Problem with Rockshox Reba

gready

I got a second hand bike with the above fork and realised the -ve chamber wasnt holding pressue, new to this so read around and a few suggestions were to turn bike upside down release pressure in bottom, then top, then fill top then bottom a few times incase the O rings were dry. Did this once then left it over night and again pressure dropped over night. Thought I would give it another go tonight before sending the fork off for a service and about 20 minutes after pumping up both chambers to 150psi (top first) the oil seal around the leg popped up - Oops :oops: so what went wrong!? I thought I must have not pumped the top chamber up enough, checked and still sat at 150psi.

so few questions:
- What caused the seal to pop out?
- I guess it needs at least an air service, thoughts on doing this at home? (im ok with a spanner)
- The top chamber is holding pressure - can I still ride it lockout without causing damage?
- Should I replace the seals too as one poped out? if so I guess sending off to get service is TF tuned the ideal place?

Thanks and sorry for all the questions.

supersonic

Replace all o rings - the air is leaking outside the cartridge into the main fork body, then blowing the seals out.

Service guide available from SRAM website.

stumpyjon

Rebas are fairly easy to service so if you're handy with a spanner you should be OK. There's full guides on the SRAM / Rockshox site. You do need circlip pliers but nothing more fancy. Ideally you also need the two service kits, will set you back around £ 40 plus oil, another £ 10. You can get the kits from TFTuned. Oil is readily available.

TFTuned are good if you don't want to service them yourself, they'll also spot and be able to fix other issues like bushing wear. I recommend them as a service centre based on my experience of them but you get much change out of £ 100 for a full service but at least you'll know they're in top condition.

gready

Thanks for the replys.

Decided to do the air service myself - might as well learn now, If that goes ok will do damper side another day.

cavegiant

bravo, forks are normally quite easy to service and once you have had a look inside it is normally quite easy to work out how to tune the damping circuit more to your preference.

The damping circuit was done on my dorado using nothing more than a penknife and a ton of chianti.

diy

Before buying a seal kit, I would strip and re-lube. If your seals are dry they will leak air. It might just be the cost of some 5w and 15w fork oil, which will set you back under a 10er. Even less if you buy from a motorcycle shop. Same stuff - bigger can.

I went down the expense of a moco and wiper seals kit recently for my rebas and while the fork improved no end, there was nothing really wrong with the seals that a quick dip in fork oil wouldn't fix.

Also its possible that all the oil has fallen out of you lower legs from filling and draining the -ive chamber.

There are some good videos from SRAM on youtube which make the job easier.