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I was fettling / moving stuff about/ generally improving by bikes. I got to the stage to set sag : connected pump - stood on the peadals.
But I completely forgot there was no air in the shock so it went staight to bottomed out and of course the pump hose interferes with the shock body and properly twisted the valve stem!
Leaving a crack in the stem. It is on the non pressurized side of the valve core: ie if I get air into it: it will stay in there.
I have tried a few things so far: Araldite, heat shrink on the outside....: I can get it to about 90psi before it starts to leak, which is way too low.
I'm reluctant to spend much cash ATM - and cant find anywhere with the part in stock anyway.
So - any ideas : repairs or something to replace it with given its on the non-pressurized side?
Any help appreciated.
*Edit : forgot to say - the stem is removable: and the thread on both ends appears to be the same: ie standard schrader
Schrader valve extension cut to size to thread over the crack and a bit of ptfe tape to seal?
Edit or a fox one with Schrader valve extension to clear the air can?
Take out the valve core, and you might find a 3mm or so hex fits inside to unscrew it. Then you just need to find a replacement.
Have you phoned TFT as the UK service centre?
I'll need to squirrel through some boxes in the shed but I might have one that's been taken out of a DB air CS in the bag of "stuff we changed and here is is to prove it". Not sure why I keep these... but perhaps just cos I think "er how do I know I wont need this sometime"... I'll have to look tomorrow in the light... its possibly 50/50...
Thanks guys! All good points.
I have removed the stem from the body already: the photos were after I reinstlled it to test my last failed repair attempt.
I had a search on the TF Tuned website but cant find the part: I will try phoning them to see if they can help.
An extender might well work!
And Stevextc - if you have one - then I will happily pay / swap etc.
So a couple of thoughts. Probably the easiest/cheapest/fastest would be to Silver solder/braze that little bent bit of tube, preferably from the inside. Ordinary solder will probably work as you're only trying to seal up a tiny crack. If you try this don't get it in the threads as it will be difficult to get off.
The other option would be to find a tame lathe owner and get a replacement made.
Probably the easiest/cheapest/fastest would be to Silver solder/braze that little bent bit of tube, preferably from the inside.
You could try measuring how far the shock pump screws on and try soldering a sleeve over the outside, leaving enough thread exposed to screw your shock pump all the way on. For example, if you can find a steel valve cap and grind the top off so that it's an internally threaded sleeve, you could screw that on, then solder it. Then run a tap through it to clean out any solder if necessary.
I did the same thing bought a new one from TF Tuned
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only CaneCreek owner who makes mistakes!
I spoke to TF Tuned - who were super helpful. The part isnt on their web-shop but they are sending one to me. It turns out to be a far less expensive mistake than I thought 🙂
Just remembered this... found the thread ... just about to put the last bike into the shed so I'll take a quick look anyway.
Ah well, nope... (I can't get to the suspension drawers when all the bikes are in the shed hence timing) but I seem to have at least 1/2 a shock of old parts but no valve bit (we have 2 between us so I guess these build up though I still don't know why I keep them really)
Stevextc - Thanks for checking - I appreciate it.
BTW I also keep some old bits and bobs - sometimes they come in useful or be cross purposed for unexpected stuff.