[NotQuiteJdm]

Ok..I was thinking about selling the current shock my bike..an El Jefe but I did some searching and found out I myself, a n00b can service the shock w/ parts from a MX shop. Anyone ever rebuilt their El Jefe themselves? I bought the bike w/ this on it so I don't know the condition of the internals but I do know the spring has alot of rust on it. How much would all the parts cost and a new spring? I'll probably just email Stratos...but if anyone has any helpful info please post up!

 

[vitox]

unless you have reason to suspect otherwise, that shock can go on for a couple of seasons without needing maintenance. as an example, a friend of mine opened his up after over 2 years of dh racing use and said that he got the feeling the shock was better when he opened it than when he closed it after maintenance.

 

[NotQuiteJdm]

This one is probably right around the 2yr mark, I personally have ridden on it 4 times and it seemed fine but the spring is all rusted so it makes me wonder about other parts..here's a pic.

 

[vitox]

hmm

the spring probably is rusting due to some problem with the surface coating, it just shouldnt rust like that, its your call really but my idea was to tell you that the jefe is extremely well sealed and that if in doubt about the possibility of performing a really good maintenance to it, it might be better to just leave it until you find a better solution.

 

[DHS]

damn to me the spring looks too short for that that stroke shock, like the spring would bottom out first before the shock does....

 

[Kornphlake]

damn to me the spring looks too short for that that stroke shock, like the spring would bottom out first before the shock does....

to me it looks like the right spring, or maybe one too long but you've got way too much preload.

 

[NotQuiteJdm]

I found out that there's a 550lb spring on it now.. Strato's responded to my e-mail....

"Our fit list shows the shock should be shimmed and sprung with at least a
700lb spring. The shock would have to be sent in for reshimming the rebound
and compression ($75) and changing of the spring ($70). You may want to
first ride the shock to get familiar with it and get a feel on how it
responds to your riding style."

So I guess i'll be getting that done...I wish the TI springs wern't so much *sigh*

 

[zedro]

a rusted spring has no indication on the internals of your damper, just like a rusty bolt sitting next to it would

 

[NotQuiteJdm]

a rusted spring has no indication on the internals of your damper, just like a rusty bolt sitting next to it would

Thanks for the clarification Capt. Guy.