SERVICE PROCEDURES
2012-2015 34mm Fork- Upgrading to the FLOAT NA Air Spring
Required Parts
- 025-03-010 Oil: AM, FOX Bath Oil [32 oz.], 20 WT Gold
- 803-00-945 Kit: Dust Wiper, Forx, 34mm, Low Friction, No Flange
Required Tools
- 027-00-018 Pump: Fox Digital HP w/ Bleed, Foldable, Replaceable Battery, 350 psi, Swivel Head
- 398-00-681 2002-017 32 Damper-side and ALL 32-34-36-40 Spring-side Removal Tool
- 398-00-682 2005-017 34-36-40 Damper-side Removal Tool
- 398-00-707 Tooling: Fork Topcap Socket, 28mm V2, 3/8 Drive
- 398-00-771 Tooling: Guided Fork Seal Driver, One Piece Seal/Wiper, 34
WARNING: Always wear safety glasses and protective gloves during service to prevent potential injury. Failure to wear protective equipment during service may lead to SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
2012-2015 34mm FLOAT and TALAS forks can be upgraded with a version of the award-winning FLOAT NA air spring system currently used in the 36mm forks. The FLOAT NA air spring system makes internal travel changes easy and reduces the force to initiate travel, providing excellent sensitivity and small bump compliance for all riders and all pressure settings.
When upgrading to the FLOAT NA air spring system, you may not increase travel of your fork unless you do not exceed the maximum travel of the damper and chassis that originally came in your fork. You may inquire as to the max travel of your damper by contacting FOX with your forks serial number or 4-digit product code.
You must install the new no-flange dust wipers when upgrading to the FLOAT NA air spring system. Installation instructions are in the procedure below. 34mm no-flange dust wipers, foam rings, and the required crush washers can be found in kit: PN 803-00-945.
To upgrade an existing 2012-2015 34mm fork with the FLOAT NA Air Spring System, order one of the kits listed below. Each kit will contain all of the necessary air spring parts needed to convert an existing fork. The kit will come pre-configured for the travel being purchased and will include any needed neg plate spacers. The Transfer shaft will be pre-set in the Transfer Hole location appropriate for the travel being purchased.
26in/27.5in | ||
Part | Description | Configuration |
820-01-402-KIT | Service Set: 2013-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 26-27.5in 160, FLOAT NA | Hole #2/ No Spacers |
820-01-403-KIT | Service Set: 2013-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 26-27.5in 150, FLOAT NA | Hole #3/ 1 Spacer |
820-01-404-KIT | Service Set: 2013-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 26-27.5in 140, FLOAT NA | Hole #4/ 2 Spacers |
29in | ||
Part | Description | Configuration |
820-01-405-KIT | Service Set: 2012-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 29in 150, FLOAT NA | Hole #3/ No Spacers |
820-01-406-KIT | Service Set: 2012-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 29in 140, FLOAT NA | Hole #4/ 1 Spacer |
820-01-407-KIT | Service Set: 2012-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 29in 130, FLOAT NA | Hole #5/ 2 Spacers |
820-01-408-KIT | Service Set: 2012-2015 Retro Air Spring Assy, 34 29in 120, FLOAT NA | Hole #6/ 3 Spacers |
The FLOAT NA air spring system can be adjusted down to lower travel settings in 10mm increments. To shorten travel you will need one Neg Plate Spacer (PN: 234-04-627) for each 10mm reduction in travel desired.
- 26in, 27.5in, and 29in forks can be reduced in travel down to 120mm after upgrading to the FLOAT NA air spring system.
The instructions below guide you through the removal of any 2012-2015 FLOAT or TALAS air spring system and the installation of the FLOAT NA air spring. Please follow the removal instructions specific to the air spring that originally came in your fork.
WARNING: FOX products should be serviced by a qualified bicycle service technician, in accordance with FOX specifications. If you have any doubt whether or not you can properly service your FOX product, then DO NOT attempt it. Improperly serviced products can fail, causing the rider to lose control resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING: FOX suspension products contain pressurized nitrogen, air, oil, or all 3. Suspension misuse can cause property damage, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT puncture, incinerate or crush any portion of a FOX suspension product. DO NOT attempt to disassemble any portion of a FOX suspension product, unless expressly instructed to do so by the applicable FOX technical documentation, and then ONLY while strictly adhering to all FOX insturctions and warnings in that instance.
WARNING: Modification, improper service, or use of aftermarket replacement parts with FOX forks and shocks may cause the product to malfunction, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT modify any part of a fork or shock, including the fork brace (lower leg cross brace), crown, steerer, upper and lower leg tubes, or internal parts, except as instructed herein. Any unauthorized modification may void the warranty, and may cause failure or the fork or shock, resulting in SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
If converting a 2012-2013 TALAS 4 fork, please skip to the TALAS 4 removal by clicking: Removing the TALAS 4 Air Spring (2012-2013) »
If converting a 2014-2015 TALAS 5 fork, please skip to TALAS 5 removal by clicking: Removing the TALAS 5 Air Spring (2014-2015) »
Removing the Original FLOAT Air Spring (2012-2015)
Step 5
Use Damper Removal Tools 398-00-681 and 398-00-682 to dislodge the shafts from the lowers. Make sure that you have approximately half of the available threads engaged with your tool before striking with your mallet. Remove the damper removal tools, then bring the fork upright over an oil basin to drain. After oil stops draining from the lowers, pull the lowers off of the upper tubes and set them aside.
WARNING: Please verify that all air has been released from the air chamber by pushing down on the Schrader valve core. Failure to release all air pressure before further disassembly may cause parts to eject causing SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
If converting a FLOAT fork, please skip to Dust Wiper installation by clicking: Installing the Updated No-Flange Dust Wipers »
Removing the TALAS 4 Air Spring (2012-2013)
Step 5
Use Damper Removal Tool 398-00-682 to dislodge the damper-side shaft from the lowers. Make sure that you have approximately half of the available damper-side threads engaged with your tool before striking with your mallet. No tools are needed for dislodging the TALAS 4 shaft from the lowers. Remove the damper removal tool, then bring the fork upright over an oil basin to drain. After oil stops draining from the lowers, pull the lowers off of the upper tubes and set them aside.
WARNING: Please verify that all air has been released from the air chamber by pushing down on the Schrader valve core. Failure to release all air pressure before further disassembly may cause parts to eject causing SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
If converting a TALAS 4 fork, please skip to the Dust Wiper installation by clicking: Installing the Updated No-Flange Dust Wipers »
Removing the TALAS 5 Air Spring (2014-2015)
Step 5
Use Damper Removal Tools 398-00-681 and 398-00-682 to dislodge the shafts from the lowers. Make sure that you have approximately half of the available threads engaged with your tool before striking with your mallet. Remove the damper removal tools, then bring the fork upright over an oil basin to drain. After oil stops draining from the lowers, pull the lowers off of the upper tubes and set them aside.
WARNING: Please verify that all air has been released from the air chamber by pushing down on the Schrader valve core. Failure to release all air pressure before further disassembly may cause parts to eject causing SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH.
Installing the Updated No-Flange Dust Wipers
Step 2
Using a wooden or plastic dowel is the recommended method for removing the dust wipers and foam rings. If you choose to use a wrench or other metallic tool, use extra caution not to scratch the inner wall of the magnesium lower leg, as you lever out the dust wiper. Do this by making sure the tip of your metallic tool is cushioned from the magnesium lower leg by the foam ring, just below the dust wiper.
Installing the FLOAT NA Air Spring
Step 1
Coat the first 2 inches (50mm) of the inside of the air side upper tube with a thin film of Slick Honey. Grease the Piston and Piston Shaft above the Negative Plate with Slick Honey.
Insert the Air Shaft Assembly into the upper tube, seating the Negative Plate Tube fully into the upper tube to expose the retaining ring groove.
Note: Make sure that the Shaft is fully extended before installing the Topcap Assembly.
Step 5
Install the Lower Leg Assembly onto the upper tubes. Inject the approprate amount of FOX 20wt. Gold oil into each leg through the bottom hole.
Air Side Bath Volume | 20wt. Gold Oil |
34mm FLOAT 110mm-120mm | 25cc |
34mm FLOAT 130mm-160mm | 10cc |
Damper-side bath oil volumes specific to your fork can be found under "Fork- Basic Maintenance" by clicking: All Service Procedures »
Information guiding you through the setup and usage of the FLOAT NA air spring can be found at: Setting Fork Air Pressure »