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Mar 2022 orig.
Any damage or issues resulting from improper service will not be covered by warranty. If you have a fork still in its original warranty period and do not wish to void your warranty, please contact an authorized Cane Creek service center.
These service instructions cover the basic service procedures using standard service kits. If your suspension requires parts beyond standard replacement parts – CSU, compression rods, etc. – please consult your authorized Cane Creek service center or contact us at our Cane Creek Support Center.
These instructions cover just the damper leg of a complete 100 hour service. Combine these instructions with the appropriate spring side – air or coil; original or MKII – and 50 hour lower service to get a complete 100 hour fork service.
Additionally, follow these instructions for damper removal and reinstall if sending the damper off for a service with an authorized Cane Creek service center.
BAG0713 – HELM MKII Damper Rebuilt Kit
BAG0405 – Compression Retaining Nut Socket – Thin Walled 11mm socket
AAG0086 – HELM Cartridge Fill Tool
AAG0367 – HELM Oil Seal Head Bullet
AAG0406 – HELM Compression Outer Sleeve Spanner
Allen wrenches – 4mm
Torx wrenches – T10
Sockets – 10, 13 & chamfer-less 30mm
Crowfoot wrenches – 10, 18, 20 & 22mm
Open Ended Box wrenches – 10, 18, 20 & 22mm
10mm Shaft Clamp
Torque wrenches
Knipex pliers
Pick
Suspension Grease
PolyLube Grease
Motorex 2.5wt Racing Fork Oil
Vacuum Oil Fill Machine
Torque & Loctite Chart
Part | Torque Spec | Loctite Spec |
Rebound Adjuster | 5 Nm | 243 (Blue) |
Damper Top Cap to Gold Coupling | 9 Nm | None |
Oil Seal Head to Damper Tube | 13 Nm | None |
Damper Install | 36 Nm | 243 (Blue) |
Compression Nut | Hand Tight | 243 (Blue) |
LSC Knob Screw | 1.6 Nm | 243 (Blue) |
Oil Chart
Oil Location | Oil Type | Oil Amount |
Damper Fill | Motorex 2.5wt Racing Fork Oil | Fill to 2 Bars |
Review all related TSBs before performing any service.
No specific HELM MKII damper TSBs at this time.
Prior to beginning damper service, remove the lower assembly per the 50 hour service instructions.
Secure CSU. Using T10 Torx, remove Low Speed Compression knob screw. Remove LSC knob. Using thin walled 11mm socket (BAG0405), remove Low Speed Compression retaining nut. Remove Low Speed Compression take up adaptor. Take care to not remove Low Speed Compression needle at this time. Thread needle back into damper with 4mm Allen.
***Do not clamp damper tube. It will collapse.***
Using Knipex or vise, secure damper on gold damper coupling. Use 22mm open end wrench to loosen oil seal head. Remove oil seal head and rebound circuit using a circular motion. Discard damper oil in appropriate container.
Remove Low Speed needle from top of damper using 4mm Allen. Clamp damper coupling in vise. Using 30mm socket on top cap while simultaneously holding bladder with hand, loosen entire assembly above damper coupling. Remove bladder assembly, compression check spring and compression piston assembly. Ensure the actual poppet comes out with the piston assembly.
Thoroughly clean rebound assembly. Using 10mm shaft clamp, clamp damper shaft between seal head and rebound adjuster. Using 10mm open ended wrench, remove adjuster. Remove and discard o-ring from rebound adjuster, oil seal head, and piston band from rebound piston.
Always use extreme caution when using a pick in this step or others to avoid scratching metal parts. Failure to do this can create scratches in the o-ring glands which cause leak paths for oil or air. When possible, pinch and remove o-rings rather than using a pick.
Install new bladder (AAG0216HNBR) on compression outer sleeve. Ensure bladder and outer compression sleeve threads are exposed. Insert claw into compression outer sleeve, lining up claw pegs with channels on the outer compression sleeve. Holding claw in place, rotate helix onto claw.
Fill vacuum to (3) mbar. Equalize pressure. Pressurize damper to (2) bars while extending damper shaft.
***Do not overfill. Can cause bladder to rupture.***
Fill vacuum to (3) mbar allowing damper shaft to return to compressed. Equalize pressure. Pressurize damper to (2) bars while extending damper shaft.
Upon completion of the damper install and any spring side service, install lower assembly per the 50 hour service instructions.
Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed