Arctic Chat : Arctic Cat Forum banner

Rebuilding Fox Float Shocks

16K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  cromejob  
#1 ·
I just took my 05 F7 Sno Pro in to have the secondary clutch adjuster added and the dealer told me I need to have the front Fox Float shocks rebuilt because he saw oil residue on them. They haven't lost any air pressure. I have about 1800 miles on them, and didn't know if they are just trying to drum up business. The other thing that was odd about the dealer, is they said they have never had any shocks that have needed rebuilding and didn't know the price of the kit and they would get back to me. I thought I read that they shocks are rated for 3,000-4,000 miles before needing to be rebuilt. Can anyone give me some feedback on when they needed to get their shocks rebuilt and if the oil residue is normal?
 
#3 ·
Oil residue on gas shocks? I don't think so. If there is oil residue, that means the seals are shot and there won't be any gas pressure left anyway and will colapse very easy. I have mine off right now getting rebuilt, I do it every year to all my shocks. The Fox shocks are alot better than they used to be about rebuild schedules, but if you're getting close to 2000 miles a year on, I'd have them all done. Just my opinion.
 
#4 ·
Originally posted by NY F7snopro05@Nov 5 2005, 08:21 AM
I just took my 05 F7 Sno Pro in to have the secondary clutch adjuster added and the dealer told me I need to have the front Fox Float shocks rebuilt because he saw oil residue on them.  They haven't lost any air pressure.  I have about 1800 miles on them, and didn't know if they are just trying to drum up business.  The other thing that was odd about the dealer, is they said they have never had any shocks that have needed rebuilding and didn't know the price of the kit and they would get back to me.  I thought I read that they shocks are rated for 3,000-4,000 miles before needing to be rebuilt.  Can anyone give me some feedback on when they needed to get their shocks rebuilt and if the oil residue is normal?
<div align="right"><{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[/quote]
I can believe the part about not knowing what the rebuild kit cost, but I heard it isn't as cheap as std ones. Somewhere like $45 or so. I have yet to do a set of Floats, so I can't comment on when they should be serviced. Still waiting for somebody to send me a set... First guy that does gets them serviced for $50 for the pair, unless they need extra parts. The first guy saves $20, if not more. I need a set to do first so I can set the price for everyone else.
 
#5 ·
This may or not be relevant... I have a Fox Float clicker on my bike.

The seal for the air spring portion rides on the outer part of the shock body where the nitrogen, oil, and piston are in.

If the air sleeve portion wasnt there at all, the rest of it looks like a conventional shock.

The hidden advantage of the air spring is that the shock rod cannot drag any water or other contaminantes into the shock body, as it is completely covered by the air sleeve cylinder. Oil stays cleaner longer.

The manaul says the oil/nitrogen re-charges will be good for longer extended periods as compared to conventional shocks because of lower oil contamination.

The shop manual for the shock states that for regular maintenance (not rebuild schedule), ocaisionally use compressed air to blow any foreign crap off the shock body where the seal rides, and then use a little dab of white lithium grease to ensure the seal for the air spring portion of the shock doesn't dry out.

It actually recommends a Fox seal lube product for this, but also says plain white lithium grease will do the job as well. So that's what I use. The Fox stuff isn't white like the lithium, almost completely transparent. Probably what the dealer is seeing.

IMO... If the dealer saw some oil, it's probably just a bit of the seal lube, probably nothing wrong with the shock and absolutely normal.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Thanks for your input. I just got a call from my dealer and he said that their price for the kit on each shock is $60 plus $12 for the oil (both shocks) + one hour of labor to rebuild them. I told him to go ahead but from what I just read I should probably question him on this.

In the past I could tell when a shock was bad, either by the fact it would be like a springboard or they would bottom out. The reason I am questioning my dealer or this board is because the front still feels very stiff and rebounds fine. I bought my F7 Sno Pro new last year. I put on 1700 miles. I have my shocks pumped up to 75lbs. What do you guys have yours set to? I weigh 200lbs and ride hard as I can across the bumps. Not to sound like I am bragging but my friends can't keep up with me on the bumps, and a couple are racers.

I went with the new technology but don't know a lot about it. I wish there was more information on these shocks. If you know any good web sites let me know.
 
#7 ·
Originally posted by NY F7snopro05@Nov 8 2005, 05:45 PM
Thanks for your input.  I just got a call from my dealer and he said that their price for the kit on each shock is $60 plus $12 for the oil (both shocks) + one hour of labor to rebuild them.  I told him to go ahead but from what I just read I should probably question him on this.



<div align="right"><{POST_SNAPBACK}>
[/quote]
Yikes, thats $120 for the kits, $12 for the oil and $65(?) for labor = $197. Still waiting for someone who only wants to pay $50 for both.... :eek:
 
#12 ·
looneytune - I'm still planning on sending my floats to you as soon as i get my sled back from the shop. They've had it for 4.5 weeks now!!! I'm getting kind of pissed. I called them yesterday and was told i'd have the sled back the begining of next week. As soon as i get it back those shocks will be in the mail to you. I"ll probably send my rear shocks as well. I'll Pm you to let you know when they're on their way. If you get a set before then and your price changes let me know.