Help with this Rock Shox please

[Jimmy2021]

From the right side cartridge I removed the circlip and all was sparkling clean and oiled, so I closed it but forgot to take a picture.
I mean that black tube, don't know if it's a cartridge.
There were 2 seals and a strong small spring in it.

 

[ishaw]

The black cylinder is the damper cartridge. It should be full of oil. If it's not, it's leaked out.it looks to be a metal body version which is great as the plastic ones were rubbish and were prone to leaking and cracking. You may be able to find seal replacements and refurbish? I'd be looking at replacing that heavily damaged stanchion before I put it all back together if you can find one.

 

[Jimmy2021]

Thanks.
So the oil only goes into the damper cartridge?
Where would I find the seals?

 

[d8mok]

They aren’t 97 for sure. Looks like 96 to me.

 

[ishaw]

96/97. Site cut off for retro is 97 due to v brakes becoming a thing. Forks have v brace rather than canti, so had a rough guess. Seen various Judy forks advertised as 97 with the same brace, while I know my way around these forks from a servicing, strip and rebuild perspective, I am no encyclopedia of year.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks.
So the oil only goes into the damper cartridge?
Where would I find the seals?

No idea where to find seals, are there any markings on the ones in situ that could help you find some?

I know srp do full rebuild kits for these dampers. I also recall fluffychicken identifying some seals for these in a thread ages ago.

Before you go buying seals, check the damper shaft is nice and smooth with no marks or scoring, no new seal will work unless the damper shaft is clean and smooth.

 

[d8mok]

96/97. Site cut off for retro is 97 due to v brakes becoming a thing. Forks have v brace rather than canti, so had a rough guess. Seen various Judy forks advertised as 97 with the same brace, while I know my way around these forks from a servicing, strip and rebuild perspective, I am no encyclopedia of year.

97 was a one piece lower leg.

 

[Jimmy2021]

No idea where to find seals, are there any markings on the ones in situ that could help you find some?

I know srp do full rebuild kits for these dampers. I also recall fluffychicken identifying some seals for these in a thread ages ago.

Before you go buying seals, check the damper shaft is nice and smooth with no marks or scoring, no new seal will work unless the damper shaft is clean and smooth.

Yes, straight, clean and smooth.
As I understand, oil only goes into this damper, correct?

 

[ishaw]

Yes, straight, clean and smooth.
As I understand, oil only goes into this damper, correct?

Yes, as mentioned before.

I can't recall if it's from the rs service practice on these forks or if it's more modern forks, but I've always put 5mls of fluid in the bottom of each leg to help lube it all, it's certainly part of a service for a reba/rev/Sid and fox service practice.

With the upper leg in the condition it's in, I'm not sure I'd go through the effort, if that's the condition of it on the outside, I would imagine the bushings in that leg will also have suffered with that sliding up and down through them.

 

[Jimmy2021]

Yes, as mentioned before.

I can't recall if it's from the rs service practice on these forks or if it's more modern forks, but I've always put 5mls of fluid in the bottom of each leg to help lube it all, it's certainly part of a service for a reba/rev/Sid and fox service practice.

With the upper leg in the condition it's in, I'm not sure I'd go through the effort, if that's the condition of it on the outside, I would imagine the bushings in that leg will also have suffered with that sliding up and down through them.

So, before compressing the fork and fitting the bottom bolts, you add 5ml of oil in each leg, correct?