Fox RP3 "Stuck Down"

[Dibles]

To my dismay I've just discovered that my shock is "stuck down" and I desperately want to ride tomorrow. Anyone ever fixed a "stuck down" shock before?

 

I've read that it can be done but I want to find out just how dangerous this is before trying anything.  My shock is out of warranty.

[Racer X]

try let all the air out of it, you should be safe doing so but as a precaution hi behind something and poke a stick into the valve.

[Dibles]

Thanks. I've tried that but it doesn't help. With all the air let out the shock cannot be moved at all and there is none of the shock body visible.

 

The manual suggested the following:

 

"PROCEDURE TO CHECK FOR A ?STUCK DOWN? SHOCK:
1. Release air pressure from the shock by removing the air cap and depressing the Schrader valve. You can use the top of the air cap to press in the
Schrader valve.
2. Using a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump, pressurize the shock to 250 psi.
3. If the shock does not extend, it has become ?stuck down.?"

 

When I pump it up to 250psi there is only about 2.5 cm of the shock body protruding.  I suspect air is stuck in the negative chamber as the lockout mode doesn't work anymore either.

[SwissVan]

To my dismay I've just discovered that my shock is "stuck down" and I desperately want to ride tomorrow. Anyone ever fixed a "stuck down" shock before?

 

I've read that it can be done but I want to find out just how dangerous this is before trying anything.  My shock is out of warranty.

 

Never had the pleasure of having to fix this problem, seems like it is a reasonably common problem with this shock.

 

Basicaly what has happened is excessive air has somehow leaked from the positive chamber into the negative chamber side of the piston. The excessive air on the negative side needs to be released to "unstick" the shock.

Apparently it can be released by removing (unscrewing) the airbottle or aircan. This would be the risky part as the air trapped in the negative side will put tension on the aircan and once the aircan reaches the end of its threadS it will want to shoot off at a rate relative to the amount of air pressure behind it .... .

Once the air pressure has been released the shock can be reassembled and charged as per the manual.

 

In all honesty it would be a good idea to change the seals as this is probably where the air leaked thru and unless you have the time, skills, parts and equipment it would be best to be left to the Fox recommended dealer or LBS.

 

Or if you are brave...  found the following description on another mtb forum on how to fixit ...

 

If it's not a new shock and out of the 12 month period you can unstick the shock yourself.....


first depressurise the shock completely, then do it again for good measure!!

Remove the bolts from the end of the 'thin end ' of the shock.

Shock still mounted to frame at the air valve end.

Place a thick book( telephone directory or similar) over the free end of shock.

Unscrew the air can........

Will be a bit stiff to turn cos of the neg chamber being over pressurised.

Keep on unscrewing.......

(There's about 7mm worth of thread.)

BANG!!!!

Aircan has shot off into telephone book , and you have brown under wear!!!

Give it as quick clean and srcew back together, re pressurise and go ride....

 

 

 

 

[Racer X]

I have just done that to my brothers rp23. I just use a towel a brute force, same thing really, just regrease put back together ride, easiest thing in the world.

[Dibles]

Thanks SwissVan and especially RacerX who gave me a step-by-step online lesson on the action to be taken.

 

I have gotten up to the part just before the BANG and brown underwear and will convince my friends to share the BANG bit with me tomorrow morning. Will have my video camera handy to capture the moment

[MichH]

So, where's the video clip?!

 

Seriously, just saw this now, did you manage to fix it?

[Dibles]

No video clip as no one was brave enough to attempt the BANG. Shock will have to be sent in for repairs.

[SwissVan]

 

Pik Pik Pik (Chicken noise for those who dont understand )

 

Look try and unscrew the canister, if there is a lot of pressure (Big Bang type of pressure) behind it it will be VERY difficult to unscrew, if u manage to unscrew it by hand then the pressure will not be life threating.....Just dont put your self in the line of fire, and wrap the cannister in a towel like racer X suggested and protect your frame with said telephone book...

All will be ok - trust me I'm a Docter!!!

 

 

 

 

[Dibles]

Destonian did half attempt to help me (with telephone book etc at hand) but he stopped when it became a bit difficult to unscrew. He was also not fully aware of the dangers involved although he did ask me why I kept on taking cover behind a friend's car  He suggested that I rather ask the guys inside the Logwood clubhouse.

 

The nameless individuals at Logwood weren't even keen to attempt it -  especially after the comment by one of the individuals about the likelyhood of it flying off and imbedding itself in the opposite wall.

[Overlord]

Just did a search on your problem and it seems that this is not an isolated case on the 2006 shox.The problems range from loss of pressure to seals that are not up to standard.Maybe you should have the shox serviced and ask for a gaurantee on the work done to save you problems in the future.Hope this helps.

[Dibles]

Thanks. That's what I'm going to do.

 

Was just looking for a quickfix so that I could at least ride yesterday but I realised that without releasing the negative chamber pressure I would probably just damage the shock.