OZDave Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 I have a problem with the Wilber shock from the group buy. I noticed the shock started clunking over the small bumps so I took it for a slow ride today. No really nocticable problems while riding but the clunk was still there. The father in-law came over for dinner and we had a look (Its a bit hard to bounce the thing up down and look underneath by yourself). and ....red oil on the floor under the shock, red oil on the linkages and on the bottom of the spring. I can't see exactly where it's comming from because its a little cluttered around that area. There is only one Wilbers suspension guy that I know of in Brisbane so I guess it's on with the old shock and a trip to him. Anyone else had similar problems? Any advise? PS Model 641 Doesn't appear to be the preload adjuster oil. Shock feels very springy with little damping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdman Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Keep us posted on what's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pug Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 Probably, IS a leak from the preload adjuster (although you say that you feel no damping). Anyway I had a similar incident with my WP unit (and all the preload adjusters of Wp, Ohlins e.t.c. are more or less the same) To check if it is the hyd. preload, put bike on center stand and give some preload (about 2-3 mm on the preload scale) while watching if the preload ramp on the shock is moving (you can see from the left side. At the same time check if you have a new leak. If the ramp is not moving then you are sure that is the preload. However there is a chance that if the leak is small and with no weight on the rear wheel , the ramp might move. In this case have someone else put the bike off the stand and check if the preload ramp returns to no preload under bike's weight. In my case the problem was that the cable was rubbing against the hugger and eventually got a hole. So check cable routing as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 1, 2006 Author Share Posted February 1, 2006 The shock is now rebuilt. It wasn’t worth chasing up the warranty and sending it half way around the world so I paid for it myself. $210.00 AUD Here’s the story from the expert, as I remember it: The shock had lost all gas and a lot of oil. The internals and oil looked as if had seen a lot of work. The shock base that has the seal mounted in it has a Teflon coated bore. On one side the Teflon had worn away. In the photo of the bore you can see where the seal fitted. (x-ring type of seal) The shaft was not damaged. The seal had a small deformity (Left side of photo) that may have caused the problem to start. The base having no Nitrogen pressure to press it against the bottom was sliding up and down in the shock body and caused the external scratches shown. When I told him it was about 7 – 8 months old, 9,000 km at the most, he was very surprised. He has never seen this on a Wilbers before and assures you all this problem is a one off. (Hope so)……..and shouldn’t re-occur. :| One shock base including dust seal. One internal seal. New oil Nitrogen = fixed. I’ll put it back in tonight and hope it works. Shock Base Shaft Bore with Teflon Shaft_Bore without Teflon Distorted seal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exskibum Posted February 1, 2006 Share Posted February 1, 2006 Here’s the story from the expert, as I remember it:The shock had lost all gas and a lot of oil. The internals and oil looked as if had seen a lot of work. The shock base that has the seal mounted in it has a Teflon coated bore. On one side the Teflon had worn away. In the photo of the bore you can see where the seal fitted. (x-ring type of seal) The shaft was not damaged. The seal had a small deformity (Left side of photo) that may have caused the problem to start. The base having no Nitrogen pressure to press it against the bottom was sliding up and down in the shock body and caused the external scratches shown. When I told him it was about 7 – 8 months old, 9,000 km at the most, he was very surprised. He has never seen this on a Wilbers before and assures you all this problem is a one off. (Hope so)……..and shouldn’t re-occur. Thanks, Dave. Nice to have such a thorough telling of the end of the tale . . . esp. with an expert's explanation AND pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 5, 2006 Author Share Posted February 5, 2006 No problems. I hope the information is not needed by anyone else. I had a decent ride on it today and no sign of any problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 I would contact Wilbers with that information. They may just see fit to find some way to apologize to you for the inconvenience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warchild Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I would contact Wilbers with that information. They may just see fit to find some way to apologize to you for the inconvenience. Concur with Rockme.... I'm pretty sure Klaus would want to know about this.... I'll point him to this thread when he gets back from vacation.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 Thanks guys. I don't really want to cause a problem but I'd be interested in his opinion/response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 The businessman that DOESN'T want to hear of a legitimate problem with product is the problem. You're not causing a problem. Any good businessman would want to hear of your situation. Any bad businessmen NEEDS to hear of your situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 8, 2006 Author Share Posted February 8, 2006 The businessman that DOESN'T want to hear of a legitimate problem with product is the problem. You're not causing a problem. Any good businessman would want to hear of your situation. Any bad businessmen NEEDS to hear of your situation. Good point. I wish more businessmen thought that way down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SD Marc Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 I just walked out into the garage to find a puddle of red fluid under my bike. It looks to be the same failure detailed here. SHIT!!! I am not in the mood for a complete teardown of the shock. GDI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rockmeupto125 Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 This HAS to be followed through with Wilbers. If you lost your stock shock, I'll send you a loaner until the Wilbers is returned to you, but with two failures now from this group buy, there needs to be warrantee action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SD Marc Posted February 11, 2006 Share Posted February 11, 2006 Thank you for the offer Joe, I appreciate it but it won't be necessary as I still have the stock shock that I removed. I have sent an e-mail to Klaus with a link to this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccriderXX Posted February 12, 2006 Share Posted February 12, 2006 Yes as a prospective buyer, I am interested in how this is handled. I also wonder if its the seal failing, has this been redesigned/improved? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 12, 2006 Author Share Posted February 12, 2006 I just walked out into the garage to find a puddle of red fluid under my bike. It looks to be the same failure detailed here. SHIT!!! I am not in the mood for a complete teardown of the shock. GDI Oh well. At least I'm not alone. I hope it's easily fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SD Marc Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Klaus has already responded to my e-mail so I am optimistic that this will be hanlded without any problems. Here is what he had to say: Hi Marc, I am sorry to hear about this problem. Our 5 year warranty will cover the repair and replacement of parts, you are responsible for the shipping back and forth. I have read the thread on the list and thank you for forwarding it to me. I certainly do want to hear about any problems with the products I am selling. The seal-block - referred to as the shock bottom end, is a wear part and does fail sometimes and one of several reasons (O-ring failure, Teflon lining failure, support ring failure, lip-seal failure, assembly error when the seal-block is put together and finally a mistake when the shock is assembled). I am selling the shocks since Nov. of 01 and have approx 15 - 20 seal-blocks replaced because of leakage. Had I heard from the chap in Australia I would have sent him a new block at least - understanding that the shipping back and forth is about the same of what he paid to have it repaired. However, the shop in Australia could have handled it under warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 Sounds like good news for you. It's great that Klaus responded so quickly. He was very good with responses to the questions I had when I bought mine. It's just a pity I'm so far away. Like Klaus said, the shipping costs would eat up any repair savings. Keep us posted on how you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I finally got out for a romp yesterday as the sun was out this weekend in Seattle. Pre-load folks, FYI While doing a post ride inspection, ran my fingers along the preload line on my Wilbers and it came away with fluid on it. Both ends at the fittings are weeping. Gonna wrench them tonight to see if I can snug em up a bit. If not, I guess I'll call Klaus. db Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OZDave Posted February 18, 2006 Author Share Posted February 18, 2006 Any news Dano? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLyFoXX Posted February 18, 2006 Share Posted February 18, 2006 Any news Dano? Yeah Dano, any update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dano Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 Any news Dano? Yeah Dano, any update! Sorry, there were two shock threads going on. I posted this the other day I have the 640 with preload adjuster. I called Klaus just to let him know I noticed a small leak on the pre-load line and was going to try to tighten it up. As far as I could tell it wasn't at the banjo fitting but at the 11mm nut fittings on each end. He said the banjo fittings are a crush once type seal and not to mess with that one. Snugged em up about 1/8 turn on each end. They weren't tight. Quick ride yesterday, so far so good. However I now have a slight corkscrew twist in the preload line. As each end tightened it put a twist in the line. No big deal, it just doesn't lay-out quite as nice as before. Klaus did ask if the bike/shock was stored in a heated garage as a shock that freezes could leak. WTF.... I guess I need to move south a few degrees db Today udate: Saturday. The fitting at the shock looks OK, the fitting on the adjuster knob still had a little fluid around it. It may just be residual from underneath the heat-shrink tubing Klaus put over the fitting. I wipped it down again and cranked up the pressure (add more preload). Next ride I will check it again, and again. Won't trust it for awhile even if it stays dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXBIRD Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Drip here too... The bottom of the triangular links were wet and dripping. It is from the shaft. Preload is dry as bone. I didn't ride the bike some time till yesterday and checked it today to find this out. I am not liking this already even if it is under warranty etc. Shock unit such as this, just based on the price they are sold for, must not leak in less than half a year of light use and kept in a mild climate and "heated" garage. Thinking about it; I didn't get to ride the bike much due to my injury since October. When I noticed an oil puddle underneath, I presumed it was was teh excess from chain lube, didn't even consider the shock. After all this time, during my first ride yesterday, I thought every bump was jolting my back so I thought maybe this is what happens at cold climates... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airborneXX Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Drip here too... The bottom of the triangular links were wet and dripping. It is from the shaft. Preload is dry as bone. I didn't ride the bike some time till yesterday and checked it today to find this out. I am not liking this already even if it is under warranty etc. Shock unit such as this, just based on the price they are sold for, must not leak in less than half a year of light use and kept in a mild climate and "heated" garage. Thinking about it; I didn't get to ride the bike much due to my injury since October. When I noticed an oil puddle underneath, I presumed it was was teh excess from chain lube, didn't even consider the shock. After all this time, during my first ride yesterday, I thought every bump was jolting my back so I thought maybe this is what happens at cold climates... I was looking at the shock yesterday and thinking about the problems others have, but I didn't notice any dripping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Involute Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Drip here too... The bottom of the triangular links were wet and dripping. It is from the shaft. Preload is dry as bone. I didn't ride the bike some time till yesterday and checked it today to find this out. I am not liking this already even if it is under warranty etc. Shock unit such as this, just based on the price they are sold for, must not leak in less than half a year of light use and kept in a mild climate and "heated" garage. Thinking about it; I didn't get to ride the bike much due to my injury since October. When I noticed an oil puddle underneath, I presumed it was was teh excess from chain lube, didn't even consider the shock. After all this time, during my first ride yesterday, I thought every bump was jolting my back so I thought maybe this is what happens at cold climates... I was looking at the shock yesterday and thinking about the problems others have, but I didn't notice any dripping. +1 As if I'm not paranoid enough about my bike. Now I'll be losing sleep over an almost new shock :icon_wall: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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