[spocomptonrider]

So I went for a XC ride today aboard my trusty Stumjumper today. There is a pretty big climb towards the end followed by a fun little downhill section that I always use my Talas feature for, slam 'er up the climb then let it back out for the downhill usually no big deal (aside from having to turn the knob 3-4 full turns).

Today when I got to the top of the climb I unwound the Talas as usual but it only moved about 10mm before stopping, I knew this wasn't the full travel, so I picked the front end up for a few seconds to allow it to fully extend... nothing. Finally I stopped and got off the bike to see what was up, after bouncing the fork a couple times with no weight on in to no result I had to physically pull the crown and fork arch apart to get it to extend (it didn't require much effort but still strange).

The fork is regularly serviced and by no means abused (I have a DH bike for when it's time to get real rowdy) that being said it is also used quite frequently to its potential. Has anyone else had a problem like this? Possible solutions? Its an '06 Talas 32 RL BTW.

-edit- mod can you move this to the Mechanics Q&A?

 

[zebrahum]

The TALAS may be dead. It's not serviceable by most shops so it'll probably have to go back. I think what happened is a seal went bad and it's keeping the fork from extending. What happens when you let all the air out? Does it go all the way down by its self or does it stay up a bit? Who knows, when you let all the air out and refill it, it could go back to normal. I've seen weirder.

 

[Racebike]

Sound like the TALAS pressure has dropped.

Firstly, try out zebrahum's trick with a refill, but if it does'nt help you probably need to service and refill the TALAS-unit.

The service kit for that unit can be bought but you need a special tool for refilling the TALAS. Fox don't sell these to just anyone but enduroforkseals have made one that you can buy from their site.

Usually it's the seal around the top of the TALAS-unit that has failed.

That little tool will run you about 90$ so if you are not confident with such things and/or can't be bothered, send it in for a service with Fox.

The TALAS should be pressurized to 150 psi if I remember correctly.

 

[oldfart]

The air for the spring and air for the TALAS are separate. A good shop can service the Talas as could a home mechnaic, but I understand that it is a fiddly thing to clock it correctly. I watched a good suspension guy do it to a newer three position TALAS and he hasd to try a couple times beforew he got it right. I would guess that it a worn seal in the TALAS mechanism.