36 FLOAT RC2 & R

Installing Your Fork | Before You Ride | Setting Sag | Adjusting Rebound | Adjusting High-Speed Compression | Adjusting Low-Speed Compression | Changing Travel | Service Intervals | Important Safety Information

Installing Your Fork

Be sure your fork is properly installed before proceeding. Clicking on the link above will take you to a new page.

Before You Ride

1. Check that the 20 mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened.
2. Clean the outside of your fork with only mild soap and water, and wipe dry with a soft dry rag.

   Note:  Do not use any solvents or de-greasers, as these products can cause serious damage to paint and anodized parts (upper tubes, knobs, steerers).

   Do not spray water directly on the seal/upper tube junction. Do not use a high pressure washer on your fork.

3. Inspect entire exterior of fork for damage. The fork should not be used if any of the exterior parts appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and repair.
4. Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
5. Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.
6. Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.

Setting Sag

You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag.

To get the best performance from your fork, it is necessary to set and adjust sag. Generally, sag should be set to 15 – 25% of total fork travel.

1. Unscrew the center blue aircap (shown below) on top of the left fork leg to expose the Schrader valve.
   
   

   

2. Attach a FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump to the Schrader valve.
3. Using the 36 FLOAT Air Spring Setting Guidelines table below, pump your fork to the appropriate setting using the FOX High Pressure Pump, then remove the pump.
4. Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.
5. Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.
6. Being careful not to further compress the fork, dismount the bicycle. Measure the distance between the seal and the zip tie. This distance is sag.
7. Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.
   
   If your sag is lower than on the table, screw on the pump fitting, note the current air pressure setting and depress the black bleed-valve to reduce the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment, if necessary.
   
   If your sag is higher than on the table, screw on the pump fitting, note the current air pressure setting and pump to increase the gauge pressure by 5 psi. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
8. Screw the blue aircap back on, and go ride.
   
   

   36 FLOAT Air Spring Setting Guidelines
   Rider Weight	Air Pressure
   < 125 lbs.	45 psi
   125 - 135 lbs.	48 psi
   135 - 145 lbs.	50 psi
   145 - 155 lbs.	53 psi
   155 - 170 lbs.	55 psi
   170 - 185 lbs.	62 psi
   185 - 200 lbs.	69 psi
   200 - 215 lbs.	76 psi
   215 - 230 lbs	83 psi
   230 - 250 lbs.	90 psi

   
   

   Sag Setup
   Travel	XC/Race FIRM	Freeride PLUSH
   100 mm (4")	15 mm (1/2")	20 mm (3/4")
   130 mm (5")	20 mm (3/4")	32 mm (1.25")
   160 mm (6.3")	20 mm (3/4")	40 mm (1.5")

   
   

   Sag Troubleshooting
   Symptom	Remedy
   Too much sag	(+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
   Too little sag	(-) air pressure in 5 psi increments
   Excessive bottoming	(+) air pressure in 5 psi increments
   Harsh ride; full travel not utilized	(-) air pressure in 5 psi increments

Adjusting Rebound

The rebound knob (shown below) is located on the top of the right fork leg, and has 15 clicks of adjustment. Rebound controls the speed at which the fork extends after compressing. Turning the knob clockwise slows down rebound; turning the knob counterclockwise speeds up rebound. As a starting point, turn the rebound adjuster knob all the way clockwise (full in) until it stops, then turn counterclockwise (out) 8 clicks.

Adjusting High-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

High-speed compression damping controls the force it takes to move the fork through its travel and how the wheel reacts to a bump. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 15 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Adjusting Low-Speed Compression (RC2 only)

Low-speed compression damping controls the influence of the rider’s weight shifts and bike attitude under braking. This adjuster rotates to stops at each end and has 17 clicks of adjustment. It is set from the factory at 8 clicks out from the full closed (clockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 36 without the black protective cap.

Hydraulic Bottom-Out System

The 36 VAN is equipped with a patent-pending Internally Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom-Out Control System. This feature can be adjusted inside the cartridge by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center. It comes preset from the factory at the FIRM setting.    

Changing Travel

Travel on your 36 FLOAT fork can be changed by rearranging the internal travel spacers. After changing travel check the fork for proper operation before riding. If there is noticeable play in the fork or if it makes strange noises, disassemble the fork and check for complete number and correct orientation of spacers.

Note:  36 FLOAT forks can be reduced in travel, but they cannot be increased beyond 160 mm.

Tools Required for Travel Change

• 32 mm 6-sided socket
• 10 mm socket
• Small screwdriver
• Torque wrench
• 2 mm hex key wrench
• Oil drain pan
• 1.5 mm hex key wrench
• Plastic-faced hammer
• Measuring container w/ cc or mL increments

Supplies Required for Travel Change

Learn how to use the FOX High Pressure Pump

1. Remove the blue air cap from the top of the left fork leg. Let the air out of the fork. Remove the left top cap with a 32 mm socket 6-point socket wrench.
2. Loosen the bottom nut 3-4 turns with a 10 mm wrench. With a plastic mallet, gently tap the bottom of the shaft to disengage it from the lower leg. Allow oil to drain into a bucket. Remove the bottom nut and crush washer.
3. Compress the fork as much as possible. The air piston will be visible about one inch below the top of the upper tube. Push the bottom of the air shaft upwards to push the air piston out of the top of the upper tube. Use a long, thin shaft screwdriver to push the bottom of the air shaft up through the hole in the bottom of the lower leg.
4. Pull the air-shaft assembly from the fork. Refer to the drawings below and add or remove the appropriate number of 30 mm spacer(s) to achieve the desired travel. To achieve 130 mm travel, use one 30 mm spacer; 100 mm travel, use both 30 mm spacers.

   Note:  Spacers snap onto the air shaft between the negative spring guide and topout plate, as shown in the travel spacer orientation drawing below.  

5. Lubricate the U-cup seal on the air piston with FOX FLOAT Fluid and re-install the air shaft assembly into the upper tube. Be sure to orient the U-cup seal as shown in the Seal Orientation drawing below.
6. Push the shaft until it approaches the bottom hole of the fork. Do not push the shaft all the way through the bottom hole.
7. Turn the fork upside down. Measure and pour 30 cc of FOX Suspension Fluid through the bottom hole.
8. Push the air shaft assembly up until the shaft comes through the bottom hole. Install the crush washer and bottom nut. Torque to 50 in-lbs.
9. Turn the fork right side up. Pour 5 cc of FOX FLOAT Fluid on top of the air piston.
10. Lubricate the o-ring on the air topcap with FOX FLOAT Fluid.
11. Re-install the topcap and torque to 165 in-lbs.
12. Pump up the fork to the desired pressure and cycle it several times to check for proper operation.
13. Re-install the blue air cap.
14. You’re done. Go ride.

Travel Spacer Orientation

Seal Orientation

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FOX Factory Inc.