Baja Shock issue-retracting

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JVT73

Well-Known Member
Messages
289
Location
Pennsylvania
Guys,
As part of my tear down on the Baja 5b, I disassembled the shocks cleaned and replaced the fluid(Baja shock oil not silicone based). I had a leaker and figured they all needed service. Anyway, one shock wants to retract back into the shock body. I'm using Fast Eddie bleeder caps and have fiddled with this shock for hours last night making sure to bleed all the air out of it. I was successfull with the other three rather quickly! All I can figure is that maybe the piston holes(2hole piston in front shock) are somewhat plugged or the outer seal that snaps into the groove is wore out? I'm at a loss. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Guys,
As part of my tear down on the Baja 5b, I disassembled the shocks cleaned and replaced the fluid(Baja shock oil not silicone based). I had a leaker and figured they all needed service. Anyway, one shock wants to retract back into the shock body. I'm using Fast Eddie bleeder caps and have fiddled with this shock for hours last night making sure to bleed all the air out of it. I was successfull with the other three rather quickly! All I can figure is that maybe the piston holes(2hole piston in front shock) are somewhat plugged or the outer seal that snaps into the groove is wore out? I'm at a loss. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Never mind Guy's,
Got back to the hotel after letting the shock set all day & it worked fine. So, I'm not happy with that positive-negative! Took it apart again & cycled the shaft again with the cap off. Looked ok, put cap back on topped off shock through the TFE bleeder cap & low& behold same crap...the shock shaft retracts!! Now I'm pissed, take the cap off cycle the shock & no air! Really pissed at this point & cycle the shaft like it was my job (no inferred/puns) & bang, the air bubble came out, fluid hit the ceiling in the hotel then dropped straight down to my lap!!! I'm learning! Once again, you can't make this S?!@ up! lol
IMG_0370.JPG
 
Words would've been good enough jvt73 we believe you no one here wants to see a pic of you crouch lol.
LOL, yeh not very flattering, none the less, I was wrong about the air in the shock! Re-assembled and still the same retraction. Changed out the piston and seal, added more oil and still the same retraction. Measured shock housing vs. the others, no measurable difference...wth am I doing wrong? I dumped out oil in other front shock, re-filled, bled air-all is good-nice dead shock, go back to the other, re-do same as above and it retracts on its own! Used up 60cc of Baja shock oil jacking around with this shock! Unless there is some thing that I'm missing?
 
I can't remember, do they have bladders at the top like typical shocks? I've can't recall ever having one go back in, but I usually fully compress mine, then put the cap on. Then when I actuate them, they rebound a little bit (come out) after being fully compressed.
 
I can't remember, do they have bladders at the top like typical shocks? I've can't recall ever having one go back in, but I usually fully compress mine, then put the cap on. Then when I actuate them, they rebound a little bit (come out) after being fully compressed.
No bladder, per instruction they are to be filled from the bottom. Sort of a reverse fill & bleed. I am using the Fast Eddie bleeder caps so, I fill them to about 1/4" from top, install cap, loosen bleeder and compress shock shaft all the way down to remove any air/bubbles+oil. It worked on the other three just fine but not this one. I've tried everything I can think of. My last thought is that the internal diameter is so wore out that that's what is causing it? I don't know, I'm stumped! I've rotated caps, switched pistons, dunno
 
Did you by any chance find the culprit?

My only 2 leads here are

i- the inside of the shock body is contaminated with some chemical residue that influences the oil properties once there is vacuum. I would disassemble everything and rinse the inside of shock body and shock shaft with chlorinated brake cleaner but use soap to clean the nylon parts such as piston, washers, o-rings, and oil seals. Brake-cleaner would eat up those nylon parts in seconds.

ii- the shock membrane (if you have one in there) is damaged because of exposure to incompatible chemicals or old age and is not flexible/robust enough to bounce back with speed.

Also, what kind of oil is one supposed to pour into Baja shock dampers? You said not silicone oil, but what other kind of oil could one use which would not react with the oil seals or o-rings and nylon parts?

I know I am resurrecting a cadaver post btw...
 

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