Leaking rock shock damper fix?

[ishaw]

Despite being serviced recently, and with hardly any use since, I've spotted an oil leak on my forks.

Maybe I missed an o-ring when I serviced them? Which one though?

Oil seems to be coming from the top of the damper, perhaps the dial spindle but not 100% sure as I've not taken them apart yet, as I want to have the parts to fix when I do if possible.

 

[Duxuk]

Pages 8,9 and 10 of this guide have schematic diagrams of this type of fork. It may help. It looks as if the seal under the top cap may be leaking. I'd take them to bits again and see if any oil has leaked anywhere else.
https://sram-cdn-pull-zone-gsdesign.net ... _rev_d.pdf

 

[Duxuk]

Looking at the guide I'm guessing your fork has the motion control arrangement on page 49!
I'd just check that the seal on the top cap is installed correctly, not kinked or trapped in some way. Replacing it will surely cure your problem. BTW I've just posted about my own shock rebuild so now, obviously, qualify as an expert? It rode like a new bike today and it should be starting it's GCSEs this year!

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Cheers, I recall replacing all the seals in the guide but I'll pop the top off and check them. I suspect the leak may be coming from the top of the damper, and there's a tiny o-ring not in the service guide that will probably need replacing.

I read your rear shock rebuild thread. I need to service a risse shock and there's no guide for that that I've found online. I may take your lead and just open it up to see what's inside. I've a 'spare' I can try it on first, though my aim is to transplant the body from it over to a new unit, as the used one has rebound damping so hopefully I'll not ruin it and get the confidence needed not to break the new one when I operate.

 

[Duxuk]

A lot of the more modern shocks don't use nitrogen charging so they can be a bit easier. I noticed that a lot of the Rockshox forks have an expanding bladder to allow the damper rod to push in. You can't go wrong if it's just the air can you're opening but the damping fluid is another level. Still, I'm glad I did it. A 2004 bike is riding like brand new!

 

[Duxuk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0esyjmS1Pc8
Is your Risse shock anything like this? It looks easy enough. I just Googled "Risse shock rebuild". There were other helpful things.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Cheers, I've seen that and a few other vids. The new shock I have is the same, the used has rebound (astro model) and I want to try and make the new one rebound adjustable. I've only found a guide on how to change the o rings on the body, not anything useful like oil volume, weight etc.

 

[fotorat1]

The shock in that video looks just like my fox ALPS 5 R shock - I re-filled that with 10W oil and it is working fine. infact it works very well indeed.