1. Clean the telescopic column covered by the folded sleeve. The folded sleeve is a very effective protective layer for the sealing gaskets and telescopic column. However, after each cleaning, the sleeve must be folded up first, and then the telescopic column of the fork must be wiped clean with a cloth. Regularly check their condition and look for scratches.
2. Lubricate the telescopic column. After each maintenance, use an oil cup to put a few drops of chain lubricant on the telescopic column, or apply a thin layer of grease. This will ensure that the telescopic column maintains excellent lubrication between maintenance sessions.
3. Remove the brake pivot. The method for removing the brake pivot varies depending on the type of fork. Simply removing the brake is not enough; the brake cable should be loosened appropriately. All forks have retaining bolts, some on the outside and some on the inside. For air forks, the air must be completely released before disassembly. When you loosen the bolt, the hydraulic oil in the oil reservoir will flow out. Before proceeding, please carefully read the instruction manual for your fork model and thoroughly understand its characteristics.
4. Clean the inside of the brake pivot and telescoping column. Wipe away all impurities and deposits adhering to the bottom inside of the brake pivot with a cloth. Do not use any solvents, as this will damage the Teflon guide column used to secure the fork. Also clean the telescoping tube, taking the opportunity to check the degree of wear on the tube. A worn telescoping column will first lose its anodized surface layer, and then rust-like voids will appear at the friction points of the oil ring, sometimes resulting in gaps.
5. Apply oil to the tube. Apply a thin layer of lubricant to the surfaces of the telescoping column and brake pivot. A good fork oil should not corrode Teflon and should have just the right amount of viscosity-not so much that it "sticks"-allowing for smoother movement of components. It's important to note that applying oil to the spring filler does not help, but applying oil to the shock springs can prevent them from making noise.
6. Reassemble the brake pivot. When reassembling the brake pivot, be careful not to overtighten the bolts. After wiping off any excess grease, reposition the crease protector.
7. Monitor the pressure of air forks. For air forks such as Sunn Obsys, SID, and Fatty SL, checking the pressure at least three to four times a year is absolutely necessary. The frequency of checks varies depending on the fork type and specific piston rings. Never attempt to depressurize the fork with an air compressor! The amount of air a fork can hold is quite limited; using an air compressor could damage all components.
