Long Term Report: Rockshox Pike Charger Damper

allen mueller · Nov 4, 2015

Does any one have experience with the new seal head that's mentioned in the updated service manual for the air spring side?

project_d · Nov 4, 2015

Miker J said:
Can the ChArge damper be bled without removing it from the fork?

Yes if you let out the air and remove the cap from the left leg. However, I find it's best to do it when doing a lower leg service, since you need to cycle the rod up and down several times. I bleed my Charger Damper every 3rd or 4th lower leg service.

bing! · Nov 4, 2015

project_d said:
Yes if you let out the air and remove the cap from the left leg. However, I find it's best to do it when doing a lower leg service, since you need to cycle the rod up and down several times. I bleed my Charger Damper every 3rd or 4th lower leg service.

Just to add, by unscrewing the top cap of the damper, and unbolting it from the lower leg, you can pull the damper off quite easily for maintenance.

half_man_half_scab · Nov 4, 2015

Interesting that the solo air seal head also got replaced. I didn't notice that in the kit I got, but I'll take a look at home tonight. I hope they ditch the previous iteration internal snap rings, I'd match rather have the Fox style that don't require snap ring pliers.

Techspec360 · Nov 4, 2015

allen mueller said:
Does any one have experience with the new seal head that's mentioned in the updated service manual for the air spring side?

View attachment 1026452

Interesting. Wonder what's different other than the look.

half_man_half_scab · Nov 6, 2015

Just swapped in both new seal heads. I couldn't really see any substantial differences on the air side. It feels like it always does with a fresh bleed, we'll see how it goes in the long term.

kelstr · Nov 7, 2015

rockman said:
Well, that's what your LBS would order from BTI so that's what's available. At least from them. Perhaps the updated sealhead is not yet available from SRAM?

I have been getting the new seal head for over three months now in the SRAM complete O/H Kit part number 11.4018.027.003 Solo air and they have been working great, I order it right from BikeMan $42.99 and it comes with a few more pieces than the BTI kit including the new seal head.

kelstr · Nov 7, 2015

rockman said:
The damper sealhead that BTI lists is 11.4015.353.030. The pic I posted above. It would be nice to know if it's the updated one or what it looks like before ordering one.

That picture is of the old seal head, however that part number is the original seal head and the new seal head number, SRAM is not going to superseed with a new number. ( so said SRAM at this time )
So you need to call any supplier and have them check the head and make sure its got the new Green SKF seal in the head and it will be the new head assembly.

If it has the old black seal in it than its the old head and seal, it will take awhile to rid the old head assemblies off the shelves of suppliers that really don't know whats going on.

bing! · Nov 7, 2015

NSD seal heads back up on Amazon. Available direct as well.

Happy trails!

kelstr · Nov 9, 2015

allen mueller said:
Does any one have experience with the new seal head that's mentioned in the updated service manual for the air spring side?
View attachment 1026452

I have one 16 Pike that has the new air side seal head in it and the old 14 Pike thats on my bike now has the old air side seal head in it and I can't tell any difference either way, they both work fine and have not had any problems with either one !

half_man_half_scab said:
Just swapped in both new seal heads. I couldn't really see any substantial differences on the air side. It feels like it always does with a fresh bleed, we'll see how it goes in the long term.

I just love the new updated seal head with the green skf seal in the thing, the way they relocated the bushing out further for more support when running 160mm travel and made the body larger for the new sf seal and the way it fits so nice and free floating with no stiction on the shaft is nice.

Nice photo you shot of the new head !

EgonNO · Nov 10, 2015

Does anybody know if the new complete service kit (11.4018.027.003) includes the new black skf dust seals? (Old ones)

Left, the new 35 mm black skf dust seal made for the Lyrik. Right, the new skf seal for the charger camper.

If not, I'm wondering if I should order the green aftermarket dust seals from skf as well as the service kit. Second pic.

jimarin · Nov 11, 2015

EgonNO said:
Does anybody know if the new complete service kit (11.4018.027.003) includes the new black skf dust seals? (Old ones)

View attachment 1027799
Left, the new 35 mm black skf dust seal made for the Lyrik. Right, the new skf seal for the charger camper.

If not, I'm wondering if I should order the green aftermarket dust seals from skf as well as the service kit. Second pic.

Pretty sure dust wiper seals aren't included.

Gman086 · Nov 11, 2015

jimarin said:
Pretty sure dust wiper seals aren't included.

Why do you say that? It is my understanding that RS went with SKF seals for dust seals as well as piston head seals along with the charger damper seal for 2016 so I sure as hell hope they would be included in the new seal kits!

Have FUN!

G MAN

Entrenador · Nov 11, 2015

EgonNO said:
Does anybody know if the new complete service kit (11.4018.027.003) includes the new black skf dust seals? Left, the new 35 mm black skf dust seal made for the Lyrik. Right, the new skf seal for the charger camper.

If not, I'm wondering if I should order the green aftermarket dust seals from skf as well as the service kit.

Staring at the kit. It's complete, but the wiper seals are marked "Rockshox" - no SKF on it. The lower damper seal head is the updated one, green sprung seal. I've got the green SKF aftermarket seals (purchased a few months prior) and they certainly work well - smooth travel, but no idea if they're better than the RS ones. If I had either but not both, I'd just use what I had.

gasmanxj · Nov 11, 2015

Entrenador said:
Staring at the kit. It's complete, but the wiper seals are marked "Rockshox" - no SKF on it. The lower damper seal head is the updated one, green sprung seal.

Same thing here. Just got the Bikeman kit and the wipers are not marked SKF so not sure if they are or not. Compared to an older set of RS ones and they appear identical. Does for sure come with the SKF damper seal and updated air side seal head as mentioned. I tried the Push wipers and there's definitely less stiction but they both have started to leak at around 500 miles. Time for a full service anyway and I do ride in a dusty environment, but wipe down the stanchions after every ride.

Rick Draper · Nov 11, 2015

Entrenador said:
Staring at the kit. It's complete, but the wiper seals are marked "Rockshox" - no SKF on it. The lower damper seal head is the updated one, green sprung seal. I've got the green SKF aftermarket seals (purchased a few months prior) and they certainly work well - smooth travel, but no idea if they're better than the RS ones. If I had either but not both, I'd just use what I had.

I have a new Lyric and the wiper seals in that are black SKF branded ones. I assume you have a older set of wiper seals in your kit.

rockman · Nov 11, 2015

No experience with them but these low-friction seals from PUSH are also an option for the Pike. PUSH Ultra Low Friction Fork Seal Kit ? PUSH Industries

jimarin · Nov 11, 2015

Gman086 said:
Why do you say that? It is my understanding that RS went with SKF seals for dust seals as well as piston head seals along with the charger damper seal for 2016 so I sure as hell hope they would be included in the new seal kits!

Have FUN!

G MAN

I stand corrected. A picture I saw of the kit didn't have them. Shame they aren't the skf version (or at least don't appear to be).

gasmanxj · Nov 12, 2015

Based on the pic from Rick Draper, the wiper seals shipping in the upgrade kit (at least for now) are not the new SKF ones. Maybe they needed to get rid of the old stock....

EgonNO · Nov 12, 2015

My thoughts as well, maybe one day the upgraded full service kit will suddenly include the new skf dust wipers. In the mean time if you want them, the part number is 11.4018.028.013 (not in stock atm).

Anyway, my research is done, I'm sending an order for 11.4018.028.013 (SKF dust seals) and 11.4018.027.003 (SA full service kit) to my lbs.

(For those with an DPA, 11.4018.027.004 is the correct part number for the full service kit).

Long Term Report: Rockshox Pike Charger Damper

allen mueller

project_d

bing!

half_man_half_scab

Techspec360

half_man_half_scab

kelstr

kelstr

bing!

kelstr

EgonNO

jimarin

Gman086

Entrenador

gasmanxj

Rick Draper

rockman

jimarin

gasmanxj

EgonNO

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