36 VAN 180

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

NOTE:  This fork is designed to use the downhill brake system only. The disc brake caliper mounts directly to the fork leg and is positioned specifically for the use of 200-225 mm rotors.

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. If your fork came pre-installed on your bicycle, continue to the next section.

Before You Ride

1. Check that your 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 the entire exterior of your fork. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
4. Check your headset adjustment. If loose, adjust it accordingly 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.

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. Unless your fork already has a sag setting o-ring on an upper tube, install a zip tie to an upper tube. Slide the o-ring or zip tie down against the scraper lip of the fork dust seal.
2. Dressed to ride, position your bike next to a wall or table to support yourself. Without bouncing, mount your bicycle. Assume a normal riding position for at least 30 seconds, allowing the suspension to fully settle.
3. Dismount your bike without bouncing downward, without further moving the o-ring or zip tie. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This measurement is your sag value.
4. Compare your sag measurement value to the appropriate value in the Sag Setup table:
   
   

   Sag Setup
   Travel	XC/Race FIRM	Freeride PLUSH
   160 mm (6.3")	24.0 mm (0.94")	40.0 mm (0.75")
   170 mm (6.7")	25.5 mm (1.00")	42.5 mm (1.67")
   180 mm (7.1")	27.0 mm (1.06")	45.0 mm (1.77")

   
   

   If your sag measurement value is less than the Sag Setup table value: turn the preload knob counter-clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat this adjustment if necessary.

   If your sag measurement value is greater than the Sag Setup table value: turn the preload knob clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and this repeat adjustment if necessary.

   NOTE:  If you cannot achieve correct sag by adjusting the preload knob, you may need to change your VAN coil spring to one with the appropriate spring rate for your weight and fork travel.

   See the Sag Troubleshooting table, and given the travel length of your fork, see either the 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm or 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm table. If you are uncertain as to which coil spring is the original specification, see Changing the Coil Spring.

   
   

   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

   
   

   36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm
   FOX Part #	Spring Rate ±8%	Color Code	Rider Weight Lbs.
   039-05-100	35 lb/in	Black	<90–115
   039-05-101	40 lb/in	Purple	115–155
   039-05-102	45 lb/in	Blue (default)	150–180
   039-05-103	50 lb/in	Green	175–210
   039-05-104	55 lb/in	Yellow	205–240+

   
   

   36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm
   FOX Part #	Spring Rate ±8%	Color Code	Rider Weight Lbs.
   039-05-090	31.4 lb/in	Black	<90–115
   039-05-091	35.9 lb/in	Purple	115–155
   039-05-092	40.4 lb/in	Blue (default)	150–180
   039-05-093	44.8 lb/in	Green	175–210
   039-05-094	49.3 lb/in	Yellow	205–240+

   
   

Changing the Coil Spring

NOTE:  36 VAN forks cannot be reduced in travel.

1. With a 32 mm (or 1.25") 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 (see 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 160 mm or 36 Van Coil Spring Setting Guidelines, 170 & 180 mm).
4. Install the new spring by dropping it into the upper tube, then torque the top cap to 220 in-lb (24.86 Nm).
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.

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the bottom of the right fork leg, and has 18 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counter-clockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counter-clockwise (out) 9 clicks.

The rebound knob is protected by a black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 VAN without this black protective cap installed (170 and 180 only).

Adjusting High-Speed Compression

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 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression

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 24 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 12 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position.

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