[Closed] Reverb Stealth major failure - is it reachable?

Damn, can’t edit title. Meant to read repairable.

Sounds like the retainer ring has either come out or corroded and snapped.

Yep sounds like circlip has failed or not installed properly by PO

Is it a B1 post? Chances are the snap ring has corroded and the insides have popped out the bottom. As long as there are no interuptions in the seat tube (bends / pivots) then it should be ok? May need a new hose if its been crushed / kinked.

Edit: saying that, I had one in recently that the snap ring had failed, the inner bush had also popped out the end of the outer post and the seat clamp / cradle had damaged the wiper seal / top cap

I have some Stainless Steel snap rings available if you need one.

It’s a 2017 bike so I assume it’s a B1 post. I’ll have to wait until tomorrow evening before I can pull it apart, will try to get some pics.

If it’s the circlip is it an easy home job, if so what tools do I need?

Can you pull the seat / inner post back up by hand?

My B1 post suffered same failure within first 15 minutes of first use ! It was warranted and replaced with a new one.  No chance of mine been caused by corrosion.

I’ve got the post off the bike now, won’t pull back up by hand.  The bottom looks quite mucky, like there’s been some ingress into it for some time, could do with a new hose too. Looks like I’ll be sending it off for a service and rebuild.

Bike had a missing bottle boss when I got it (I’ve had a new rivnut put in) so I reckon water has got in there and to the base of the post.  The post had been feeling a bit rough on compression which I now wonder if it was related.

Just to follow up on this, I've sent pics to J-Tech and they've confirmed what has been suggested in this thread.

The post is going in for a service (inc hose replacement), at the same time they are going to do a mod which will allow a more robust retaining clip to be installed, the mod is an extra tenner which seems reasonable given that this looks to be a relatively common fault.

I did notice that the vent holes in the bottom section of the post were pretty clogged which probably explains why the post was not that happy on the way down, I reckon muddy water must have got in during a brutally wet STW Swinley ride.  It's certainly something I'll be keeping an eye on and cleaning on a regular basis (though in replacing the bottle boss rivnut I think I've blocked the water ingress point).

If you've not sent it off yet, the 200hr service is pretty simple to do at home, I think the only vaguely specialised tool you would need is a vice.  The 200hr should solve the unhappiness with going down.  I can recommend the Wolftooth Sustain if you're replacing the hose and fancy a 1 x setup.  Again, really easy to fit, especially if you're doing the service at the same time.

 they are going to do a mod which will allow a more robust retaining clip to be installed, the mod is an extra tenner which seems reasonable given that this looks to be a relatively common fault.

What is the mod they are doing - does it replace the current retaining clip with a chunkier circlip? Would be interested to know.

@bgascyne - yes, they will machine the outer tube to accept a meatier circlip to help prevent the problem happening again - post is not in warranty so seems like a good idea.

@nealeb4zod - I did consider it, but what with the mod that is being done as well, plus checking for other unseen damage I'd rather put it in the hands of the pros this time around.  Did think about a 1x lever but I've always been OK with the button so decided that it's another wedge of cash which is better spent elsewhere.  Will bear the WT in mind if I do go that way later though.

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