebait] Italian engineering leaking oil I can understand, but on a Fox? [/flamebait]
Capricorn Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 italian american.. all made in taiwan...
Hog_ Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 [flamebait] Italian engineering leaking oil I can understand' date=' but on a Fox? [/flamebait'] But how else do you know when to replace the oil?
techguy Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 Even tho its a coil spring it still has oil damping in the right leg for the lockout (if fitted) and rebound adjustment, and it also has a small amount of oil in the left leg for lubrication. The "seals" are actually dust wipers to keep dirt out of the fork and not high pressure seals, so a 3ft drop off can force the oil past the dust wipers.
MoreTrails Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 Droo, maybe time to put a stiffer spring in the fork - your riding is coming on and that soft spring is not healthy for loony stuff you doing... Enjoy the Manitou - not as supple but eats those big bumps. You may have to fiddle with the rear shock - that Manitou is tall so puts a bit more pressue on the rear shock which then tends to blow through it travel if soft
droo Posted September 17, 2009 Author Posted September 17, 2009 Droo' date=' maybe time to put a stiffer spring in the fork - your riding is coming on and that soft spring is not healthy for loony stuff you doing...Enjoy the Manitou - not as supple but eats those big bumps. You may have to fiddle with the rear shock - that Manitou is tall so puts a bit more pressue on the rear shock which then tends to blow through it travel if soft [/quote'] Been tooling about with the million settings on the Minute, and it's the platform air spring that affects small bump sensitivity. The rest's easy enough, but I had to put about an extra 15psi in the rear to compensate. So... singlespeeding tonight and Tokai with a shock pump on Sat? So many toys, so little time... droo2009-09-17 00:51:50
Bos Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 Hog' date=' it all seems to look pretty normal, it's just spewing oil. Was due for a service and a set of Enduro seals anyway, but just interesting cos I thought the whole point of spring forks was that they were un-blowable. As for your issue, I'd say it's most likely that the top cap wasn't tightened properly and just worked loose. I'd recommend you check that, being hit by a spring wouldn't be fun... On the upside, a mate's lent me a Manitou Minute 4, which should be fun to play with [/quote'] Dey drew- watch out that you dont break that minute aswell.. Just saying.. Bro annything that has oil inside needs seals, the oil is put under HUGE pressure when compression damning happens (you should know this engeneer) so yes. where did oil blow out? top of the leg by the adjuster or by the dust wipers?
droo Posted September 17, 2009 Author Posted September 17, 2009 Out of the dust wipers. I wouldn't be stressed about it, except that when I wipe the oil off, more comes out. And not with abuse either, just tooling about. I know it needs a service anyway, so I'll just get that done as soon as the credit card recovers. Rocking the daisies is gonna kill it again though... Meh.
Bos Posted September 17, 2009 Posted September 17, 2009 Haha this reminds me of a story.. haha We were at my first Mtb Nationals- I was highschool. Me and martinhatting (at stellies at the time) and his brother made the trek up to Citrusdale.. Me and Martin would take part in the dual slalom whilst Martin got the DH thing on.. Anyway, walking up the dual track (dusty- sandy) we went and stood at the "big jump" at the top of the course which was a badly made Tabletop that lots of the top riders battled to clear.. However Greg minaar was doing heel clickers over it.. no onder he ended up getting somewere..he was 16 at the timeI think) Anyway, I check Jhonty Neetling comming down the track on a Purple Giant with a Judy C ( elastomer + springs) he klaps the tabletop but like many others doesnt clear it properly, He basically lands right on top with a Loud Bah!! we *** ourselves and laugh histerically like kids do whilst Jonty collapses while moaning holding his chest.. What the hell?? He takes his shirt off to reveal what looked like a rubberbullet wound. The topcaps of those first Judy's were made from plastic- I know youre getting it now..Yes the topcap blew off from the impact and shot him in the tit It went purple then broown and yellow.. hahah Oh shame, those were the days.. cx frames and 3'' my bru! heres the pic..
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