Fox Rp23 rear shock leaking red oil , service or replace?

barrymanilow

Hi ,

The fox Rp23 on my bike has started to gush red oil from behind the blue lever that controls the pro pedal .

I read that this is because this shock is old and the seals eventually die at that point .

It looks like it will cost around €130 to get it fixed according to one of the shops I rang up in Dublin .

I have a few questions if anyone can help ,

1 . Are the cheap rear shocks like suntour and DNM on ebay alright ? they come in new at half the price almost of repairing the fox rp23 .

2.Where is the best place in Ireland to send a suspension shock to get fixed or should I send it to mojo in the Uk ?

3.When measuring a shock I see you need eye to eye and then stroke lenght . Is it ok if the replacement shock is a few mil shorter or longer in stroke lenght?

4. Is it easy to find hardware of different sizes to fit different shocks with different frames ?

Cheers

Mr. Grieves

barrymanilow wrote: »

Hi ,

The fox Rp23 on my bike has started to gush red oil from behind the blue lever that controls the pro pedal .

I read that this is because this shock is old and the seals eventually die at that point .

It looks like it will cost around €130 to get it fixed according to one of the shops I rang up in Dublin .

I have a few questions if anyone can help ,

1 . Are the cheap rear shocks like suntour and DNM on ebay alright ? they come in new at half the price almost of repairing the fox rp23 .

2.Where is the best place in Ireland to send a suspension shock to get fixed or should I send it to mojo in the Uk ?

3.When measuring a shock I see you need eye to eye and then stroke lenght . Is it ok if the replacement shock is a few mil shorter or longer in stroke lenght?

4. Is it easy to find hardware of different sizes to fit different shocks with different frames ?

Cheers

I was quoted a similar price to fix an old shock. I found a nearly new RP23 on eBay for £100 which did the trick. It was awkward to remove old one from frame mind you, had to remove cranks.

steamsey

barrymanilow wrote: »

Hi ,

The fox Rp23 on my bike has started to gush red oil from behind the blue lever that controls the pro pedal .

I read that this is because this shock is old and the seals eventually die at that point .

It looks like it will cost around €130 to get it fixed according to one of the shops I rang up in Dublin .

I have a few questions if anyone can help ,

1 . Are the cheap rear shocks like suntour and DNM on ebay alright ? they come in new at half the price almost of repairing the fox rp23 .

2.Where is the best place in Ireland to send a suspension shock to get fixed or should I send it to mojo in the Uk ?

3.When measuring a shock I see you need eye to eye and then stroke lenght . Is it ok if the replacement shock is a few mil shorter or longer in stroke lenght?

4. Is it easy to find hardware of different sizes to fit different shocks with different frames ?

Cheers

Depending on the amount of use it gets, forks / shock should be serviced at least annually to avoid leaks like this. You're right in thinking that the seals go after a while on these things and seals are one thing that are replaced during a service. You might find a bargain on ebay but it depends on what you want for your bike - do you want it running well or just running.
I would keep it simple if you're replacing it and replace it like for like size wise - don't bother trying to cram a different size shock in there. A service is going to cost about €100 - €120 depending on where you go so €130 to fix this (they will probably just service it) is OK. You could service it yourself with a service kit from FOX and some you tube videos - it's not rocket science.
I can recommend Expert Cycles in Rathfarnham Village or the Bike Rack in Cabinteely for servicing. 
If you are buying a second hand one - you have no guarantee / idea when it was last serviced (even with a a receipt from the bike shop) so at least by getting this one fixed - you know it's in good shape for another year.

barrymanilow

I have done the air sleeve service myself where you unscrew the shock and replace the seals and put float fluid into it but I think the service it needs isn't one that fox supply parts for or give instructions on