sillygolem

I just picked up a Trek 820 with an obscure RST suspension fork. It's a low end model that uses springs packed with grease instead of liquid or air shocks. The plastic sleeves that fit into the lower portion have slid out, along with the seals. Other than this, there doesn't seem to be any damage: The springs haven't collapsed, and the chrome is still good on the top section of the fork.

Here's what I need to know:

Can I hammer the sleeves back into place?

How much grease do I need for the springs? Can I use standard bike grease, or do I need fork-specific grease?


If I can't fix this fork, I'm not going to bother fitting a new one: I have another frame in need of the components.

reptilezs

uhh yea just knock the bushings back int he lowers. some cheaper models click in instead of being press fit. grease, just use whatever it doesn't matter. if you want to get fancy then slick honey or menitou prep m

sillygolem

Is the grease supposed to fill the fork, or just cover the springs?

Griffter18

The grease should just cover the springs, but when you put it back together slide the rubbers up the chrome bits and then put extra grease on the chrome and in the seals before putting it back together.
You'll need to re-grease regularly to keep the fork moving as they tend to gunge up quickly.
Slick Honey will last a bit longer and make it a bit more plush but bear in mind they are cheap forks and if you plan on keeping the bike long term you maybe better off switching them to air.
You can pick up cheap air forks on ebay if you know what youre looking for.

sillygolem

OK, that makes more sense. I'd heard the grease was used for dampening, but when I took them apart, it looked like it was greased just as you described.

I think in the end this bike will be parted out for a hybrid I'm building for my S.O.