How to shorten fox floats to fit 2016 front ends

[Martens199]

I have updated my 2015 front arms to the 2016 version. Now I was suppose to be supplied a spacer with my kit to shorten up the shocks. I bought the kit second hand and he did not have any such spacers.
Will I actually have to shorten up the fox shocks or is that just for the models with coil overs shocks?

 

[cannondale27]

It's for both. Just did it for a buddies floats. Off top of my head I think it's 1.250?

 

[Martens199]

.504 is what they say. Hard to do? I have never had these apart. Any special tools?

 

[Martens199]

I would like to make the spacers myself it someone can provide all the dimensions. If Someone can point me in direction for some how to videos or where the spacer goes would be appreciated!

 

[cannondale27]

It requires complete disassembly of shock and removal of the piston. Spacer goes between piston/top out washer and the Negative spring inside shock. The shaft is 1/2 in so make your spacer 1.062 od x .500 id x .500 long out of Aluminum or Delrin. Basicly you will be doing a refresh of the shock. So unless you have done that I would send them off to someone who does shock rebuilds especially since Fox Float 3 requires a special spanner to get it apart. The spanner is about $85 itself and you would also need to recharge the Nitrogen in shock. When I do a refresh on customers shocks adding a spacer is no additional charge since it requires no additional work. I would think the others would do same. Just need to find a guy near you.

 

[Martens199]

It requires complete disassembly of shock and removal of the piston. Spacer goes between piston/top out washer and the Negative spring inside shock. The shaft is 1/2 in so make your spacer 1.062 od x .500 id x .500 long out of Aluminum or Delrin. Basicly you will be doing a refresh of the shock. So unless you have done that I would send them off to someone who does shock rebuilds especially since Fox Float 3 requires a special spanner to get it apart. The spanner is about $85 itself and you would also need to recharge the Nitrogen in shock. When I do a refresh on customers shocks adding a spacer is no additional charge since it requires no additional work. I would think the others would do same. Just need to find a guy near you.

Thanks,
I will look into someone doing it for me then!

 

[Martens199]

Hey canndale27, what is the reasoning behind shortening the shocks? When all the air is removed from the shock I can work the arms up and down completely. Almost seems like is doesn't need it.. But I sure there's a reason

 

[Martens199]

I might have answered my own question. Shortens (extended) length, I will double check extended clearances tomorrow.

 

[cannondale27]

Yes. Usually one of the ball joints will bind when turned at full droop. That's dangerous since ballpoint could let go. Could do same thing with a strap but wouldn't look very good.

 

[Martens199]

Here is where you run into trouble. Steering linkage contacts lower a arm, when filling the shock 30psi plus.

 

[Martens199]

Here is where you run into trouble. Steering linkage contacts lower a arm, when filling the shock 30psi plus.

This is only at full extend and full crank of the steering. Wish there was a different option would like the extra height of the longer shocks.

 

[cannondale27]

Must be too much bump steer if rod was moved up on spindle or they would have done that.

 

[SnoNinja]

.504 is what they say. Hard to do? I have never had these apart. Any special tools?

I assume going to 38" front end from 40"? If I recall correctly, 42" shocks were 18.6", 40" shocks were 17.9", and 38" were 17.1". All those are extended length center to center on the eyes.

If only changing to 16 spindles and arms but staying 40" wide, no need to change shock length.

 

[Martens199]

I assume going to 38" front end from 40"? If I recall correctly, 42" shocks were 18.6", 40" shocks were 17.9", and 38" were 17.1". All those are extended length center to center on the eyes.

If only changing to 16 spindles and arms but staying 40" wide, no need to change shock length.

Yeah I'm going from 38" to 36". Yeah sounds about right with measurement. Guess I will just get them shortened.

 

[SnoNinja]

Yeah I'm going from 38" to 36". Yeah sounds about right with measurement. Guess I will just get them shortened.

I don't remember the length change from 38" to 36" if there was one. The way I did it was to drop the suspension out as far as I wanted it to, and then cycled the bars through all ranges of steering. when I was sure the tie rod would clear the lower arms and such, I measured the length eye to eye length and that is what I had my shocks shortened to.