Technical Tuesday - Servicing Your Fox Float Shock

Nov 1, 2010 at 17:09
by Mike Levy  
Fox's Float shock is known for being both reliable and versatile, excelling on all sorts of bikes and terrain. But even this robust little damper needs a bit of TLC every now and then.

Watch the video inside to learn how to replace the air sleeve seals and give your Fox Float shock some much deserved attention.

Fox's Float shock is found on an incredible amount of bikes, from short travel cross country whippets to longer legged all-mountain machines. It's known for being one of the most versatile dampers available and features simple adjustments that any rider can understand without needing a degree in knob turning and vehicle dynamics. In fact, it works so well that a lot of riders simply forget that it requires a bit of love every now and then just like any other product. Thankfully, servicing the Float is just as simple as setting it up. Besides a few tools, all you'll need is a Fox Float rebuild kit that you can source from your local shop, which at under $7.00 USD, is quite inexpensive. Below you'll find a video showing you how to remove the old seals and install the news ones included in the kit.

Some pointers before you begin...

• Take note of your air pressure and rebound settings before starting.
• Be sure to have a Float Rebuild Kit. There is zero point in rebuilding it with your old O-rings.
• Always wear safety glasses, even if you're positive that all of the pressure has been released.
• Be very careful not to scratch the aluminum sealing surface that the O-rings sit in.
• When re-assembling the air sleeve it only needs to be snugged up by hand, not torqued mega tight.


What's needed: Fox Float rebuild kit, shock pump, soft jawed vice, rag and a pointy spoke or awl.


Watch the video to see how to service your Fox Float shock's air sleeve:

Views: 59,035    Faves: 208    Comments: 2


Check out the service guides on the Fox website for more information.

photo
Fox's Float shock seems to go and go, so much so that it can be easy to forget that it may need a little love. Thankfully the Float rebuild kit is inexpensive and fairly easy to install. In only 10 minutes you can have your shock back up and running smooth.

Did you find this Tech Tuesday helpful? Have some of your own hints that you'd like to share? Put them down below!



Past Tech Tuesdays:

Technical Tuesday #1 - How to change a tube.
Technical Tuesday #2 - How to set up your SRAM rear derailleur
Technical Tuesday #3 - How to remove and install pedals
Technical Tuesday #4 - How To Bleed Your Avid Elixir Brakes
Technical Tuesday #5 - How To Check And Adjust Your Headset
Technical Tuesday #6 - How To Fix A Broken Chain
Technical Tuesday #7 - Tubeless Conversion
Technical Tuesday #8 - Chain Wear
Technical Tuesday #9 - SRAM Shift Cable Replacement
Technical Tuesday #10 - Removing And Installing a Headset
Technical Tuesday #11 - Chain Lube Explained
Technical Tuesday #12 - RockShox Totem and Lyric Mission Control Damper Mod
Technical Tuesday #13 - Shimano XT Crank and Bottom Bracket Installation
Technical Tuesday #14 - Straightening Your Derailleur Hanger
Technical Tuesday #15 - Setting Up Your Front Derailleur
Technical Tuesday #16 - Setting Up Your Cockpit
Technical Tuesday #17 - Suspension Basics
Technical Tuesday #18 - Adjusting The Fox DHX 5.0
Technical Tuesday # 19 - Adjusting The RockShox BoXXer World Cup


Visit Parktool.com to see their entire lineup of tools and lubes.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

74 Comments
  • 13 1
 What the fack? Under the video it says it has 16,000,000 comments and under a few thousand views lolwut?
  • 3 0
 Mike, these videos are great, but may I make a suggestion: the difficulty is that your audio track is dubbed over a general video of the shock at various points of disassembly, repair, and reassembly. Often, they are not in sync, and sometimes they don't correlate, at all. I know this format comes across as smooth, but there ends up being a lot lost in the presentation. It would be better and helpful if you didn't have two different tracks. It would require more editing, maybe, but when you say something and point to the actual part, then we'll be able to follow, better. For instance, just pointing out and identifying the parts in the beginning would be helpful. With this video, you were talking about the various seals, main body, canister, etc., but because the two tracks weren't in sync it was not clear to me which seals were which; that is, you're talking but the video is panning over practically the entire shock without your finger pointing out which seal you're talking about, exactly.
  • 5 0
 Very Useful - Helping us keep our rides running smooth & save money on rebuilds. - Thanks tech Tuesday
  • 2 0
 best article every week almost all the time, except like the interbike articles i love those seeing new gear.
  • 1 0
 Unless you have extra seals to replace the ones under the high volume secondary air can I suggest you don't remove it like the start of the video say to do. removing it is unnecessary, as the full service can be preformed without doing so, and it is very easy to damage the seals in there.
Also, most float shocks have 400-500psi of nitrogen charge and will be next to impossible to compress by hand like shown in this video.

Check out the video on the fox service site for another good run down of the service:
service.foxracingshox.com/consumers/Content/Service/Service_Videos/FLOAT_AIRSLEEVE/float_airsleeve_service.html
  • 1 0
 Hey, great video last week i did it to my DHX 5 air, but i have a question: where can i got the 2 seals in the High volume can? and when i need to replace them,also when i'm doing this treatment? because in the air seals kit they not valid...
thanks
  • 1 0
 I like these Mike, I always seem to learn an extra little bit or step out of watching these videos.

I have had couple of times where creaking in the suspension was actually caused by the shock body not being tight enough on RP23's. I would agree they should not be totally cranked on there, but I think they *maybe* should be a little bit more than hand tight? Or does fox say no?
  • 1 0
 Fox say hand tight - "Not to use a strap wrench" etc.
  • 1 0
 what does the hight volume sleeve do as when he took it of it just looked like a cover for it and didnt look like it done anything ??

also a rebuild of a dhx 3.0 would be good
  • 2 0
 There's a tiny tiny hole between the main air chamber and the high volume sleeve, so when the main chamber's pressure increases, that pressurized air is forced through the tiny hole and into the outer chamber that the high volume air sleeve creates. It creates a more linear feel to the shock - it doesn't 'ramp up' as quickly.
  • 1 0
 An ok then that's cool thanks for letting me know
  • 1 0
 Got a second hand trek fuel with a first generation fox float, gunk and oil all over it, Lasted 10 YEARS without a service, came right back to life with some TLC and a rebuild kit, i'm impressed fox.
  • 1 1
 Rebound adjust can be a funny one, might just need a strip and a clean etc, might need a rebuild, might need to be sent off, try stripping it and rebuilding it, if your in the us and can get a kit for $7 thats the cheapest option. Just have a poke around and see if anything is obviously wrong when you take it apart. Hope that helps mate
  • 1 0
 Mike, what about putting float fluid in the first chamber? I've always given the grey teflon shaft a good coating, I think the Fox video does that too.

Good video! And getting that last ring is is always a PITA!
  • 1 0
 Where can I buy the rebuild kit? I've found this site (www.myfoxracingshox.com) but there's no shipping outside of the US.
  • 1 0
 your local bike shop can order one in for you
  • 1 0
 would you be able to do the same tutorial for DHX 5.0 AIR? or if anyone has one please message me
cheers
  • 1 0
 DHX Air is exactly the same and it takes the same kit. Don't open the piggy back! There's no need. If there is a need, send it in.
  • 1 0
 ive worked as a mechanic in a shop for 4 years and i approve this message! lol
  • 2 0
 a rebuild of a fox RL fork would be great
  • 1 0
 $7 for a kit? I think they're taking the piss in the u.k @ £25!!! I know where I'm ordering from next time...
  • 2 0
 What are you on about? 10 quid from Mojo, and they're friendly and helpful...
  • 1 0
 Ooops yeah you're right, it was my 36 seal kit that cost £25.
  • 1 0
 £18 from mojo now. Others do it £17. Still massively expensive compared to US price. Though to be fair not huge price for a service kit.
  • 1 0
 How do you fix the rebound adjustment on an rp23? Propedal still works but the rebound adjust does nothing.
  • 1 0
 Rebound adjust can be a funny one, might just need a strip and a clean etc, might need a rebuild, might need to be sent off, try stripping it and rebuilding it, if your in the us and can get a kit for $7 thats the cheapest option. Just have a poke around and see if anything is obviously wrong when you take it apart. Hope that helps mate

Sorry for multiple post, computer is being REALLY funny.
  • 1 0
 Sweet, just got my Float RP23, feels great that it is so simple to service Smile looks like a faster job than with DHX coil.
  • 1 0
 i have one on my new bike there sick as
  • 1 0
 yeah, 2010 boxxer world cup rebuild tech tuesday please, please, please!!
  • 1 0
 does this rebuild work for a dhx 5.0 AIR also or wat
  • 1 0
 it is similar
  • 1 0
 RC4 and boxxer will be perfect!
  • 1 0
 Awsome! Now give us a DHX 5 rebuild! Smile
  • 1 0
 thats not smt u can do at home..coil shocks are much more complicated to service
  • 1 0
 Yes they are but it's definately possible to do at home. I have a pdf file with the full instructions. Check mtbr forums for that.
  • 1 0
 hope the rocco air is next on the list
  • 1 0
 Rebound adjust can be a funny one, might just need a strip and a clean etc, might need a rebuild, might need to be sent off, try stripping it and rebuilding it, if your in the us and can get a kit for $7 thats the cheapest option. Just have a poke around and see if anything is obviously wrong when you take it apart. Hope that helps mate
  • 1 0
 @k2dan: Even though they said the Rocco shocks are completely serviceable by the home mechanic, Marozcchi Canada says that it is better to just send it in. We got one in earlier this year that was having problems and when I called for a service kit that is what they told me.

As for the Fox Float seal kits, we sell them for right around $10 and they have all the seals for both float and DHX air shocks in them. The Fox air spring service is very easy to do, just be sure to remove the air and valve before you start and stick the rag through the eye to be safe. I watched someone open one up after just letting what he thought was all the air out, but didn't remove the valve. He took the air can in the face and got 6 stitches in his cheek.
For damper service you will still need to send it back to Fox
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I actually didn't notice the rebound adjust was broken until I serviced it and had to close it up again, screwing it back with the rebound on full was really hard. The red knob turns but it doesn't change anything, rebound is fine on it where it is though so I have not sent it in.
  • 1 0
 @pimpadeline: question here, so it is good to take all air from the air can using some needly thing, and then still take the shrader valve out before the disassembly?
  • 1 0
 pimpedaline 'thx for the feed back
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: yes take all the air out first then remove the valve. Even then there may be some air trapped in the negative side so the rag is always a good idea just to be safe. Fox actually has good instructions on their site in the tech area, but after doing a few it becomes second nature.
  • 1 0
 I just hold each part behind my back and pull them apart, just to be safe. And if the shock is 'stuck down', it can really make a big 'POP'.
  • 1 0
 @kitejumping - if you have a hard time screwing it back together, put the shock back on the bike and then compress the suspension - you can squeeze it much easier that way and then just turn the air sleeve to do it up. Make sure your bike is clean so you don't drop dirt into the air chamber.
  • 1 0
 No, you will have more control out of the frame. What we do is put air can end in the vise with soft jaws then use the rag method to open it up, the rag method will keep the air can from coming completely off the shock if there is any air trapped inside. The vise is the only tool I use other then a dull dental pick when servicing a air shock. If you can't get the air can to turn with your bare hands just use an old inner tube to get grip. iamamodel's suggestion sounds like a good one too, but I have yet to not be able to get one back together, but if I do I will have to try it, but the behind the back idea doesn't sound good to me. If it works for him then so be it and he can do it I just wouldn't suggest it to others.
  • 1 0
 What about rebuilding the damper?
  • 1 0
 You need to send that in. Don't ever take it apart.
  • 1 0
 do fox 40 rebuild!
  • 1 0
 hahahaha shaft
  • 1 0
 Thanks, Mike!
  • 1 0
 those floats are rad
  • 1 0
 Boxxer Rebuild!
  • 1 0
 do a vivid 5.1 next
  • 1 2
 Does anyone know will the Fox Float rebuild kit fit X-fusion o2 shock ?
  • 3 0
 No, completely different shocks.
  • 1 2
 i swear he didnt put the extra volume canister back on?
  • 8 4
 How do we know when it is necessary to do this? Fork Rebuild please. I know everyone wants to see a Boxxer rebuild.
  • 6 1
 ya, boxxer for sure!
  • 2 1
 2010 boxxer rebuild would be usefull
  • 8 4
 2010 boxxer rebuild is easaaaaay, dhx 5 or rc4 rebuild please
  • 19 4
 haha he looks like a retard in the still frame before you play the video when you first load the page
  • 1 0
 2010 boxxer has all of 5 peices, it's not rocket science, also tf tune have a video of that already.
  • 1 0
 "Views:2745 Faves:25 Comments:16777209"

hahaha lol glittchyyy
  • 1 0
 2010 boxxer has all of 5 peices, it's not rocket science, also tf tune have a video of that already.
  • 1 0
 +1 for the Boxxer rebuild. Probably the most common fork that people do their own servicing on. It's pretty easy, but I'm sure it would help a lot of people.
  • 1 0
 id like an 888 rebuild vid
  • 1 0
 i think he looks like a junkie XD
  • 2 0
 I think he does that on all of these on purpose. Every freeze frame posted up makes me want to say MMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAATTTTTTTTTT DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYMMMMMMMMOOON
  • 1 0
 Can i request a 2011 40 rebuild please?
  • 1 0
 also when you pause it randomly
  • 1 0
 how about a 40
  • 2 0
 like he just took a huge rip on a bong lol
  • 1 1
 i could do a boxxer race blindfolded its easy... the wc and team are a bit difficult...







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