If you've been running your forks for a while and looking after them, you should have done the basic lower leg service. Around every 50 hours of riding, this is just a simple clean and fluid change. Every 4th service should be a complete lower service including changing all the seals.

https://youtu.be/gplteqhEjs8

This bigger service is a little more involved than the simple service, however it's still pretty straightforward to do at home with only a few basic tools. This service doesn't cover the damper side only the air side as the Charger damper service requires specialist tools.

This guide is written from a pike fork and only covers the lower legs, the principles are the same across all Rockshox forks. It's worth carrying out this service as it really does make a noticable difference to the feel of your bike.

You will only need a few basic tools, along with a service kit (if you choose to), fluid and lube. A freshly serviced fork makes your bike feel like new, and only takes an hour or so to complete.

Rockshox Fork Service - Full Lower Leg

A full service of Rockshox forks is required less often than the simple lower leg service maybe once a year (depending on how much you ride). Along with cleaning the foam rings all of the seals in the lower legs and airshaft are replaced. This guide can also be followed to change the air shaft if you wish to change the travel of your forks.

Active Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty Medium

Estimated Cost £30

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Remove fork from frame and give a good clean.
Depressurise the air side
Remove the Rebound adjuster, the Pike use a 2mm hex key the Reba just pulls out
With a 5mm hex key unscrew the lower bolts, not all the way leave a couple of threads in
With a soft faced hammer gently tap the lower bolts until they are free
Drain the fluid out of the lower legs
Remove the uppers from the lowers
Drain the final fluid out
Clean the uppers to remove any fluid and dirt, using Isopropanol and a lint free cloth
Remove the foam rings
Remove the lower crush washers
Clean the lowers with degreaser, and warm water, thoroughly rinse and dry
Remove air side top cap
Move the lip under the circlip (this is a pain to achieve) - under the circlip is a plastic washer with a tab which prevents the circlip from being 'opened' this tab needs to be moved so it is not between the open ends of the circlip.
Remove circlip,
Remove the air shaft
Change o'rings
Change seal head
Lube seals
Refit Air shaft
Refit Circlip
Move tab to circlip gap
Refit top cap
Refit Dust wipers
Soak the new foam rings in suspension fluid
Install the foam rings
Install new crush washers
Liberally coat the dust seals with SRAM butter
Slide the uppers into the lowers
Add in Rockshox fork oil
Bolt in the lower bolts
Replace the rebound adjuster
Pressurize the forks to your pressure settings
Refit to the frame

Notes

It is very beneficial to record your shock pressure and rebound settings prior to starting so that you can set up your shock to where it was before you started.

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Rockshox Fork - Full Upper Service