sticky shocks on commencal normal

homerjay
homerjay Posts: 154
edited June 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
hi all

BIL has a really odd issue, which i have no logical explanation for, hoping someone could shed some light.

he has a 2008 commencal normal, this one:

normal.jpg

i believe the shocks are RockShox Dart 2 w/turnkey, 100mm travel

obviously been though a fair bit of abuse in last couple of years, but last night the shocks just froze up, no compression at all.

unless

you stop, put the front brake on and then try and compress, they work fine like this. a bit sticky but do work.

if you take the brake off, they get stuck again and will not move at all.

how is this even technically possible!?

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    worn bushes/lowers. fork is locking up under load.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 200
    Shocks do need servicing, they will not last forever simply because seals are rubber therefore perishable over time/use. I wouldn't think it would make sense getting dart 2 serviced at say TF Tuned. You could strip it down yourself and have a look if you're feeling confident.
  • homerjay
    homerjay Posts: 154
    never done a fork service before.

    any guides or tips? what parts would be required? and approx cost?

    what would be the approx cost to get a lbs to do it, if fact it could go back to merlin, its only round the corner.

    i'll put it to my BIL and see what he says.

    cheers guys
  • homerjay
    homerjay Posts: 154
    hmm, according to http://www.tftunedshox.com/service/rockshox.aspx

    its gonna cost £90 for service and bushings

    its only £110 for a brand new set

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... s/list.htm
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 200
    Evans charge £75 plus £10 p&p for front fork service. That's for oil and seals only.
  • homerjay
    homerjay Posts: 154
    i deffo think a self service is on the cards here.

    no doubt i'll be getting my hands dirty.

    right, what do i need?
  • jimexbox
    jimexbox Posts: 200
    homerjay wrote:
    its gonna cost £90 for service and bushings

    its only £110 for a brand new set

    That's my point, sometimes it doesn't make economic sense getting them professionally serviced. I wouldn't buy Dart 2 as a replacement either, far better option for a little more cash.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    download the service info from Srams webby.

    every think you need is listed and also how to do it.

    Be aware that the fork may not have any bushes and the lowers maybe trash.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown

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