36 VAN RC2 & R

Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Adjusting High-Speed Compression | Adjusting Low-Speed Compression | Changing the Coil Spring | Service Intervals | Important Safety Information

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. Clicking on the link above will take you to a new page.

Before You Ride

1. Check that the 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened.
2. Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag.

   Note:  Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs, steerers).

   Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.

3. Inspect entire exterior of fork for damage. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
4. Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
5. Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.

Setting Sag

You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag.

To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set and adjust sag. Generally, sag should be set to 15 – 25% of total fork travel.

1. Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.
2. Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.
3. Being careful not to further compress the fork, dismount the bicycle. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This distance is sag.
4. Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.
   
   If sag is lower than in the table, turn the preload knob (shown below) counter-clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
   
   If sag is higher than in the table, turn the preload knob clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary. If correct sag cannot be achieved by adjusting the preload knob, see the 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines table below. You may need to change to a coil spring with a different spring rate.
   
   

   

   
   

   36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines
   FOX Part #	Spring Rate	Color Code	Travel Range	Rider Weight Lbs.
   039-05-050	35 lb/in	Black	160	<90–115
   039-05-051	40 lb/in	Purple	160	115–155
   039-05-052	45 lb/in	Blue	160	150–180
   039-05-053	50 lb/in	Green	160	175–210
   039-05-054	55 lb/in	Yellow	160	205–240+

   
   

   Sag Setup
   Travel	Race FIRM	Freeride PLUSH
   160 mm (6.3")	24 mm (15/16")	40 mm (1.5")

   
   

   Sag Troubleshooting
   Symptom	Remedy
   Too much sag	Change to higher rate coil spring
   Too little sag	Change to lower rate coil spring
   Excessive bottoming	Change to higher rate coil spring
   Harsh ride; full travel not utilized	Change to lower rate coil spring

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 15 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counterclockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counterclockwise (out) 8 clicks.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

High-speed compression damping controls the force it takes to move the fork through its travel and how the wheel reacts to a bump. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 15 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of the rider’s weight shifts and bike attitude under braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 17 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Hydraulic Bottom-Out System

The 36 VAN is equipped with a patent-pending Internally Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom-Out Control System. This feature can be adjusted inside the cartridge by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center. It comes preset from the factory at the FIRM setting.

Changing the Coil Spring

Note:  36 VAN forks cannot be reduced in travel.

1. With a 32 mm 6-point socket wrench, loosen and remove the preload topcap (top of left leg).
2. Compress the fork slightly and remove the coil spring. You may need to firmly pull up on the spring to disengage it from the plunger shaft.
3. Wipe the spring dry with a rag and check its color code.
4. Install the new spring by dropping it into the upper tube, then torque the top cap to 165 in-lbs (1864 N-cm).
5. Rotate the fork to a horizontal position and shake it. This lubricates the spring before its first push into travel.
6. Measure and set sag.

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