"help, I'm losing my air"

buzz1

Can anybody help?, I have a manitou X3 swinger SPV shock which needs pumping up every time I get it out, I usualy run it at between 150-175 psi but if I dont ride it for a few days it loses around 50% of that, has anyone else had issues with one of these?

1mancity2

does it need a service?

buzz1

To be honest it's always done it, haven't really done that many miles on it to warrant a service, but might just chuck it in the lbs, wouldnt hurt I guess. Does anyone know the going rate for a shock service?

cooldad

A lot. Look at DIY normally just a case of replacing O rings.

buzz1

Cheers, I'll Google it

Danlube

What are you using to lubricate the damper shaft?

buzz1

I use a spray lube that I use for chains and derailleurs.

cooldad

Not a good idea. Chains and mechs need different lube anyway, and neither would be particularly suitable for a shock.

Danlube

To lubricate damper shafts on shocks and stanchions on forks you need to use "fork juice" available at crc and good lbs's. Or at least use a tiny drop of wet lube "finish line or muc off" spray in a can stuff is not up to the job and will just simply evaporate leaving the seals dry, which in turn wear both themselves aswell as the damper shaft and stanchion. Resulting in loss of air. I reckon this could be your problem, new seals will solve the problem.

buzz1

argh crap, cheers guys.
just checked out service prices, my local evans do it for £45, so looked at DIY, looks like a lot can go wrong so might have to just suffer the 45 quid