To Fork juice or not to?
- Thread starter evad
- Start date
Hmmm, I'm on the fence with this one. I do clean my stanchions and shock with a rag that has some lubricant on it but I've found doing the same on a dropper post has filled the post with shit that is getting past the seals. The insides of my forks always come out pretty clean when I change the oil but the dropper post is a different story, it's actually fouling the action of the post so I say yes to parts that have good seals and no, a big no to parts with shit seals.
I always put a good layer of slick honey on my fork seals after each time I re assemble them.It gives a good lubricant to the fork action for a few months.
I always put a good layer of slick honey on my fork seals after each time I re assemble them.It gives a good lubricant to the fork action for a few months.
Spray it onto a rag first then wipe it on.Always paranoid that spraying this stuff on my stanchions will end up missing and going onto the brakes
Haha genius! thanks.Spray it onto a rag first then wipe it on.
spoozbucket
Likes Dirt
Fork juice seems to cling to the surface better than silicone spray from my experience, I really like the stuff but I can't comment on spraying a dropper post.
overspray
I take my wheel off and wrap a rag around the caliper.Always paranoid that spraying this stuff on my stanchions will end up missing and going onto the brakes
link1896
Mr Greenfield
Between the marketing words and the material safety data sheet, fork juice seems to be naphtha ( aka shellite) and silicon lubricant . I'd be tempted to think some seals won't like naphtha long term, but I've always used naphtha in a pressure bottle and silicon spray on forks. Tossed my last rockshox seals, otherwise I'd plop them in naphtha for a day to observe.
Any upper, external stanchion service is not a substitute for a proper lowers removal, replacing foam rings and seals and using a good lube.
Any upper, external stanchion service is not a substitute for a proper lowers removal, replacing foam rings and seals and using a good lube.
Re-visiting this thread, as I spray fork juice on the fork, shock, and dropper, however Cyclinic think differently
https://www.cyclinic.com.au/fork-lubes-and-juices-why-not-to-use-them/
https://www.cyclinic.com.au/fork-lubes-and-juices-why-not-to-use-them/
I get where they're coming from, but their example is obviously a neglected fork imo.
They do look fair rough!
I've had my fork serviced before, they haven't asked if I've been using fork juice or mention they're in bad nick, so maybe it is okay to spray it?
teK--
Eats Squid
That fork is probably a very bad and extreme example of a poorly maintained fork. The takeway from that article should be that fork juice is not an alternative to regular cleaning and servicing of the fork.
After every ride I spray some around the seal area, cycle the fork/shock and wipe it all away, then wipe over the stanchion with a towel which has more fork juice sprayed on it. Service fork/shock regularly within the recommended service internals, or more often if riding in harsh conditions.
Have never had an issue doing this for 5 years on several bikes.
SummitFever
Eats Squid
I don't use any sort of external stanchion lube. I'm also careful "cleaning" around the seals. Washing/wiping improperly around that area runs the risk of forcing grit below the seals. Like others have said, regular fork maintenance is the key. Maintenance intervals are highly dependent on where and how you ride but if you drop the lowers and there is any dirt or contamination below the second lip of the seal (about 1mm below the top lip of the seal) then you've left it too long. Seals need to be packed with good quality fork grease and when you go to service the fork, there should still be some of that grease in place. Do not get that grease all over the foam rings. These should be completely soaked in whatever you use for splash lube (I use Mobil 1).
I have been running a fork seal experiment on a 100mm SID that still has the original seals from 2009. It must have over 30,000km offroad use on it and the seals are still not letting any fine grit down past the second lip. Regular maintenance on this fork has been the key.
I have been running a fork seal experiment on a 100mm SID that still has the original seals from 2009. It must have over 30,000km offroad use on it and the seals are still not letting any fine grit down past the second lip. Regular maintenance on this fork has been the key.
