Suspension systems are highly pressurized. Incorrect disassembly can result in serious injury or death. This level of service is only for experienced and confident mechanics. These tools are for home mechanics only, not for professional workshop use.

• You’re comfortable bleeding brakes and changing pads
• You know how to pull a cassette out, work on your freehub and change bearings on your bike
• You’ve done at least two fork lower leg service (50-hour interval) and were very comfortable with it
• You’ve used a torque wrench or luggage scale to torque parts properly
• You understand what an IFP or bladder is, how it works, and how to pressurize your damper
• You know all the suspension words and parts
• You understand what is pressurized in your suspensions and what is not
• You understand well what bleeding air from a hydraulic circuit means

• Rear Shocks: All air shocks are pressurized in both the air spring and damper. Always depressurize slowly with the shock mounted on your bike, drop pressure 30–50 psi at a time and cycle it to equalize chambers. If it “sucks down,” reinflate, stroke, and try again. If you don’t do it on the bike, it will be hard to pull when it starts to suck down. The negative pressure can’t escape, so it becomes stronger than the positive spring.
• Coil Shocks: Damper is still pressurized. Never assume it’s safe. Learn the correct depressurization method first.
• Forks: Air spring is pressurized. Fully release all air before service. Most dampers in forks are not pressurized, but check your model’s manual.
  • Equalize the chambers at the end so all remaining pressure is released from the positive chamber as the fork gets sucked down.

After releasing air from the Schrader valve or with a needle, always open the bleed port slowly, especially on highly aerated shocks (squishy) and air shocks in general.

If you insert a needle or push the piggyback cap and it hits something right away, your IFP is likely at the top and you are contacting it. That’s dangerous. The damper is still pressurized.

When oil becomes aerated, it takes more volume. Even if you release pressure from the IFP reservoir, the oil can stay pressurized because the IFP hits the top.

Wear safety glasses.

Point the shock away from your body into a plastic bucket or tray. Release remaining pressure slowly.

• RockShox Trailhead (Serial # Lookup)
• FOX TuneID Lookup

Use your serial number or TuneID to find full specs and manuals.

• FOX Full Service Procedures
• Cane Creek Service Instructions
• RockShox Official Manuals
• DVO Suspension Guides

• RockShox Oil Volume Chart
• FOX Oil Volume Chart
• DVO Oil Chart
• For forks equipped with GRIP dampers, always match the oil in your lowers to the damper oil. GRIP dampers slowly ingest lower-leg oil into the damping circuit, so if you top up the lowers with a different viscosity (example: 20 wt while the damper uses 4 wt), the fork will gradually feel harsher. Use the same oil weight.

Cane Creek Helm: Use Motorex 15 wt Fork Oil or FOX 20 wt Gold: 5 ml in Air Spring, 7 ml in Damper Leg.

Rule of thumb: 15–20 ml per leg unless otherwise specified. FOX GRIP dampers often require 40 ml because they recirculate and overflow oil from the damper side.

Ohlins or boutique brands: Find a manual or use best judgment if you’re confident. We don’t cover them.

• Watch multiple YouTube videos of your specific shock being rebuilt
• Understand how it’s pressurized: Needle Pellet, RockShox IFP Adapter, or a standard shock pump
• Check the Essential Tools Checklist and Other Important Tools
• Make sure you have a bench vise and understand safe shaft clamping procedures

⚠️ Every tool we sell has a specific manual on our website.

Don’t guess how to use shaft clamps or sockets. If you mess this up, the shaft will slip and the shock can be damaged. Read the instructions. Follow them.

If you’re stuck, tell us exactly where you got stuck and what you did. We’ll help.

Bear in mind, if you’ve read this far, you’re smarter than most. You care, and that alone makes a good mechanic. Be precise. Be patient. You got this.