[acunha]

After servicing my "spare" Rockshox Duke XC last week, I got courage to do a basic service (cleaning, oil change, etc) to my "official" Manitou R7 absolute...

These are not my real photos, but they are exactly the same scene

I started by complete disassembly :

Then I took out the Platofrm valve :

But to put those foam blocks back to the fork, I got them damaged a little... Will this hurt the plush feeling of suspension ?

Also, maybe I've put a little more oil than this :

I think I left oil level at the same level of the thread... is this so bad ?

I took out an spacer in the lower side of air leg (left side of this photo)... it was 15mm long.. is this a good change ?

After putting all together (oil both sides, grease, ai, etc), everythink looks fine and it works well, but the fork is not more plush tha before... it still needs some weight to start working, like it has some inertia due to bushing or lack of lubrication in the lower legs (i've put ATF oil on it, according to the instructions)... is this normal ? Is there anything I can do to make it better or Manitou is just like that ?

Thanks a lot !
Anderson Cunha

 

[Vespasianus]

https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/3027997363_42f9e670cf_o.jpg[/IMG]

I think I left oil level at the same level of the thread... is this so bad ?

You should check the manual to make sure you have the right amount of oil. Too much will cause problems. Is that picture the bottom of the fork? If so, you really need to add oil from the top and add what is recommended.

 

[acunha]

You should check the manual to make sure you have the right amount of oil. Too much will cause problems. Is that picture the bottom of the fork? If so, you really need to add oil from the top and add what is recommended.

Unfortunately, Manitou manual is really bad and generic... there is no specific manual for R7 absolute... and the manual tell you to put the platoform valve by the top of the fork, wich is completely impossible with the oil inside... that is why I did it from the bottom, following instructions of a friend here...

Yes, the picture is from the bottom of the fork...

Thank you anyway...

 

[Vespasianus]

Unfortunately, Manitou manual is really bad and generic... there is no specific manual for R7 absolute... and the manual tell you to put the platoform valve by the top of the fork, wich is completely impossible with the oil inside... that is why I did it from the bottom, following instructions of a friend here...

Yes, the picture is from the bottom of the fork...

Thank you anyway...

Go here:

http://www.manitoumtb.com/guides/Forks/MRD Service Guide[1].pdf?cvar1=2/26/2009+11:54:59+AM

That is the service guide. You want the oil to be 120mm down from the top threads.

 

[acunha]

Thanks fro trying to help, but this is not my fork... if you compare my photos and the manual, they are quite different...

Go here:

http://www.manitoumtb.com/guides/Forks/MRD Service Guide[1].pdf?cvar1=2/26/2009+11:54:59+AM

That is the service guide. You want the oil to be 120mm down from the top threads.

 

[two-one]

I also took apart my R7 Super Absolute, but I was wise enough to leave the damper-assembly alone for the time being
Why did you take out the 15mm spacer? Did you want more suspensiontravel? Because I doubt the specific spacer is meant for that purpose. Its more like a bumper or something.
I had a 100mm version, but placed some metal washers between the negative spring and the pushrod (right side of the spring on the picture above), so now I have a 80mm version that works better in my GF Big Sur.

 

[Vespasianus]

Thanks fro trying to help, but this is not my fork... if you compare my photos and the manual, they are quite different...

The oil heights relate to every R7 or Minute fork. Even though your fork is not this, it will be very close. What year and model is it?

 

[acunha]

I am almost sure that I will put the 15mm spacer back...I like de idea to have more travel, but I don't want to raise the fork because we climb mountains most of the time, usually more than 20% rate... so, to raise the front side of the bike is not a good idea...

What bothers me more right now is the high amount of stiction... Compared to my wife's SID 2008, the Manitou needs a lot of wight/pressure in order to start working...

I will try to use another kind of grease in dust caps, and put a little bit more oil in the upper side of air chamber, and also in the lower legs... I will post results tomorrow...

I also took apart my R7 Super Absolute, but I was wise enough to leave the damper-assembly alone for the time being
Why did you take out the 15mm spacer? Did you want more suspensiontravel? Because I doubt the specific spacer is meant for that purpose. Its more like a bumper or something.
I had a 100mm version, but placed some metal washers between the negative spring and the pushrod (right side of the spring on the picture above), so now I have a 80mm version that works better in my GF Big Sur.

 

[acunha]

It is an R7 absolute, 2007 with 30mm legs... I remember that I took 110mm of oil when I opened it... I will measure now how much oil I have put to compare... thanks !

The oil heights relate to every R7 or Minute fork. Even though your fork is not this, it will be very close. What year and model is it?