2014

Sektor/Recon/XC32
Solo Air Service Manual

SRAM LLC WARRANTY

EXTENT OF LIMITED WARRANTY
Except as otherwise set forth herein, SRAM warrants its products to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a period of two years after
original purchase. This warranty only applies to the original owner and is not transferable. Claims under this warranty must be made through the retailer
where the bicycle or the SRAM component was purchased. Original proof of purchase is required. Except as described herein, SRAM makes no
other warranties, guaranties, or representations of any type (express or implied), and all warranties (including any implied warranties of
reasonable care, merchantibility, or fitness for a particular purpose) are hereby disclaimed.
LOCAL LAW
This warranty statement gives the customer specific legal rights. The customer may also have other rights which vary from state to state (USA), from
province to province (Canada), and from country to country elsewhere in the world.
To the extent that this warranty statement is inconsistent with the local law, this warranty shall be deemed modified to be consistent with such law, under
such local law, certain disclaimers and limitations of this warranty statement may apply to the customer. For example, some states in the United States
of America, as well as some governments outside of the United States (including provinces in Canada) may:
a. Preclude the disclaimers and limitations of this warranty statement from limiting the statutory rights of the consumer
(e.g. United Kingdom).
b. Otherwise restrict the ability of a manufacturer to enforce such disclaimers or limitations.
For Australian customers:
This SRAM limited warranty is provided in Australia by SRAM LLC, 1333 North Kingsbury, 4th floor, Chicago, Illinois, 60642, USA. To make a warranty
claim please contact the retailer from whom you purchased this SRAM product. Alternatively, you may make a claim by contacting SRAM Australia, 6
Marco Court, Rowville 3178, Australia. For valid claims SRAM will, at its option, either repair or replace your SRAM product. Any expenses incurred in
making the warranty claim are your responsibility. The benefits given by this warranty are additional to other rights and remedies that you may have
under laws relating to our products. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to
a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the
goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY
To the extent allowed by local law, except for the obligations specifically set forth in this warranty statement, in no event shall SRAM or its third party
suppliers be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages.
LIMITATIONS OF WARRANTY
This warranty does not apply to products that have been incorrectly installed and/or adjusted according to the respective SRAM user manual. The SRAM
user manuals can be found online at sram.com, rockshox.com, avidbike.com, truvativ.com, or zipp.com.
This warranty does not apply to damage to the product caused by a crash, impact, abuse of the product, non-compliance with manufacturers
specifications of usage or any other circumstances in which the product has been subjected to forces or loads beyond its design.
This warranty does not apply when the product has been modified, including, but not limited to any attempt to open or repair any electronic and
electronic related components, including the motor, controller, battery packs, wiring harnesses, switches, and chargers.
This warranty does not apply when the serial number or production code has been deliberately altered, defaced or removed.
This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear. Wear and tear parts are subject to damage as a result of normal use, failure to service according
to SRAM recommendations and/or riding or installation in conditions or applications other than recommended.
Wear and tear parts are identified as:
Dust seals
Bushings
Air sealing o-rings
Glide rings
Rubber moving parts
Foam rings
Rear shock mounting hardware
and main seals
Upper tubes (stanchions)

Stripped threads/bolts (aluminium,

titanium, magnesium or steel)
Brake sleeves
Brake pads
Chains
Sprockets
Cassettes
Shifter and brake cables (inner
and outer)

Handlebar grips
Shifter grips
Jockey wheels
Disc brake rotors
Wheel braking surfaces
Bottomout pads
Bearings
Bearing races
Pawls

Transmission gears
Spokes
Free hubs
Aero bar pads
Corrosion
Tools
Motors
Batteries

Notwithstanding anything else set forth herein, the battery pack and charger warranty does not include damage from power surges, use of improper
charger, improper maintenance, or such other misuse.
This warranty shall not cover damages caused by the use of parts of different manufacturers.
This warranty shall not cover damages caused by the use of parts that are not compatible, suitable and/or authorised by SRAM for use with SRAM
components.
This warranty shall not cover damages resulting from commercial (rental) use.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ROCKSHOX SUSPENSION SERVICE................................................................................................................................................ 4
PARTS AND TOOLS NEEDED FOR SERVICE............................................................................................................................................................................ 4

LOWER LEG REMOVAL...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

SOLO AIR SPRING SERVICE (SEKTOR, RECON GOLD).............................................................................................................. 7

SOLO AIR ANATOMY............................................................................................................................................................................................................................7

SOLO AIR SPRING REMOVAL/SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS................................................................................................................................................... 8
OPTIONAL - ALL TRAVEL CONFIGURATION........................................................................................................................................................................... 11
SOLO AIR SPRING INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................................................................................. 11

SOLO AIR SPRING SERVICE (RECON SILVER, XC32)................................................................................................................ 14

SOLO AIR ANATOMY..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................14

SOLO AIR SPRING REMOVAL/SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS..................................................................................................................................................14
OPTIONAL - ALL TRAVEL CONFIGURATION.......................................................................................................................................................................... 17
SOLO AIR SPRING INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS............................................................................................................................................................ 17

LOWER LEG INSTALLATION...........................................................................................................................................................20

SAFETY FIRST!

We care about YOU. Please, always wear your safety glasses and
protective gloves when servicing RockShox products.
Protect yourself! Wear your safety gear!

ROCKSHOX SUSPENSION SERVICE

We recommend that you have your RockShox suspension serviced by a qualified bicycle mechanic. Servicing RockShox suspension
requires knowledge of suspension components as well as the special tools and fluids used for service.
For exploded diagram and part number information, please refer to the Spare Parts Catalog available on our web site at www.sram.com.
For order information, please contact your local SRAM distributor or dealer.
Information contained in this publication is subject to change at any time without prior notice. For the latest technical information,
please visit our website at sram.com.
Your products appearance may differ from the pictures/diagrams contained in this publication.

PARTS AND TOOLS NEEDED FOR SERVICE

Safety glasses

Rubber mallet

Nitrile gloves

Schrader valve core tool

Apron

5 mm hex wrench

Clean, lint-free rags

24 mm socket wrench

Oil pan

Torque wrench

Isopropyl alcohol

5 mm hex bit socket

RockShox 15wt suspension fluid

Large internal snap ring pliers

Suspension specific grease

Pick

Shock pump

Long plastic or wooden dowel

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Always wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves when working with suspension fluid.
Place an oil pan on the floor underneath the area where you will be working on the fork.

LOW E R L E G R E M OVA L

Remove the air valve cap from the top cap located on the non-drive
side fork leg.

Depress the Schrader valve and release all of the air pressure from
the air chamber.

CAUTION - E YE HAZARD
Verify all pressure is removed from the fork before proceeding.
Failure to do so can result in injury and/or damage to the fork.

Remove the external rebound adjuster knob by pulling it from the

shaft bolt at the bottom of the right fork leg.

Sektor,
Recon Gold

Use a 5 mm hex wrench to loosen both shaft bolts 3 to 4 turns.

5 mm

Recon Silver,
XC 32

Place an oil pan beneath the fork to catch any draining oil. Use a
plastic mallet to firmly strike both shaft bolts to free them from
their press-fit to the lower leg, then remove the shaft bolts
completely.

Firmly pull the lower leg downward until oil begins to drain.
If the upper tubes do not slide out of the lower leg or if oil doesnt
drain from either side, the press fit of the shaft(s) to the lower leg
may still be engaged. Reinstall the shaft bolt(s) 2 to 3 turns and
repeat the previous step.
Do not hit the brake arch with any tool when removing the lower
leg as this could damage the fork.

Remove the lower leg from the fork by pulling it downward, holding
onto both legs or the brake arch.

Spray isopropyl alcohol on and into the lower leg. Wipe the lower
legs clean, then wrap a clean rag around a dowel and clean the
inside of each lower leg.

SOLO AIR SPRING SERVICE (SEKTOR, RECON GOLD)

At this point you should already have the lower legs removed from your fork. If not, you will need to return to the Lower Leg Removal
section of this manual and follow the instructions for removing your fork lower legs.

S O LO A I R A N ATO M Y
SEKTOR
Air piston

Top out bumper

Aluminum
support washer

Air shaft guide

Air shaft

Negative piston

Wavy washer

All Travel spacer

(optional)

RECON GOLD
Air piston

Top out bumper

Negative piston

Air shaft guide

Air shaft

Aluminum
support washer

All Travel spacer

(optional)

Wavy washer

S O LO A I R S P R I N G R E M OVA L / S E R V I C E I N S T R U C T I O N S
CAUTION - E YE HAZARD
Verify all pressure is removed from the fork before proceeding. Depress the Schrader valve again to remove any remaining air
pressure. Failure to do so can result in injury and/or damage to the fork.

Unthread and remove the air spring top cap with a 24 mm socket
wrench. Once removed, clean the upper tube threads with a rag.

24 mm

Place the tip of your forefinger over the end of the air spring shaft
and depress until there is not much shaft visible. There will be some
resistence from air pressure. Place the tips of large internal snap
ring pliers into eyelets of the snap ring located at the bottom of the
non drive-side upper tube. Press firmly on the pliers to push the
base plate into the upper tube enough to compress and remove the
snap ring. Slide the snap ring onto your finger and release the air
spring shaft.
This technique will prevent scratching of the shaft by the snap
ring. Scratches on the air spring shaft will allow air to bypass
the seal head into the lower legs, resulting in reduced spring
performance.

Firmly pull on the air shaft to remove the air spring assembly from
the upper tube. Clean and inspect the assembly for damage.

Spray isopropyl alcohol on the inside and outside of the upper tube.
Wipe the outside of the upper tube with a clean rag. Wrap a clean
rag around a long dowel and insert it into the upper tube to clean
inside the upper tube.

Slide the base plate/negative piston assembly, top out bumper, and
travel spacer (if applicable) from the air shaft. Spray the air shaft
with isopropyl alcohol and wipe it clean with a rag.

Use a pick to remove the air piston outer o-ring. Apply grease to
the new o-ring and install it.
Do not scratch the air piston. Scratches may cause air to leak.

Remove the top out bumper from the negative piston. Use a pick to
remove the inner and outer negative piston o-rings.
Apply grease to the new o-rings and install them. Install the top out
bumper onto the negative piston.
Do not scratch the negative piston. Scratches may cause air to
leak.

O P T I O N A L - A L L T R AV E L C O N F I G U R AT I O N
The All Travel spacers are located between the air piston and top out bumper. Install the travel spacer to decrease travel, or remove the
spacer to increase travel.

Recon Gold

80 mm

100 mm

Sektor

120 mm

130 mm

140 mm

S O LO A I R S P R I N G I N S TA L L AT I O N I N S T R U C T I O N S

Apply grease to the air shaft.

Install the travel spacer (if applicable) and base plate/negative
piston assembly onto the air shaft with the top out bumper toward
the air piston.

150 mm

Apply grease to the inside of the upper tube, from the end of the
tube (opposite the crown) to approximately 60 mm into the tube.

grease to the air piston o-ring and the negative piston outer
10 Apply
o-ring.

11

Firmly push the air assembly into the bottom of the upper tube
while gently rocking the air shaft side to side.
Orient the washers so that the aluminum support washer goes into
the upper tube first, followed the wavy washer.

Sektor

Recon
Gold

12

Install the snap ring onto large internal snap ring pliers. Use the
pliers to push the base plate into the upper tube while installing the
snap ring into its groove. The base plate tab should be situated
between the snap ring eyelets.
Make sure the snap ring is securely fastened in the snap ring
groove. Check this by using the snap ring pliers to rotate the snap
ring back and forth a couple of times, then firmly pulling down on
the air shaft.
Snap rings have a sharper-edged side and a rounder-edged side.
Installing snap rings with the sharper-edged side facing the tool will
allow for easier installation and removal.

12

Use a pick to remove the top cap o-ring. Apply a small amount of
grease to a new top cap o-ring and install it. Apply a small amount
of grease to the top cap threads.
Do not scratch the top cap. Scratches may cause air to leak.

13

Insert the top cap into the upper tube/crown and thread it into the
upper tube. Use a torque wrench and a 24 mm socket to tighten
the top cap to 7.3 Nm (65 in-lb).

24 mm

7.3 Nm (65 in-lb)

S O L O A I R S P R I N G S E R V I C E ( R E C O N S I LV E R , X C 3 2 )
At this point you should already have the lower legs removed from your fork. If not, you will need to return to the Lower Leg Removal
section of this manual and follow the instructions for removing your fork lower legs.

S O LO A I R A N ATO M Y
Air piston

Top out bumper

Negative piston

Air shaft guide

Air shaft

All Travel spacer

(optional)

S O LO A I R S P R I N G R E M OVA L / S E R V I C E I N S T R U C T I O N S
CAUTION - E YE HAZARD
Verify all pressure is removed from the fork before proceeding. Depress the Schrader valve again to remove any remaining air
pressure. Failure to do so can result in injury and/or damage to the fork.

Use a 24 mm socket wrench to unthread the air spring top cap. The
air spring assembly is attached to the top cap. Pull and lift the air
spring assembly from the upper tube. Clean the upper tube threads
with a rag.

24 mm

Remove the top cap from the air tube assembly.

Remove the air shaft/piston assembly from the bottom of the air
tube by pulling the shaft down and rocking it from side to side.

Spray isopropyl alcohol on the inside and outside of the air tube
and wipe it with a clean rag. Wrap a clean rag around a long dowel
and insert it into the air tube to clean inside the air tube.

Slide the negative piston assembly from the air shaft. Spray the air
shaft with isopropyl alcohol and wipe it with a clean rag.

Use a pick to remove the air piston outer o-ring. Apply grease to
the new o-ring and install it.
Do not scratch the top cap. Scratches may cause air to leak.

Remove the top out bumper from the negative piston. Use a pick to
remove the inner and outer negative piston o-rings. Apply grease
to the new o-rings and install them. Install the top out bumper onto
the negative piston.
When using a pick to remove o-rings, do not scratch the negative
piston. Scratches may cause air to leak.

O P T I O N A L - A L L T R AV E L C O N F I G U R AT I O N
The All Travel spacers are located between the air piston and top out bumper. Install the travel spacer to decrease travel, or remove the
spacer to increase travel.

80 mm

100 mm

110 mm

120 mm

S O LO A I R S P R I N G I N S TA L L AT I O N I N S T R U C T I O N S

Insert the top out bumper back onto the negative piston. Reinstall
the negative piston assembly onto the air shaft, with the top out
bumper toward the air piston.

Apply grease to the inside of the air tube, from one end of the tube
to approximately 60 mm into the tube.

10 Apply grease to the air assembly outer o-rings.

Insert the air assembly into the greased end of the air tube. Push
the negative piston into the air tube until it is firmly seated.

11

Use a pick to remove the top cap o-rings. Apply a small amount of
grease to a new top cap o-rings and install them.
When using a pick to remove o-rings, do not scratch the top cap.
Scratches may cause air to leak.

12

Press the air top cap into the air tube. Apply a small amount of
grease to the top cap threads.

13

Insert the air assembly, shaft first, into the top of the upper tube.
Guide the air shaft through the shaft guide in the bottom of the
upper tube. Check the bottom of the upper tube to make sure the
air shaft guide is seated into the upper tube shaft guide.

a small amount of grease to the top cap threads and o-ring.

14 Apply
Thread the top cap into the upper tube.
Do not damage the top cap o-ring upon installation.

15

Use a torque wrench and a 24 mm socket to tighten the top cap to

7.3 Nm (65 in-lb).

24 mm

7.3 Nm (65 in-lb)

LOW E R L E G I N S TA L L AT I O N

Spray the upper tubes with isopropyl alcohol and wipe them with a
clean rag.

Saturate the foam rings with 15 wt RockShox suspension fluid.

Apply a small amount of grease to the inner surfaces of the dust
wipers.

Slide the lower leg assembly onto the upper tube assembly just
enough to engage the upper bushing with the upper tubes.
Make sure both dust seals slide onto the tubes without folding the
outer lip of either seal.

Position the fork at a slight angle with the shaft bolt holes oriented
upward, then pour or inject 6 mL of RockShox 15 wt suspension
fluid into each lower leg through the shaft bolt hole.

Slide the lower leg assembly along the upper tubes until it stops
and the spring and damper shafts are visible through the shaft bolt
holes. Wipe all excess oil from the outer surface of the lower legs.

Clean the shaft bolts, crush washers, and crush washer retainers.
Inspect the crush washers and retainers. If the crush washers or
retainers are flattened or deformed, replace them with new ones.
Dirty or damaged crush washers can cause oil to leak from the
fork.

Insert the shaft bolts into the threaded shaft ends through the shaft
bolt holes. Use a torque wrench with a 5 mm hex bit socket to
tighten the bolts to 7.3 Nm (65 in-lb).

Insert the external rebound damper knob into the rebound damper
shaft bolt until it is secure. Adjust rebound as desired.

5 mm

Sektor,
Recon Gold

7.3 Nm (65 in-lb)

Recon Silver,
XC 32

Refer to the air chart on the fork lower leg and pressurize the air
spring to the appropriate pressure for your rider weight.
You may see a drop in indicated air pressure on the pump gage
while filling the air spring, this is normal. Continue to fill the air
spring to the recommended air pressure.

10 Spray isopropyl alcohol on entire fork and wipe it with a clean rag.
This concludes the service for Solo Air springs for RockShox Sektor,
Recon, and XC32 forks.

This publication includes trademarks and registered trademarks of the following companies:
TORX is a registered trademark of Acument Intellectual Properties, LLC

www.sram.com

GEN.0000000004444 Rev A

2013 SRAM, LLC