Fox 36 Rhythm - dent/chip on stanchion

[greenbkr]

Hi there,

New owner of a Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon (so much fun). I just noticed it looks like a rock or something flew up and made a small dent/chip in one of the fork stanchions :/

I'll definitely be adding a front fender shortly, but concerned from a functional point of view. It's on the upper half of the stanchion, but does seem to have made a small indentation, along with chipping the paint and has sort of 'spidered' outward in a weird way (see picture attached).

I've been watching youtube videos of rock chip repairs etc. but unsure if that will do it. How much of a concern is this and is there anything I can do to fix or replace the stanchion?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions / guidance!

 

[Astro66]

How much of a concern is this and is there anything I can do to fix or replace the stanchion?

It will wear the seal in that spot, and allow more contaminants into the fork earlier. So it will need servicing more often.

Talk to a suspension specialist, possibly through your LBS.

 

[RustyIron]

Normally I wouldn't be very concerned about a minor scratch or ding. However, that picture doesn't appear to be a minor scratch or ding. The "checkerboarding" in the center of the ding, and the outwardly radiating "spiderweb" make me think that maybe the stanchion is cracked. There's no way I'd want to ride that, regardless of any assurances you might get from the local bike store boys. The upper half of the fork can be replaced. It will set you back several hundred bucks.

 

[greenbkr]

Normally I wouldn't be very concerned about a minor scratch or ding. However, that picture doesn't appear to be a minor scratch or ding. The "checkerboarding" in the center of the ding, and the outwardly radiating "spiderweb" make me think that maybe the stanchion is cracked. There's no way I'd want to ride that, regardless of any assurances you might get from the local bike store boys. The upper half of the fork can be replaced. It will set you back several hundred bucks.

Yikes. The checkerboarding/spiderweb pattern does seem a little odd.. hadn't thought about it being cracked though. Thanks for the response I'll look into that further

 

[steve_sordy]

@greenbkr I had a tiny ding on a stanchion. It had raised edges that were sharp. But nothing at all a horrible as the one you have. I contacted TF Tuned, a UK suspension specialist, who advised me not to try to fill it. The filling tends to fall out and end up inside the fork causing damage. But you must get rid of the sharp bits as they will cut the wiper seal and allow in all sorts of crap. They advised me to get a magnifying glass and a sharp craft knife (razor blade sharp). Examine the ding to identify the bits sticking up and then carefully cut them off! Patience is your friend. Once you can no longer feel any sharp bits, leave it alone. Don't miss any services.

I did such a good job with my craft knife that the ding could no longer be seen unless you knew where to look. I had that bike for another year, during which it was serviced by TF Tuned and I had no problems.

 

[leix_toffee]

@greenbkr I had very similar on an older fork and agree with @steve_sordy how he approached it, I did the same. It worked for a long time but eventually the wiper seals got damaged even when the stanchion was as smooth as I could get it, although this was more than 12 months of use with no change in performance. Just changed the seals and all good again. How deep is the dent in the middle? At that point when it enters the lowers does the seal form well around it, that's all I would be worried about if it's a deep dent. Replacing the uppers is an option, but expensive.

 

[greenbkr]

@greenbkr I had very similar on an older fork and agree with @steve_sordy how he approached it, I did the same. It worked for a long time but eventually the wiper seals got damaged even when the stanchion was as smooth as I could get it, although this was more than 12 months of use with no change in performance. Just changed the seals and all good again. How deep is the dent in the middle? At that point when it enters the lowers does the seal form well around it, that's all I would be worried about if it's a deep dent. Replacing the uppers is an option, but expensive.

Thank you both!

Looks like the dent is maybe 1.5-2mm in depth at the middle; here's a few more pictures for scale:

 

[RustyIron]

Looks like the dent is maybe 1.5-2mm in depth at the middle; here's a few more pictures for scale:

My original opinion remains unchanged. But after seeing your new pictures, I suspect that the stanchion might no longer be able to fit beyond the bushings in the lower. Let out all the air and see if you can fully compress the fork. If you can't, then the decision has been made for you.

 

[whitymon]

yeah pretty unusual but we can see the hit here and metal in not round anymore there.

I do not think there is much to do, you can sand it but the shape has change so it will not fix it and your seal will not work correctly.

I would try to give it its original shape but come on you could make it worth.

 

[theremotejuggernaut]

Yikes. That's a new stantion job. It's not just chipped or dented, the whole leg is bent. That can't have been from a rogue rock jumping up.

There are companies who will replace the leg. Depends on the fork as to whether it's worth it or not. You could also buy a new upper assembly but again, might not be worth it cost wise.

I definitely wouldn't be riding that again until it's sorted. Best case it'll destroy the bushes, worst case the leg will bend and then snap.

 

[Astro66]

Square peg, round hole. I stand by my first diagnosis. It's not going to keep contaminants out. It will wear the seal out much quicker.

Take it to a Fork specialist for an appraisal and ensure the integrity of stanchion.

But I'd have no issue just using it as is, till the next fork service is due. But I obviously cannot advise you to do the same without a proper inspection of the stanchion.

 

[16Rally]

Thank you both!

Looks like the dent is maybe 1.5-2mm in depth at the middle; here's a few more pictures for scale:

View attachment 147291 View attachment 147292

Your latest photos clearly show that the stanchion is not just dinged but actually dented (pushed in and out of round).
You can clearly see that by observing how light reflects around the damaged spot. Heck, the deformity can be seen directly in the last photo. In my opinion, it's time for a new CSU.

 

[JayGoodrich]

It will wear the seal in that spot, and allow more contaminants into the fork earlier. So it will need servicing more often.

Talk to a suspension specialist, possibly through your LBS.

In addition, you can probably order the upper stancion/crown from Fox when it gets to worn.

 

[SP SUSPENSION]

We would replace that. If nothing else have a shop take it apart and look internally. We have gotten crash replacement pricing for our customers in the past.