Lower-Leg Service Overview

Steps

1. Clean and Deflate: Thoroughly clean the exterior of the fork. Release ALL air pressure from the air spring side.
2. Remove Lower Leg Bolts: Loosen the bolts at the bottom of the fork legs. Use a plastic mallet to gently tap the bolts (unseating the internal shafts) before removing them entirely.
3. Draft the Lowers: Carefully pull the fork lowers (the chassis) off the stanchions. Keep a drain pan handy as oil will leak out.
4. Remove Old Seals: Use a pry tool to remove the old wiper seals and foam rings. Be extremely careful not to scratch the interior of the fork lowers.
5. Clean Everything: Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the interior of the lowers and the exterior of the stanchions. Any grit left inside will quickly ruin your suspension.
6. Install New Seals: Soak new foam rings in suspension oil. Press new wiper seals into the lowers using a dedicated seal driver tool.
7. Reassemble: Slide the lowers back onto the stanchions. Before fully seating them, inject the recommended amount of bath oil into each leg.
8. Secure and Inflate: Reinstall and torque the lower leg bolts with fresh crush washers. Re-inflate the fork to your desired PSI and check for leaks.

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Tips

• Perform a lower-leg service every 50 hours of riding to keep your suspension feeling plush and prevent expensive wear on the stanchions.
• Document the order of all parts and spacers as you remove them; suspension internals can be complex!
• If your suspension "feels" sticky even with fresh oil, you may need a full factory rebuild (damper service).