Not sure how many people this will interest, but I know there's nothing out there on the topic (and there have been a couple questions about it) so hopefully this will be useful at some stage.
Most people will know how to service the air sleeve on fox air shocks, as they provide detailed instructions on how to do this. It's very simple and worth doing to keep the air spring running smoothly, and prevent seal issues that cause stuck-down shocks.
But bleeding these things seemed a bit of a black art, you couldn't really just dump it in an oil bath like a conventional shock, and there were many telltale signs that this wasn't the way it was done at factory. My original ideas are in this post, and that's pretty much the method this guide follows. I'm lazy so this assumes you can bleed a standard shock, set IFP depths, etc.
1a. Relieve both pressure valves
1b. Remove airsleeve (refer fox instructions)
1c. Remove resovoir endcap (24mm socket)
2a. Remove plastic plug from bleed port screw (takes 4mm key)
2b. The above is a pain, but you only have to do it once
2c. Be really careful not to scratch the shaft in the process
3a. Obtain boxxer rebound footbolt (hollow)
3b. Wrap threads in teflon tape to assist sealing
3c. Thread bolt into bleed port, 1 to 1.5 turns only
4a. Get a big syringe, attach thick tubing, enough to fit over bolt
4b. Ziptie tubing to syringe and bolt, tightly
4c. Fill with oil of choice
4d. I used a 50/50 mix of Silkolene Pro RSF 2.5 and 5wt
4e. Refer to this post for bleeding method.
4f. Keep syringe vertical at all times (not shown) to prevent air entry
5a. Set IFP depth, 35mm is a good starting point
5b. Close everything back up
5c. Be sure not to let air enter anywhere
6a. Grease all air seals
6b. Reinstall air sleeve/s, leave a gap to pour oil in
6c. Add 10-15ml of lubrication oil into air chamber
6d. Fully close air sleeve, thread shut.
6e. Repressurise everything
6f. Double check boost pressure, it will change after filling main chamber.
7a. Reinstall shock and ride!
7b. If it's too loud, you let air in...
Most people will know how to service the air sleeve on fox air shocks, as they provide detailed instructions on how to do this. It's very simple and worth doing to keep the air spring running smoothly, and prevent seal issues that cause stuck-down shocks.
But bleeding these things seemed a bit of a black art, you couldn't really just dump it in an oil bath like a conventional shock, and there were many telltale signs that this wasn't the way it was done at factory. My original ideas are in this post, and that's pretty much the method this guide follows. I'm lazy so this assumes you can bleed a standard shock, set IFP depths, etc.
1a. Relieve both pressure valves
1b. Remove airsleeve (refer fox instructions)
1c. Remove resovoir endcap (24mm socket)
2a. Remove plastic plug from bleed port screw (takes 4mm key)
2b. The above is a pain, but you only have to do it once
2c. Be really careful not to scratch the shaft in the process
3a. Obtain boxxer rebound footbolt (hollow)
3b. Wrap threads in teflon tape to assist sealing
3c. Thread bolt into bleed port, 1 to 1.5 turns only
4a. Get a big syringe, attach thick tubing, enough to fit over bolt
4b. Ziptie tubing to syringe and bolt, tightly
4c. Fill with oil of choice
4d. I used a 50/50 mix of Silkolene Pro RSF 2.5 and 5wt
4e. Refer to this post for bleeding method.
4f. Keep syringe vertical at all times (not shown) to prevent air entry
5a. Set IFP depth, 35mm is a good starting point
5b. Close everything back up
5c. Be sure not to let air enter anywhere
6a. Grease all air seals
6b. Reinstall air sleeve/s, leave a gap to pour oil in
6c. Add 10-15ml of lubrication oil into air chamber
6d. Fully close air sleeve, thread shut.
6e. Repressurise everything
6f. Double check boost pressure, it will change after filling main chamber.
7a. Reinstall shock and ride!
7b. If it's too loud, you let air in...