Reba Turnkey lower service problem

paultownsend
paultownsend Posts: 87
edited April 2012 in MTB workshop & tech
After reading on this very site on how to do a lower service on my dual air reba's i thought id give it a go.

The forks in question are from my Specialized Camber- 2011 Reba dual air turnkey. Im not sure how this basic damper alters things.

So i-

De pressurised -ve chamber
De pressurised +ve chamber
Removed air side locking nut
Removed damper side allen bolt
Tapped through air side piston shaft

And then the first problem. At this point i expected the lowers to slide off the stanchions, but there was a firm metallic knock preventing me from doing so. They would not come off.

So i tried re-assembly. Damper side allen bolt torqued up fine. Air side shaft spins when trying to torque. is this normal?

Turnkey lockout would initially not work. Then suddenly started after removal and fettling of dial. It also seems that they seem softer at my usual 150/150psi pressure. Iv had to up it to 180/180psi.

I can rebuild an engine, how have i gone wrong here!

Paul

Comments

  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    paultownsend wrote:
    So i tried re-assembly. Damper side allen bolt torqued up fine. Air side shaft spins when trying to torque. is this normal?
    Because of the neg air valve, the threads arent catching when you're torquing up the shaft bolt, it is a bit of trial and error, i had that same issue. I think i made sure the neg air valve was sticking all the way out before torquing that side up.

    Also re: the soft feeling, are you sure that isn't just because you've serviced them and maybe removed some stiction making them feel freer? Did you test the sag you are now getting? Unless you opened up the actual damper, nothing should feel drastically different!
  • paultownsend
    paultownsend Posts: 87
    il clean the threads up and give them a drop of oil.

    i still don't know why i couldn't remove the lowers though? as i couldn't, there was no service at all! not even a change of oil.
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    paultownsend wrote:
    il clean the threads up and give them a drop of oil.

    i still don't know why i couldn't remove the lowers though? as i couldn't, there was no service at all! not even a change of oil.
    I'm not sure why you couldn't remove the lowers. I can't remember the process for removing them off the top of my head but i do think i also had trouble removing them. Unscrewed everything as far as you can/should? Let all the air out of both chambers?
  • paultownsend
    paultownsend Posts: 87
    Yep completely de pressured. I can't understand it. SRAM tech site just says undo bottom bolts and away you go
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    As i say it took me a few attemps to remove the lowers once i'd undone everything.

    Try using this video if you didn't already, it is fairly useful and tells you what to do if they don't come off and how to tell if one side is still engadged etc.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl0GdF0w5hI
    Good luck!
  • ste_t
    ste_t Posts: 1,599
    My revs took a couple of decent whacks where the guide said 'taps' in order to free the lowers. Maybe you're just being a tad cautous?
  • paultownsend
    paultownsend Posts: 87
    Il get the hammer out!
  • ste_t
    ste_t Posts: 1,599
    I hope you mean rubber mallet!
  • paultownsend
    paultownsend Posts: 87
    Of course.
    I'm hoping this is the first and final home service before loco slips in a cheeky rct3 DNA damping circuit

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