Fork grease query.....

[gairym]

Apologies in advance for the not entirely on-topic query but this question (whilst being general bike maintenance orientated) is about my main bikepacking bike's forks and so I feel that I can just about get away with it!

Ok, here we go.....

I'm about to embark on my most ambitious workshop project to date and service my Rockshox 'Reba RLT Ti' forks.

I've got the official 'Technical Manual' and I thought I had all of the required tools and consumables but apparently not!

I've just seen that I need: 'Grease (Suspension Oil Soluble)'.

So, my question is this:

Is this grease something super-special that I'll need to buy or will one of my two current greases do the job?

They are a 'general grease' for 'permanent bearing applications' and a lithium bearing grease.

Any ideas....?

I'm really miffed that I hadn't previously noticed this requirement and so any help (ideally telling me that I can use one of my existing greases) is greatly appreciated (as always).

Cheers, Gairy.

[Bearbonesnorm]

What / where does it tell you to apply the grease?

[gairym]

ok, the grease is used to.....

- apply grease to the o-rings.

- apply a liberal, even layer of grease, along the
inside of the upper tube.

- apply a liberal amount of grease to the air piston
o-rings and the air shaft.

- apply grease to the travel adjustment seal head
inner o-ring.

- apply a thin film of grease to the snap ring
groove inside of the open end of the air spring
tube.

- apply grease to the travel
adjustment seal head threads and shaft o-ring.

- apply a small amount of grease to the inner
surfaces of the dust wipers, oil seals, and foam
rings (if applicable).

(this is assuming I do EVERYTHING in the servicing manual (which I hopefully won't need to).

that any help to you in deciding my fate....?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Urm ... it's the O rings that bother me. Some grease can swell rubber and cause the O rings to distort. Everything they've listed is to do with assembly rather than internal lubrication, so once back together they want the grease to dissolve ... I doubt either of yours will.

Do you have any 'light' oil, eg 3 in 1? I'd use that in place of the grease, any excess will just get 'swallowed up' in the suspension fluid once they're back together.

[MM-on-POINT]

Yes some grease can do as Stu said, this grease application is mearly to stop tears and distorting the rubbers when fitting, i used normal weldlite grease when serviced and greased my coil spring on my pikes and they seem fine 2years later if you are really worrid then do not use grease but use sus oil or 3in1.
Personaly i would just use a very light smear of weldlite grease.
alternativly ring fishers outdoors tech guys for confirmation

[gairym]

hmmm.....ok, think i'll just use either sus-oil or 3-in-1 and hope for the best.

cheers fellas.

will most likely post again once i open the things up and they explode in my face!

[MM-on-POINT]

@Gairym.
I have to back track on my last post as i did not read the sevice manuel bit properly!?
You would use grease as instructed.
lithium grease or wheel ball bearing for a higher heat tolerance, as some of these parts are moving parts in a compressed air system and get hot in operation!
So if you used oil it would just burn away and make said parts bind and tear/wear quickly hence the grease.

Hope this makes things clearer
White lighting make a clear grease that is super slippy and surpriseing gel like:-)

[Bearbonesnorm]

I've just seen that I need: 'Grease (Suspension Oil Soluble)'.

MM-on-point ... they want the grease to disperse, it's only for assembly purposes.

[gairym]

I've just seen that I need: 'Grease (Suspension Oil Soluble)'.

MM-on-point ... they want the grease to disperse, it's only for assembly purposes.

yeah, that's what i was thinking.

the very fact that it needs to be oil soluble made me think that there'd be another solution.

i'm sure it'll be fine.

[gairym]

thanks both for taking the time to help!

[MM-on-POINT]

Ok i stand corrected. :?
plus the wife was talking/nagging at me so i missed quite a lot if the origenal question;-) well thats my excuse