Step 1

Check for clearance before riding.

If you are installing your shock on a bike for which the shock was not original equipment, follow the steps below to ensure proper clearance before riding.

1. Remove the coil spring from your shock.
2. Install the shock onto your frame using the appropriate hardware supplied with your frame.
3. Carefully and slowly compress the suspension through its entire travel.
4. Check that no part of your shock contacts any portion of your frame or linkage as it cycles through its travel.
5. Remove the shock from your frame, reinstall the coil spring, and reinstall your shock. Check that the spring does not contact any portion of your frame or linkage.
6. Set sag as described in the "Setting Coil Spring Preload" section below.

Step 1

Make sure that your shock is ready to ride

1. Clean the outside of your shock with mild soap and water and wipe dry with a soft rag.
   • Do not use any solvents or de-greasers as these products can damage the shock's exterior finish.
   • Do not use a high pressure washer or spray water directly at the seal/shock body junction.
2. Inspect the exterior of your shock. The shock should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged
   • Contact your local FOX dealer or FOX directly for further inspection or repair.
3. Make sure that your quick-release levers (or thru-axles) are properly adjusted and tightened.
4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to your bicycle manufacturer's recommendations.
5. Check that all brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. Test the proper operation of your front and rear brakes on level ground.

Step 1

Sag should be set to ~30% of total shock travel

1. Measure the eye-to-eye distance of your bike's shock mounts.
2. With the help of a friend, mount the bike in your normal riding position with your normal riding gear and measure eye-to-eye distance again.
3. The difference between the two measurements is sag.
   • To increase sag, turn the preload adjuster counter-clockwise. If you cannot achieve 30% sag by turning the preload adjuster, you will need to obtain a lower rate spring.
   • To decrease sag, turn the preload adjuster clockwise no more than two full turns. If you cannot achieve 30% sag by turning the preload adjuster, you will need to obtain a higher rate spring.
   • To change to a higher or lower rate spring, see the Changing Coil Springs section below.

Step 1

If necessary, changing coils can help you achieve proper sag.

Removing The Coil Spring:

The coil spring can be removed to check for shock clearance within the frame, or to change to a higher or lower rate spring.

1. Turn the preload adjuster counter-clockwise approximately 8 clicks.
2. Move the coil spring and spring retainer toward the preload adjuster.
3. Remove the round wire retaining ring that holds the spring retainer to the shaft eyelet, then remove the spring retainer.
4. Slide the coil spring off the shock body. You may need to remove mounting hardware if it interferes with spring removal.

INSTALLING THE COIL SPRING:

1. Install the coil spring onto the shock body.
2. Install the spring retainer onto the shock with the protruding section positioned inside of the coil spring. Install the round wire retaining ring into its groove, making sure to seat it fully.
3. Slide the spring retainer back over the installed wire ring and ensure it is fully seated over the wire ring.
4. Tighten the preload adjuster just until the spring no longer moves, then turn the preload 8 clicks.
5. Set the sag according to instructions online at www.ridefox.com.

Step 1

Rebound controls how fast the shock extends after compressing

The rebound adjustment is dependent on the coil spring rate. For example, higher coil spring rates require more rebound damping.

Low-speed Rebound (LSR) adjustment is useful to control shock performance during brake bumps, technical climbing, and offcamber cornering, when extra traction is needed. Turning the 3mm Hex clockwise (in) slows down Low-speed rebound, turning the 3mm Hex counter-clockwise (out) speeds up Low-speed rebound.

Adjust rebound until when tested, the shock returns quickly but does not top out.

Top out is felt when a shock fully extends too quickly and comes to an abrupt stop when it reaches full extension (you will hear/feel a small noise). Top out should be avoided through proper rebound setting.

Step 1

Turn the blue LSC adjuster clockwise by hand, to increase low-speed compression damping. The LSC adjuster primarily affects the compression damping during slow speed suspension movements, such as pedaling, g-outs or smooth jump landings. It also affects the wheel traction and harshness (or plushness) of your bicycle. 

Step 1

To best maintain the performance and durability of your product under normal use, FOX recommends that you have regular fork and shock maintenance performed according to the service intervals listed below.

*Suspension product will require more frequent servicing the harder they are worked. For those who ride lift-accessed DH, Park, or Extreme Freeride or in extremely wet/muddy or dry/dusty environmental conditions where trail debris is sprayed onto the fork or shock while on the trail, or e-mtb's, FOX encourages riders to perform maintenance earlier than recommended above as needed. If you hear, see, or feel something unusual, stop riding immediately and contact a FOX Authorized Service Center for proper servicing.