Ive tried to service my 170mm devilles, I've used the Motul very light 2.5W oil in the damper, but my rebound is now miles to fast (it was also miles to fast with some silkolene 10wt pro in it). Does anyone have an idea what i could be doing wrong? or what could be wrong with my damper
BikeBert I am preparing to service my Bos Deville and have found this post very useful. I was wondering if you could explain the process involved in bleeding the damper and chasing the air from the cartridge. Also are there any other pitfalls that I should look out for? I have ordered the Motul oil as recommended so hopefully I have everything prepared. Cheers Jez
Here's how to bleed the damper and chase the air from the cartridge:
1. Pour oil into upper leg allowing oil to settle into the cartridge. 2. Pull the rod and stanchion tube up and down a bit until it is filled about an 100 mm from the top fully compressed. 3. Cycle rod to remove any air bubbles until damping is smooth through out the stroke. 4. Add more oil as per manual [see below].
Measuring the oil level: - Push down the stanchion - Pull out the rebound rod - Measure the distance between the top of the stanchion and the oil - Deville 140 : 60mm | Deville 160 : 50 mm
Even after 2 years the seals didn't need replacement so I left the old ones. BOS makes the best seals out there! I know some guys used the new Fox SKF seals as alternative but I wouldn't go there. If you're looking for BOS ones you can get them in these stores: 1) www.madelkcycles.com 2) www.surf-sales.com
i just got my fork back from Bos, had it warrantyed after the air side seal's blow. (had 5bar in fork), they told that normaly those seals/oil need replacement every 1-2 year depending how often i ride. Just wanted to know if in future i need to replace them where can i get some. Anyways thanks for links, and good that you added photos.
Got them out in the end, bent the screwdriver though!! Just a quick question, the high low rebound knob on the bottom, how does it go back together? Do you tighten the Allen bolt on top and the Allen bolt on the side of the red knob when both knobs are fully closed? Thanks
Glad you managed to remove the seal without breaking anything, aside form screwdriver
As for the rebound knobs assembly: [1] You put the red knob first and tighten the small Allen bolt on the side. [2] Then you put the silver knob and tighten the bolt at the bottom. [3] It's good to hold the silver knob with some adjustable wrench so it won't turn while tightening the bolt.
It's good to remove, clean and lube air piston from the left upper leg. However, you don't need to remove the rod on the bottom. Please refer to the picture below for basic service and oil change: www.pinkbike.com/photo/9141036
Other recommended oils: Golden Spectro 85/150 Cartridge Fork Fluid 5wt Pro Honda HP Fork Oil 5wt Pro Circuit Fork Fluid PC-01 Yamalube 01 Suspension Oil / KYB 01 Bel-Ray Fork Fluid 5wt
Remember that when choosing the right oil do it based on oil viscosity [cSt@40C] and DO NOT GO BY LABELED OIL WEIGHT, e.g. 2,5W or 7wt. Different oil weights can have same viscosity and the other way around, e.g. Fox Suspension Fluid 7wt - 31.82 cSt @ 40C Red Line Suspension Fluid 10wt - 30.40 cSt @ 40C
As for the oil level: - Push down the stanchion - Pull out the rebound rod - Measure the distance between the top of the stanchion and the oil - Deville 140 : 60mm | Deville 160 : 50 mm The picture below might help [don't mind the spring]: goo.gl/rtl1nh
Remember not to over-tight the bolts as they are aluminum and could be easily damaged. You also have to bleed the damper before and chase all the air from the cartridge but I presume you've done it before. And finally, remember to screw the top cap on the cartridge side with the fork fully extended, you might put some pressure into air side to help the fork extend. If you close the cartridge side while the fork is compressed you introduce some vacuum into the fork and it will eat some of the travel and cause inconsistent damping.
One more thing, use some light grease on the dust and oil seals, e.g. Slick Honey or Rock 'n Roll Super Slick. After service the fork should work as new.