Reverb stuck down

larkim

Stealth reverb is stuck down on son's bike. Dug out the bleed documentation and videos, and then discovered a) that bleed is supposed to be done with post extended and b) the fluid I've got has leaked out from the bottle so I don't actually have any to hand (order now placed!).

I read here viewtopic.php?t=13071726 that there is a "quick fix" which someone used whilst out on the trail with their mate - but the thread it links to suggests a straightforward bleed, and I doubt many riders head off with a bottle of fluid and two syringes so that they can bleed a reverb half way around. So is there a "quick fix" which I'm missing somewhere (e.g. like the one where you get a cable tie and use it to release pressure in a fork which is stuck compressed down or similar)?

Or is it a case of 1) buy fluid 2) release air pressure from the dropper 3) bleed as per instructions / video 4) pump air back in 5) bleed again etc to get it back up?

cooldad

I heard stuck down needs more than a bleed, and found this on the Epic site.

"This is a great kit at the price; Only thing I'd add is a bit of PTFE tape around the thread that goes into the seatpost as this kept leaking. The bleed process was a nightmare but this wasn't the fault of the product, but the seat post. I had to bleed four times.

This may help some of you: My post was stuck in the down position and no amount of bleeding was fixing this. What I did in the end:

1. Let all the air out of the post.
2. Used electrical tape to hold the lever down (new type lever, you may need someone to help you with the old style.
3. Held the nose of the saddle under my foot on the ground inverted with the post facing upwards and physically pulled the lower shaft upwards to extend the post to its max height.
4. While holding it extended, pumped the air back in to the stated PSI.
5. released the lever and rebled

This worked for me."

Big fan of their kits, cheap and work well

https://www.epicbleedsolutions.com/prod ... plete-kit/

larkim

Cheers, ironically ordered an Epic Bleed kit for brakes just yesterday.

Will try the "no amount of bleeds" first to see if that does sort it; if not, then the technique above may come into play!

billycool

When mine went stupid I bought a new one.

Let me know if it works, as I've got the other one in the shed. I even bought a basic service kit but did nothing with it.

david7m

I sent mine away to Bolton for a basic service - will try to find advert but it was through eBay and they were very good. There and back within a week.
I store it extended and keep it clean.
Dave

david7m

£39 and done - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3403612405

Dave

david7m

You'll still need to bleed it yourself if wired as stealth.
Dave

bobbydigital

Get your 34mm spanner out.

larkim

Got it moving up and down (slowly). Is the 250psi air pressure meant to be 250psi when extended or when compressed? I’m guessing extended. I presume if the shock pump is attached when it is compressed I should see a significant increase in pressure?

eric_draven

larkim wrote:

Got it moving up and down (slowly). Is the 250psi air pressure meant to be 250psi when extended or when compressed? I’m guessing extended. I presume if the shock pump is attached when it is compressed I should see a significant increase in pressure?

250psi is when the post is extended,I tend to think I read somewhere that the pressure does increase when the post is dropped,this is what makes the older ones soft top with about 20mm of drop,as it forces air past one of the o rings

billycool

david7m wrote:

£39 and done - https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3403612405

Dave

Good shout. I'll have a look at that.

steve_sordy

I reduced the air pressure of the Reverb to about 175psi as I didn't need 250psi for it to work properly. It now needs less force to actuate it (downwards) and it must reduce the stress on the internal seals.

Any other opinions?

david7m

I couldnt get my pump to undo without losing most of the air
Should be better for the system if it works on less pressure.
Dave

steve_sordy

david7m wrote:

I couldnt get my pump to undo without losing most of the air
Should be better for the system if it works on less pressure.
Dave

There is always some sound of air escaping from the pressure hose on your shock pump as you remove it. But if you already know that and are still concerned, then it is probably a faulty Schrader valve. I had one of those on a brand new Fox shock. The nipple in the centre was a fraction too long and it allowed too much air to escape no matter how rapidly I unscrewed the shock pump head. I've never removed a Schrader valve core, but I know it takes seconds, so how hard can it be?

david7m

I've a valve core tool and replaced it - didnt work for me. It would have been easy if the pump a push on fit, but guess they would give way with 250 psi
Dave

larkim

A few cycles of pressurising / releasing resulted in the seat returning slowly to fully extended, so bled the system as per usual and it's all back in full working order, surprisingly quick action once you've got used to it slowing down gradually over time.

Fluid was filthy, so probably should have completely flushed it, but that'll have to wait until next time.