Specialized rear shock "Brain" rebuild with pictures & now forks too

[rider124]

Just dropped my 2010 brain shock off for a very expensive service so will be interested to hear how this turns out.

And for those questioning if fox make these - they have since 2010. I took mine to Tekin and they send them on to Fox to be serviced.

Sent one of these off to fox (through a shop)
it got sent back and they told us to send it to specialized!!

not sure if it was because solasport didnt like my shop or something, but im pretty sure specialized do all the servicing?

 

[link1896]

Sent one of these off to fox (through a shop)
it got sent back and they told us to send it to specialized!!

not sure if it was because solasport didnt like my shop or something, but im pretty sure specialized do all the servicing?

Someones fucking you about.

you can book the service of a brain shock direct via ridefoxaustralia, which is run by sola dist

http://www.ridefoxaustralia.com.au/fox-shock-service.html

 

[Ivan]

$270 ! OUCH!

Time to trade in the brain for something else! hwell:

 

[link1896]

$270 ! OUCH!

Time to trade in the brain for something else! hwell:

Yep, utter bullshit every 100 hrs. I'm close with the rebuild, couldn't get dowel pins in 3/50th so I'm making some, I've been very busy the last few weeks, will get back to this early July.

 

[GeoffRidesBikes]

This may as well be a thread about rebuilding a flux capacitor written in Klingon as far as i'm concerned.

More power to you mate. Interesting nonetheless.

 

[link1896]

This may as well be a thread about rebuilding a flux capacitor written in Klingon as far as i'm concerned.

More power to you mate. Interesting nonetheless.

With the next update I'll go mad with photos and video to help demystify

 

[link1896]

Managed to get the last of the reservoir apart.

 

[link1896]

Have been discussing all things Specialized brain with an overseas suspension tuner who at this stage wants to remain anonymous. The 2012 shock was made by fusion-x, despite drawings with fox logos on them.

Going to to skip the assembly of the 2012 and jump right into the 2014 fox's strip down and rebuild as I'm so time poor atm, will video the 2014s rebuild.

 

[SummitFever]

...The 2012 shock was made by fusion-x, despite drawings with fox logos on them...

This makes sense. Certainly did not look like anything from Fox from the internals.

 

[Ivan]

nice work. Great thread.

 

[MARKL]

Props to you for giving it a go :hail:

I've a love hate with the brain. Climbs like a hard tail yet opens with an annoying delay once a bump arrives. I have started prototyping up an electronically controlled equivalent with a single axis accelerometer.

That sounds awesome. Admiration for anyone that gives this sort of stuff a go.

 

[redbruce]

Have been discussing all things Specialized brain with an overseas suspension tuner who at this stage wants to remain anonymous. The 2012 shock was made by fusion-x, despite drawings with fox logos on them.

Does that apply to the 2011 ones as well? Is there an easy way to distinguish FOX or X-Fusion versions?

 

[link1896]

Does that apply to the 2011 ones as well? Is there an easy way to distinguish FOX or X-Fusion versions?

Post up some pictures of said shock and I'll help determine

 

[link1896]

Started on the 2014 Shock off my Epic WC.

vacuum bleed port in the IFP and another port in the adjuster shaft.

 

[link1896]

Shock still had nitrogen pressure but leaking oil from hose o rings.

5 cents of shitty orings caused it's failure it would seem.

I ride with 28psi in the tyres, brain on full firm but 20 psi less then autosag gives me. On a WC that's pretty firm, bearings have already been replaced once at 1200km, seems the shock isn't up to the task. Shock has done about 1500km before I swapped it out for a spare.

SO THE FUN BEGINS

have started collecting parts for a vacuum bleed setup. Have a large water purification filter housing to act as my oil reservoir to hook vacuum pump and air compressor up to.

 

[pink poodle]

Haven't Spesh written you a firm letter yet?

 

[link1896]

Haven't Spesh written you a firm letter yet?

No maybe they are too scared of a parody?

seriously, after a chat to a friend of the family who's a QC, I'm golden.

 

[pink poodle]

No maybe they are too scared of a parody?

seriously, after a chat to a friend of the family who's a QC, I'm golden.

Can you still do a parody? I think they deserve it...

 

[SummitFever]

You may not need to vacuum bleed at the IFP. That IFP design will allow you to over-fill and then insert the IFP with the screw out. Put the screw back in once the IFP is at the correct depth. Oil displaced through the hole should have the entire thing under oil when you re-insert the screw.

The bleed hole on the top looks like you may be able to use a SRAM XX bleed kit adapter (or AVID disc brake bleed adapter) and a big syringe to pressurize and alternatively pull a vacuum to get it bled.

 

[link1896]

You may not need to vacuum bleed at the IFP. That IFP design will allow you to over-fill and then insert the IFP with the screw out. Put the screw back in once the IFP is at the correct depth. Oil displaced through the hole should have the entire thing under oil when you re-insert the screw.

The bleed hole on the top looks like you may be able to use a SRAM XX bleed kit adapter (or AVID disc brake bleed adapter) and a big syringe to pressurize and alternatively pull a vacuum to get it bled.

Would be nice if this was possible, would make it an option for many to rebuild and bleed themselves at home.