You are here: Rear Shocks > Air Sleeve Maintenance

Air Sleeve Maintenance BUY ITEMS

WARNING: FOX air shocks contain high air pressures. Improper handling may cause SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH. Before servicing a FOX air shock, certain precautions must be taken. Follow these steps to prevent serious injury, and always wear eye protection. If you do not feel confident about performing the following procedure, contact FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center to schedule a service repair.

CAUTION: When working on an air shock, always assume that it is stuck down before starting service.

You can also view a Flash video on Air Sleeve Maintenance or view the PDF.

Before beginning service, you need to make sure that the air shock you are servicing is not "stuck-down". A “stuck down” shock is one that is stuck at the bottom of its travel, and will not return. This is due to a failure of the dynamic air seal located between the positive and negative air chambers within the shock air sleeve; the negative chamber retains a higher air pressure than the positive chamber.
The first step in troubleshooting a stuck-down shock is to pump up the main air chamber to 250 psi using a FOX High Pressure Pump.
The shock may extend slightly. However, the shock can still be “stuck down.” Continue on to the next step with caution.
Release all air pressure from the air sleeve air valve.
Cycle the shock a few times, then release air pressure from the air sleeve air valve again.
Remove the mounting hardware and remove the shock from the bicycle. In most cases, a hex wrench is all that is necessary to remove the mounting hardware. Hex wrench size will vary depending on manufacturer.
Remove reducers from the body end of the shock using a 1/4” bolt extractor.
Place the shock in a soft-jawed vice being careful not to crush any shock parts. Place the breaker bar through the body eyelet and attempt to pull out the body shaft. If you cannot pull it out, this confirms that the shock is “stuck down.” Proceed with caution.
Put on your gloves and place a shop towel through the body eyelet to prevent the air sleeve from coming off. Use a strap wrench to turn the air sleeve counter-clockwise. YOU MAY HEAR A VERY LOUD POP WHEN REMOVING THE AIR SLEEVE! This is normal for a “stuck down” shock.
Finish unscrewing the air sleeve by hand and pull it back from the shaft.
Remove the shop towel from the body eyelet then fully remove the air sleeve.
Clean the inside of the air sleeve with isopropyl alcohol or parts cleaner.
CAUTION: Although a full set of replacement seals has been provided, it is not necessary to replace all of them on a brand-new unused shock. The body seal (quad ring) still needs to be replaced however, as described in steps 17-18.
Clean the internal parts with isopropyl alcohol or parts cleaner.
If necessary replace seals and backup rings with new seals and backup rings from the Air Sleeve Rebuild Kit, FOX P/N 803-00-142, as described in the following steps.
When replacing the air sleeve wiper, seal and backup rings, ensure that they are properly oriented. Lightly lubricate all seals and rings before installing them. Use no more than half of the FLOAT Fluid pillow pack for this entire procedure.
Two shaft eyelet o-rings are supplied with the Air Sleeve Rebuild Kit; a 2000-04 FLOAT rear shock uses the thicker o-ring, the 2005 and newer uses the thinner o-ring.
Remove the body seal (quad ring) and two backup rings, being careful not to scratch the inside of the seal gland.
Lightly lubricate the seals and rings before replacing them. Make sure that you use the backup rings with slits. In this order, install a: 1) backup ring, 2) body seal (quad ring), 3) the other backup ring onto the seal gland.
If necessary, replace the shaft eyelet o-ring. Carefully remove the old o-ring using a dental pick. Lightly lubricate the new o-ring before installing it.
If necessary, remove the air sleeve dust wiper, seal and backup rings. Carefully remove these parts using a dental pick. If you are not removing these parts, skip to step 22.
Replace the backup ring, seal, backup ring, and dust wiper into the air sleeve seal glands.
NOTE: Squeeze the backup ring "like a potato chip” to facilitate installation.
Slide the air sleeve onto the body. Do not screw the air sleeve on at this time.
Place 2 cc of FLOAT Fluid into the air sleeve. Do not screw the air sleeve on at this time.
Install the travel indicator o-ring onto the body. Place the reducers (or requisite mounting hardware) back onto the body eyelets.
Mount the shock back onto the bicycle using the appropriate mounting hardware. Torque the bolts to the bicycle manufacturer’s specifications. Due to frame design, you may have to tighten the air sleeve before re-installing the shock.
Press down on the bicycle seat to compress the rear suspension. This will make it easier to screw on the air sleeve. Thread the air sleeve by hand until it is tight. DO NOT overtighten with a strap wrench or other tool.
Inflate your shock according to the shock owner’s manual.
Go ride.