40 RC2 & R

Installing Your Fork  |  Before You Ride  |  Setting Sag  |  Adjusting Rebound  |  Adjusting High-Speed Compression  |  Adjusting Low-Speed Compression  |  Changing the Coil Spring  |  Changing Travel  |  Changing Oil  |  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 20mm axle pinch bolts and crown pinch bolts are properly adjusted and tightened.
2. Clean the outside of your fork with soap and water and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. 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. Install a zip tie with light friction on the upper tube and push it down until it contacts the fork seal.
2. Carefully sit on the bike and assume a normal riding position. The fork should compress slightly.
3. 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.
4. Compare your sag measurement to the Sag Setup table below.
   
   If sag is lower than in the table, turn the preload knob (shown below) counter-clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary.
   
   If sag is higher than in the table, turn the preload knob clockwise one (1) full turn. Measure sag again and repeat adjustment if necessary. If correct sag cannot be achieved by adjusting the preload knob, see the Coil Spring Settings table below. You may need to obtain a coil with a different spring rate.

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 preset from the factory at 1 click in from the full out (counterclockwise) position. The knob is protected by the black protective cap. Never ride your FOX 40 without the black protective cap.

"Boost" Feature of the High-Speed Compression Adjuster (RC2 only)

The high-speed compression adjuster is equipped with a maximum “Boost” setting. This setting offers increased bump force resistance well beyond the adjuster's linear range up until the stop at full firm (clockwise). To enable the “Boost” feature, turn the high-speed compression knob to the full in (clockwise) position, to the stop with firm hand torque. You can use a 3mm hex key to assist in turning the knob to the full in position or to help turn the knob out to Minimum high speed setting.

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 preset from the factory at 1 click in from the full out (counterclockwise) 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 40 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 the Coil Spring

1. With a 32mm 6-point socket wrench, loosen and remove the preload top cap (top of left leg).
2. Remove the black spring spacers (4 spacers for 8 in./203mm travel, 3 for 7.5 in./191mm mm travel, 2 for 7 in./178mm travel, 1 for 6.5 in./165mm travel, and 0 for 6 in./152mm travel).
3. Compress the fork slightly and remove the coil spring. You may need to firmly pull up on the spring to disengage it from the plunger shaft.
4. Wipe the spring dry with a rag and check the color code.
5. Install the new spring by dropping it into the upper tube.
6. Install the appropriate spacers according to your desired travel, then torque the top cap to 165 in-lbs (1864 N-cm).
7. Measure and set sag.

Changing Travel

Travel on the 40 can be changed from 8” to 6” in 1/2” increments by rearranging the four internal travel spacers inside the left leg of the fork. With the proper tools and oil, changing travel can be done in about 15 minutes.

The following tools and supplies will be needed: A 32mm 6-point socket, 10mm open end wrench or socket, torque wrench, plastic hammer, oil drain pan, clean dry lint-free towels, measuring container, as well as the following:

1. The fork does not have to be removed from the bicycle for changing travel.
2. Place the bicycle (or fork, if removed) in a bike stand.
3. Using a 32mm socket wrench, remove the left side topcap.
4. Remove the spacer(s) on top of the coil spring (4 spacers for 8”, 3 spacers for 7.5”, 2 spacers for 7”, 1 spacer for 6.5”, 0 spacers for 6”).2.
5. Using a 10mm socket wrench, unscrew the left side bottom nut 6 turns.
6. Place a clean dry oil pan underneath the left side of the fork.
7. Tap on the bottom nut with a plastic faced hammer to disengage the plunger shaft from the lower leg.
8. Unscrew and remove the bottom nut and crush washer.
9. Push up on the shaft with a thin screwdriver and let the oil drain.
10. Compress the fork and pull the coil spring/plunger shaft assembly out of the top of the left side upper tube.
11. Pull the coil spring off the plunger assembly.  
12. Looking at the table below, determine the number of travel spacer(s) needed on the plunger shaft for your desired travel.
13. Slide the black negative spring guide away from the flanged head of the aluminum plunger shaft.
14. Push and snap on the correct number of the travel spacers to the plunger shaft and slide back the black negative spring guide against the spacers.

15. Push and snap on the coil spring to the plunger shaft assembly.
16. Install the coil spring/plunger shaft assembly into the top of the left side upper tube. Install the correct number of spacers on top of the coil spring and thread the topcap into the upper tube.
17. Remove the bicycle from bike stand and turn the bike upside down.
18. Using a thin screwdriver and sliding the lower leg up or down, push and align the plunger shaft so that it is aligned and comes through the hole in the lower leg.
19. Once aligned, push the lower leg down and install the crush washer and bottom nut.
20. Using a 10mm socket and torque wrench, torque the bottom nut to 50 in-lb (565 N-cm).
21. Turn the bike right side up and place it back into the bike stand.
22. Remove the left side preload topcap and pour in 40 cc of FOX Suspension Fluid (7 wt.).
23. Install and torque the preload topcap to 165 in-lb (1864 N-cm).
24. After changing the travel, compress the fork a few times and check for proper operation before riding—there should be no free movement or play in travel. If there is free movement in the fork or if it makes strange noises, disassemble the fork and check that all four spacers are in the fork and in the correct orientation for the desired travel.
25. Go ride.

Changing Oil

The following tools and supplies will be needed: A 32mm 6-point socket, 10mm open end wrench or socket, 15mm deep 6-point socket, torque wrench, 2mm hex key wrench (RC2 only), plastic hammer, small screwdriver, oil drain pan, clean dry lint-free towels, as well as the following:

Oil change on the FOX 40 RC2 or R fork consists of changing the lower leg oil bath in each leg. This oil bath service can be performed with the common tools listed above, and the fork does not have to be removed from the bicycle. This service will not require any disassembly of the closed RC2 or R cartridge.

Do not attempt to disassemble the FOX 40 RC2 or R Closed Cartridge System. Only FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center should perform such a procedure.

1. Place the bicycle or fork in a stand.
2. Remove the disc brake caliper from the lower leg and secure it to the handlebars or frame.
3. Using a 5mm hex key wrench, loosen the four axle pinch bolts.
4. Using a 5mm hex key wrench, unscrew the axle five full revolutions counterclockwise and remove from the lower leg.
5. Remove the front wheel from the bike.  
6. Place a clean dry oil pan underneath the left side of the fork. Using a 10mm open-end wrench or socket, loosen the bottom nut 6 full turns.
7. Tap on the bottom nut with a plastic faced hammer to disengage the plunger shaft from the lower leg.
8. Unscrew and remove the bottom nut and 8mm crush washer. Pull the lower leg downward until you feel it stop. Let the oil drain into the oil pan.
9. RC2 ONLY: Unscrew and remove the black protective cap. Using a 2mm hex key wrench, unscrew the set-screw approximately two turns and remove the low-speed compression adjuster knob.  Using a 2mm hex key wrench, unscrew the set-screw approximately two turns and remove the high-speed compression adjuster knob.

The 1/8” diameter chrome steel detent ball and detent spring are in the machined hole in the high-speed compression adjuster knob.

10. Using a 15mm deep socket wrench, unscrew the bottom nut four turns. Place a clean dry oil pan underneath the right side of the fork.
11. Using a 15mm deep socket on the bottom nut (to protect the adjusters), tap on the bottom nut with a plastic hammer to disengage the base stud from the lower leg.
12. Remove the bottom nut and 13mm crush washer from the base stud and set them aside.  
13. Push up on the base stud to let the oil bath oil drain out of the fork into the drain pan. If the oil looks black or a dark gray, flush both sides of the lower leg with clean oil.
14. To flush the lower leg, turn the fork upside-down and add about 20cc of oil into each leg. If the fork is off the bike, you can move it around to get the clean oil all over the inside of the fork. Let the fork drain into the drain pan until it stops dripping.  
15. Turn the bike or fork upside-down, pull up on the lower leg and add 40cc of FOX Suspension Fluid (7 wt) into the right-side bottom hole (damper side) of the lower leg. Keeping the lower leg in the up position, add 40cc of FOX Suspension Fluid (7 wt) into the left-side bottom hole (spring side) of the lower leg.  
16. Slide the lower leg down until you can put on a NEW right-side 13mm crush washer with the old bottom nut. Thread on the bottom nut (2 to 3 turns max).
17. Using a 15mm deep 6-point socket, torque the cartridge bottom nut to 50 in-lb.
18. Slide the lower leg down further so the plunger stud on the left side of the fork goes through the hole of the lower leg. You may need to use a thin screwdriver to move and align the plunger shaft so that it goes through the hole of the lower leg.
19. Install a NEW left-side 8mm crush washer with the old bottom nut. Thread on the bottom nut (2 to 3 turns max).
20. Using a 10mm socket, torque the plunger bottom nut to 50 in-lb.
21. RC2 ONLY: Turn the bicycle right side up. Look at the two compression adjuster shafts on the bottom of the right side damper. If you cannot find both flat spots, rotate the adjuster shaft by lightly turning the shaft with needle nose pliers (see figure above). Using a 2mm hex key wrench, align and install the RC2 high-speed compression adjuster knob so that the set screw tightens on the flat spot of the shaft.  Be careful that the detent spring and chrome steel ball are in the top-side of the machined hole. Be careful not to over-torque this knob because it will cause the knobs to bind. Now align and install the RC2 low-speed compression adjuster knob so that the set screw tightens on the flat spot of the shaft. The torque for both compression knobs is 4 in-lb. Turn the knobs to make sure they turn freely and install the black protective cap.  
22. Wipe down the lower leg. Reinstall your disc brake caliper and torque fasteners to disc brake manufacturer’s specifications. Using a 5mm hex key socket and torque wrench, reinstall the front wheel and thread in the axle and torque to 19 in-lb. Tighten the 2 left-side axle pinch bolts and torque to 19 in-lb. Compress the fork a few times to allow the right side of the fork leg to settle into its low friction spot. Tighten the 2 right side axle pinch bolts and torque to 19 in-lb. Your oil change is complete. Now go ride!

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