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oil coming from fork?


sunny's picture

By sunny - Posted on 08 October 2010

I've got a Rock Shox Revelation on my old 2006 Giant Reign 2. Hadn't had a ride in a while and had a 55km ride on the long weekend.

The fork felt a little stiff and when I got home I got out the shock pump and set +ve and -ve to 75psi (I'm ~65kg). When I was letting air out though there there was actually oil coming out (enough that there was oil coming out of the shock pump's air release button).

I take it this is not normal? The fork feels fine otherwise though.

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Buck's picture

I would say it's OK. There is oil in the air chambers to lubricate the seals on the air piston.

Noel's picture

I read recently that if you haven't ridden for a while to turn it upside down for a bit before riding to help that oil get to those seals OR apply some mineral oil around the seals before each ride. Was a magazine or something in the last 2 months.

Buck's picture

Yes that is a good tip too Noel. Turning it upside down gets fork oil on the foam rings under the dust wipers on the fork. This ensures the stanchions are well lubricated.

This is a different oil to that in the air chamber though.

Noel's picture

Yeah I had oil come out a coulple of times when using the shockpump and it was quite thick and smelt like grease, bit like engine oil but it looked clearer and thicker.

What is the actual stuff that I should use on the stantions (sp?)? People say "mineral oil". Does that just mean it's not synthetic? What's a "mineral oil". What about that "3 in 1" little oil you can buy in Woolworths for multipurpose around the house? Is that a "mineral oil"? What about a bit of engine oil?

I can't help the John Laws jokes in relation to oils:
"Cause the oiler an oil the better it protects"
"Valvoline, you know what I mean"
"People Who know, use Valvoline"

Buck's picture

Well for Fox's the air chamber has Fox Float Fluid in it. It's a thick blue lube.

Why not just use the proper oil on the stanchion? I used motorbike fork oil when servicing my fork.

LadyToast's picture
sunny's picture

Thanks for the replies, feel much relieved Smiling

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