UGH!! Just Found this on My Fork

[bvader]

2007 Talas 32mm

Generally I am very very careful with this type of stuff but I have no idea when / how I did it. In all my years, I have not had a gouge like that and especially no knowing where it care from. I have a feeling it was a garage casualty.

By touch there is nothing sharp "outward" if feels "all in" if that makes sense and not too deep. Put some Slick Honey on it and feels OK I guess. Rest of the shock feel fine / straight / responsive etc.

Planning to ride SART tomorrow unless someone tells me absolutely not. I am not sure if/how this is fixed, or if I need a new fork or do just ride it until it causes a problem.

Anyways just bummed a bit...

Any thoughts? (Feel free to call me names and tell me to get over it)

First picture is with the Shock pump adapter to give size reference

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IMG_1710L.jpg

[jamesdc]

damn, that pretty bad, wet sand it with really fine sandpaper then fill it with nailpolish and it should be fine

[project_d]

If it's not leaking oil, then I'd ride it. I've got some scratches on my stanchions, and I've been riding, and I've been good.

[ghixon]

Ditto on the nail polish idea. If it's too deep, try some JB Weld and sand with 500-750 grit wet/dry sandpaper. You will wear seals a bit faster, but at least you won't have to shell out $200 to replace the stantions.

[CalEpic]

A little late now, but rather than removing the ano coating surrounding the scratch by sanding, you can scrape the burrs with a razor blade until nothing sticks out.

C

[evdog]

I second the JB weld. I've fixed countless scratches with it, and its much more manly than nail polish.

This one looks pretty deep.

[OldDogDan]

It looks like that blob at the bottom may be raised...get a steel rule or other straightedge to lay along the fork, and be real sure nothing sticks up. If it does, remove it. I wouldn't bother filling in the gouge, but I would smooth the edges carefully with emery cloth, without enlarging it any, until it felt completely smooth to the touch. It may be a little deep, but it's not very long...unlikely to compromise the seal as long as the edges are smoothed. But the seal may already be damaged. Smooth it, then ride it & see.

[bvader]

Thanks all.
Rode it today seems ok but I think I can smooth it out a bit with the suggestions above.

[Kritter]

never thought of nail polish...super glue or jb weld works and then wet sand it back smooth. Works on motorcycles which see a lot more abuse.

Everytime that passes the seal it will drag oil or air with it in its current condition...whichever it is sealing.

[L8 APEKS]

Have you asked Fox about it yet? Maybe they would warranty it. Who knows?

Anyway, I'd use one of the suggestions for a filler (I'd use an automotive filler as it's easier to sand/work with than JB is), and lube the sanction with a little dry oil before rides to help make up for the friction in that spot so it doesn't really impact the life of that part of the seal.

[OMR]

This didn't seem to stop you from having fun with us today at SART..

[DHS]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

Have you asked Fox about it yet? Maybe they would warranty it. Who knows?

its not Fox's fault he crashed. these things happen. don't blame someone else

[bvader]

Originally Posted by OMR

This didn't seem to stop you from having fun with us today at SART..

No It did not. In fact once we started riding low and behold it didn't enter my mind once!

Originally Posted by DHS

its not Fox's fault he crashed. these things happen. don't blame someone else

Hey who said I crashed!

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by DHS

its not Fox's fault he crashed. these things happen. don't blame someone else

Ummm...let's re-read the OP...

Generally I am very very careful with this type of stuff but I have no idea when / how I did it. In all my years, I have not had a gouge like that and especially no knowing where it care from.

How about we leave it up to Fox to determine whether or not they feel like replacing it? Some companies do this sort of thing (Camelbak comes to mind), and others don't (Answer/Manitou comes to mind). But I think they can make their own decision.

[bvader]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

Ummm...let's re-read the OP...
How about we leave it up to Fox to determine whether or not they feel like replacing it? Some companies do this sort of thing (Camelbak comes to mind), and others don't (Answer/Manitou comes to mind). But I think they can make their own decision.

BTW the thought of calling Fox never entered my mind, but that is why I ask you guys. What ever happened it was certainly my fault. I will probably ask the Path guys since "they are my people", but I don't expect anything, and am not expecting that I/they will contact Fox.

[L8 APEKS]

Good businesses are willing to lose the ~$40 it would cost them to replace a sanction tube in order to keep a loyal customer, in hopes that you will share your good experience with other people and therefore, provide more customers.

In practice, they have the potential to make more money this way, than if you were to spend $175 replacing the sanction yourself (especially if, down the road, you and perhaps 2 other people you have talked to buy new Fox forks...spending perhaps ~$1800 instead of $175).

I'm not saying they'll give you a free one, but who knows? It's worth a 30 second phone call to find out if they can do anything to help!

Anyway...it really isn't that bad of a gouge. I think you'll be OK smoothing it out and leaving it be. Worst case scenario, you may have to replace a $20 seal a little more often. No biggie!

For me, the most frustrating part of a blemish like that is just the fact that it's an eyesore! Coulda been worse though. Good luck!

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by L8 APEKS

Ummm...let's re-read the OP...



How about we leave it up to Fox to determine whether or not they feel like replacing it? Some companies do this sort of thing (Camelbak comes to mind), and others don't (Answer/Manitou comes to mind). But I think they can make their own decision.

A ding on the fork tube that is no way due to a manufacturing defect and you want to get Fox involved? I don't get that sort of pass-the-responsibility attitude.
R

[L8 APEKS]

Originally Posted by EMrider

A ding on the fork tube that is no way due to a manufacturing defect and you want to get Fox involved? I don't get that sort of pass-the-responsibility attitude.
R

Ok, some people on here seem to automatically come up a couple cans shy of a 6-pack in the heat.

I'm not suggesting he call them and ask them to replace it for free. I'm suggesting he could call them directly and ask them what it might cost to replace that part. And maybe if he's nice, and if they have good customer service, there's a chance they may give him a better-than-average price on replacing that part if he plays his cards right.

I worked in the returns dept. for an aftermarket automotive company who did something similar. And we didn't chastize anyone for "not manning-up to their responsibility" either. Unless they were complete douchebags asking for a 6-speed sequential gearbox because their differential failed.

You may get back to your now.