Inside the Fox 1.5 Zero RC Front Shocks

cannondale27

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These are off a 17 Sidewinder SE with 2500mi on it. Nice 5/8 shaft and Rebound adjuster is very adjustable with great effect of both rebound and compression to a lesser effect. 33 clicks. Hi Flow piston with shim bleed and o-ring under wiper which gives nice seal. Oil is definitely in need of change since it is normally Pink. But no water contamination the sealhead and seals work well. Only negative about these shocks is they also have the cheap plastic internal floating piston which is used to separate the Nitrogen charge from the oil. I put a nice aluminum one next to it for comparison. Notice how it has a wiper on it so it doesn't cock in the bore of shock. This piston moves when shock is compressed and extended as oil is displaced by the shaft of shock. When Nitrogen is allowed to pass the Internal Floating Piston it goes into the oil and shock will not work correctly or oil will get into the Nitrogen side also creating a issue. This was not a issue on either of these shock but have seen it a lot in high mile Float 3's which have this identical piston. So just a heads up to keep up on refreshes.
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Nice pics Cannon....these are a decent shock IMO, likely abit better then the X shocks on the doos we all are used to.
Yes I was surprised how well the adjuster worked. If they would just put a quality IFP in them though....
 
Hygear says they can upgrade these to the QS-3 or DSC for $500. Thoughts?
 
Hygear says they can upgrade these to the QS-3 or DSC for $500. Thoughts?
$500 a set? If so that’s a great price. If for one shock. No. Maybe they have used parts or can get a real good deal from fox but I don’t get a discount from Fox so would have that in parts alone maybe more. As example just the little pellet in endcap of reservoir for nitrogen charging costed me $16 from Fox!
 
Hygear says they can upgrade these to the QS-3 or DSC for $500. Thoughts?
Do you mean upgrade to the three positon adjuster/resevoir? Is that the only difference between the QS-3 and the Zero 1.5? Is the valving the same, or similar? What about the spring rate ? I haven't had either of these shocks apart yet.
 
Do you mean upgrade to the three positon adjuster/resevoir? Is that the only difference between the QS-3 and the Zero 1.5? Is the valving the same, or similar? What about the spring rate ? I haven't had either of these shocks apart yet.
I haven't compared the valving or springs to QS3R. My guess is same. Cat took a page from Yamaha now and doesn't list shims or internals separately in parts breakdowns anymore so good notes are invaluable now. Doing this conversion would give a guy the LE shocks minus the Kashima coating. Rebound range and orifice is identical.
 
X3......good read. I hear alot of this and that from shock pros. Nice to have the shock broken down and evaluated.

Thank you sir!
 


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