Suspension self-ser...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Suspension self-servicing

11 Posts
10 Users
0 Reactions
103 Views
Posts: 1513
Free Member
Topic starter
 

I bought a TFTuned kit to do a lower leg service on my Pike forks, but the descriptions of the oil types on the bottles supplied bear no relation to the type (0w-30) specified in the SRAM manual.

I’m guessing the oil with 20 on it and a viscosity index of 158 is the right stuff for the lowers and the bottle with 2.5 and 268 on it are for the 200 hour service, but have no idea how all those different descriptors of oil relate to one another.

Can anyone explain to me in *very* simple terms how all those measurements compare to each other?


 
Posted : 21/05/2019 10:10 am
Posts: 16216
Full Member
 

Can't believe one of the suspension gurus hasn't jumped on this, have a bump for the morning mate.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 2:38 am
Posts: 3445
Free Member
 

Ring TF dude, get it from the horse's mouth. They're dead helpful.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:20 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

The 2.5 is probably for the damper but as above ring TFT for advice.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:24 am
Posts: 6203
Full Member
 

If it's any help, I got a lower leg "kit" from J-Tech for my Pikes which included a small bottle of oil. Can't remember the numbers but they didn't seem to bear much relation to 0W-30. But I stuck the required amount in each leg and here I am, still not dead 🙂

The stuff in the lowers just provides a bit of lubrication. Obviously it needs to not destroy the seals, but I figure the people who make their living from servicing forks will know what works. No harm in ringing TF just to be sure though.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:33 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

20wt will be lower leg, 2.5 damper


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:44 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Is it the lower leg kit? https://www.tftuned.com/tf-tuned-lower-lube-kit/p554

The packaging looks new, but all the previous ones I've bought have a bottle labelled "lower leg mix" or something similar.

The other wt stuff is for the damper. Once before I was sent the damper oil in a lower kit. Quick ring to TF and the proper stuff was with me next day.

Give them a ring and see what they say.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:50 am
Posts: 818
Free Member
 

The 2.5 wt bottle will be damper oil as above, and the 20wt for the lower legs.

Rockshox specify 0w-30, which is less vicious than a 20wt oil. There's two schools of thought with lowers lubrication. Rockshox's oil is a very low weight for minimum viscosity/friction, whereas fox and the tf tuned mix use a 20wt which helps the fluid stay where it needs to be in the bushings rather than migrating to the bottom of the lowers. I'm sure both work well enough that you couldn't perceive a difference.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 7:59 am
Posts: 3238
Full Member
 

From memory there's a very helpful youtube vid that explains all


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 2:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I noticed that RS have changed their lower fluid oils between my old 2016 Yaris and my 2019 Lyrik.

I've got loads of 0-30w so I was happy.

TFT used to sell 'Lower Oil' which I've always used in the past which as been great.

TBH lower oil is just lube and not used for damping etc, I suspect you could get away with a lot with it.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 3:29 pm
Posts: 1513
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks everyone, I’ll call them as you suggest.


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 10:49 pm
Posts: 3238
Full Member
 

Not quite a video but a Step by step From TF

TF Tuned - PERFORMING A LOWER LUBE - DOWNLOADABLE PDF VERSION WITH PHOTOS


 
Posted : 22/05/2019 10:51 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!