Looking to fix or replace Fox Air Vanilla rear shock on 1999 Stumpjumper
07-16-19, 08:30 PM
#1
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Looking to fix or replace Fox Air Vanilla rear shock on 1999 Stumpjumper
I've got a 1999 specialized stumpjumper FSR XC Mountain bike, with a fox air vanilla rear shock (3 inches of travel) that's having trouble holding air very well anymore. Over the course of a one hour ride it loses most of it's air. I'm wondering what my options are to rebuild or replace this with something similar or better. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
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07-18-19, 10:32 AM
#3
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Thanks Dsaul. Any idea where I can find that because when I look online for rebuild kits I can't find a rebuild kit specifically for the Fox Air Vanilla. I see them for many of the other rear shocks from that timeframe, but not for mine. I'm wondering if the rebuild kit for the Fox Air Vanilla Float or Float R would work?
07-18-19, 04:17 PM
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I'm pretty sure all of the Fox air shocks are considered "Float" shocks. The air cans are all the same diameter, so the seals should be the same.
04-12-20, 12:45 PM
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I've got a 1999 specialized stumpjumper FSR XC Mountain bike, with a fox air vanilla rear shock (3 inches of travel) that's having trouble holding air very well anymore. Over the course of a one hour ride it loses most of it's air. I'm wondering what my options are to rebuild or replace this with something similar or better. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
thanks
12-07-21, 04:15 PM
#6
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Sorry if this is too late to be helpful, but I'd suggest trying Risse or TF Tuned for seal kits, small parts, etc.
On a related note, does anyone have any insight on the "Fox Vanilla Air" vs "Fox Float" designations? Are they really the same thing just renamed over time? Or does the Float badging indicate an actual technical innovation over the Vanilla Air models? Did they coexist at one time? Or did the Vanilla Air essentially become the Fox Float at some point?
Fox product line info (let alone technical manuals) for these early models is like hen's teeth. WTF is up with that?
Help? Seriously...
On a related note, does anyone have any insight on the "Fox Vanilla Air" vs "Fox Float" designations? Are they really the same thing just renamed over time? Or does the Float badging indicate an actual technical innovation over the Vanilla Air models? Did they coexist at one time? Or did the Vanilla Air essentially become the Fox Float at some point?
Fox product line info (let alone technical manuals) for these early models is like hen's teeth. WTF is up with that?
Help? Seriously...
04-04-24, 10:01 AM
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I know it's been a while, but I'm back into this hunt again 
Jordy123 did you ever get yours rebuilt? I'd be curious to know where you got the seal kit or the work done.
Redshift96 I found the original fox manual that came with my bike and shock from 1999. It's the Fox Racing Shox 1999 Model Owners Manual. It has info and diagrams for the following rear shocks:
Air Shocks: Air Vanilla, Air Vanilla FLOAT, Air Vanilla FLOAT-R, Air Vanilla FLOAT-RC
Coil Shocks: Vanilla, Vanilla R, Vanilla RC, Vanilla RC-Remote
If anyone would like to see this info, message me or reply to this post.
Jordy123 did you ever get yours rebuilt? I'd be curious to know where you got the seal kit or the work done.
Redshift96 I found the original fox manual that came with my bike and shock from 1999. It's the Fox Racing Shox 1999 Model Owners Manual. It has info and diagrams for the following rear shocks:
Air Shocks: Air Vanilla, Air Vanilla FLOAT, Air Vanilla FLOAT-R, Air Vanilla FLOAT-RC
Coil Shocks: Vanilla, Vanilla R, Vanilla RC, Vanilla RC-Remote
If anyone would like to see this info, message me or reply to this post.
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04-04-24, 02:51 PM
#8
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Pretty sure Risse can answer any questions you might have about these shocks. He isn’t great about returning vm’s. Keep trying until he picks up, he’s very helpful once you get him live.
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04-04-24, 03:44 PM
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fox shoxs
Pinkbike.com has a good mechanics web board & is much more MTB friendly than here.I too have seen the vanilla cut off production kits-mainly omit the early design.Fox has a policy to not cover anything over say 10 years.I tried to get infor on a '05 fork & zero info. ended up on Pinkbike's web board where many exp. the same frustrations.did figure it out by trial & error.take your time & also checkout Germany's ebay.de for any rebuild kits.they offer a very good insight also.https://www.pinkbike.com/forum/mechanics-lounge/
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04-04-24, 03:50 PM
#10
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I hope this works. see attached.
04-04-24, 03:56 PM
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[QUOTE='02 nrs;23205184]Pinkbike.com has a good mechanics web board & is much more MTB friendly than here.I too have seen the vanilla cut off production kits-mainly omit the early design.Fox has a policy to not cover anything over say 10 years.I tried to get infor on a '05 fork & zero info. ended up on Pinkbike's web board where many exp. the same frustrations.did figure it out by trial & error.take your time & also checkout Germany's ebay.de for any rebuild kits.they offer a very good insight also /QUOTE]
Thanks O2 nrs!
Thanks O2 nrs!
04-04-24, 04:21 PM
#12
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One more thing...Back when i started this thread, I couldn't find a kit for my shock but just now I think I have found one that would work for my Air Vanilla, and also for the 3 Air Vanilla FLOAT shocks, which require two extra O-rings in the collar. I'm too new to this forum to post URLs or pics, but you can find it on a site in the UK called Hibike. Search for "FOX Air Sleeve Rebuild kit".
That blue piece is what seems to be unique. In the manual it's called bearing (Air Sleeve Guide). When I took apart my shock I thought that blue piece was broken since it is not one continuous loop, but i guess this is intentional. I have yet to find this kit offered anywhere in the US, but seems there are several UK outfits that sell it.
That blue piece is what seems to be unique. In the manual it's called bearing (Air Sleeve Guide). When I took apart my shock I thought that blue piece was broken since it is not one continuous loop, but i guess this is intentional. I have yet to find this kit offered anywhere in the US, but seems there are several UK outfits that sell it.
