This is the bleeding procedure for 2008 onwards TST units (without bladder) that can be opened via a nut at the base of the main body. If you cartridge doesn’t have the nut this guide is not for you & we will get to those later.
This procedure is easy, you just need to take the cartridge out of the fork to do it.
*A lot of 2008 forks had problems with cartridges locking out, this was due to oil in the leg being sucked inside the cartridge and causing hydraulic lock. To make sure this does not happen again, do not use any oil in the slider just use grease instead and the cartridge wont fail again.
Hi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI have a 2008 55ETA with TSTmicro damping. I get good lockout in the CL position, but the other positions are all identical in terms of compression damping. The gold adjuster in the centre has no effect, except on the lockout. What is going on? Can I fix it?. The cartridge does have a nut at the base of the main body btw... Does this mean it has no bladder and I can strip it down and rebuild it?
Cheers, Charlie.
I think its ok? The TST micro has lock out with adjustable 'gate', the gate adjusts how much lock out you have. For example if you back it of (the gold knob) and the lock out is activated the fork becomes semi-active rather than rigid. I have explained the function here:
ReplyDeletehttp://dansbikestuff.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/marzocchi-tech-making-adjustments-micro.html
Hi Dan, so the TST Micro is analagous to RockShox Motion control, with the gold knob like the floodgate. I was under the impression that there were 5 discrete settings, I didn't realise that the lever could be positioned anywhere in the range.
ReplyDeleteI was struggling to get a good set up with the TST and the ETA coil/air spring. The coil is too light for me (100kg all geared up), so I ran some air assist, but found that the fork ramped up too much towards the end of the stroke feeling harsh. I currently have the fork stripped down and hope to be able to tune the oil level in the ETA leg to reduce the ramp of the air spring. I understand 175ml is the correct level. Are heavier springs available for 55 ETA?
start with 175cc of oil, cycle the cartridge until its full, extend the cartridge fully and then syringe oil out until the level just covers the top of the lower cartridge body, this is the absolute minimum the fork will work with and will make the spring very linear.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there is no harder spring available.
Cheers Dan, I'll give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteSo in order to make my 55 tst2 stop getting hydro-lock I replace all the oil in the lowers with some grease and just fill the cartridge with oil right?
ReplyDeleteYes, perform the re-bleed and install with no slider oil, just grease.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan,
ReplyDeleteThanks. This worked well for my 2013 Marzocchi 44 Micro Switch TA 29" forks. The damper got hydro-locked. I am wondering if you could post a service/bleed procedure for the travel adjust cartridge on the other side of the fork please!
the Switch cartridge is a little more complicated, but we will work on it!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I am sure I am not alone. I haven't had much luck finding service info on this, even with Marzocchi direct (no response at all). I bought the Marzocchi 44 Micro Switch TA 29" forks on a recommendation from a friend. They have been great but I have always done my own service work and have been very disappointed by the lack of information available. Most other brands have this info readily available on their websites.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan
ReplyDeleteI have a 2008 55ETA with TSTmicro damping. i've got problem with tst micro... all open or all close. it's the same. i follow your procedure literaly, but now i removed previous lockout after 100mm, but tst yet doesn't work. and after a compression strong (5-8 cm) rebound is jerky, like air or water inside cartridge.
can you help me?
alessandro
what oil are you using as this can affect performance. You can use 5 or 7.5w but only motorcycle quality (not bicycle). Failing this there may be a problem with the micro (gate) part of the damper which would require further investigation?
DeleteHello Dan
Deletethanks for your reply
can i use a 5wt oil?
i can chane old oil with this one... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/it/it/rock-oil-svi-suspension-fluid/rp-prod8399
yes, Rock Oil is fine to use.
DeleteHello Ferida.
DeleteDid you manage to sort out the problem?
I have I think the same problem. Lockout knob does not do any difference.
I just bought it second hand but I could return it if the problem is too big/expensive.
Glad for tips.
Lars
Hello 4x44ever
Deleteunfortunately problem remains also after different kinds of maintenance.
but all were unofficial. i wonder if an official marzocchi maintenance (over 100€) is right solutions for a 2008 fork!?
can you guys explain how to adjust air preload on b55 tst2 coil forks.
ReplyDeletethe air pre-load feature is usually used in support of the main coil spring. Air pressures are usually low as the air can over power the main coil spring, so use 0-20psi only. Always use a shock pump.
DeleteHi Dan, I have an issue with brake diving on my 44 STA. Any hints re the oil weight? Would have used a 10w (maxima 85-150). Is this too much as you recommend 5 or 7.5. Cheers Thorsten
ReplyDeletethe only way to increase low speed compression to dial that brake dive out is up the oil weight to SAE10w, then re-adjust the rebound to compensate.
DeleteWill try, thanks
DeleteHi, can the bleed procedure be done by removing the top cap of the TST cartridge instead of the bottom cap? what oil height will I need?
ReplyDeleteno, the above instructions are the best method
DeleteHi Dan,
ReplyDeleteI have a 2007 AM SL2 with TST5 and ATA, the system is very similar but it not have a nut in bottom, can only be opened from above.
In this system, also leave 40mm air to top?
Show two photos:
Top: http://tinyurl.com/j257x7d
Bottom: http://tinyurl.com/hq8bbcx
Very much thanks
the TST5 damper (with bladder) is very different so I have just added it, check out http://marzocchiworkshop.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/service-guide-tst5-cartridge-with.html
DeleteUhm... I think have a confusion... my amsl2 is without bladder... look here http://goo.gl/PVocI3 and http://goo.gl/BZZKyv
DeleteThen ... what tst type I have? :O
Thanks for your last post!
Ahh, TST2. I think we may have a video for that damper, I'll have a dig.
DeleteWhat could you find? Regards.
DeleteJust been reading. My friend has just bought a 'new' 2008 55ATA2.
DeleteI assume this model still has the ATA2 locking problem.
Also he's at the top end of the weight range so 220lb
So is it 140/150psi in these in the ATA2?
Taken me a while as all new to me but getting my head around the accronyms and what is what. I used marzocchi site model page for the pressures.
If he is getting dive to full travel coming to a stop or leaning on the front, is that pressure too low (we don't know the pressure as no pump just yet) or will the idea of using 10wt help as well ?
first off if the fork is still diving its probably still to soft (this fork doesn't have compression adj), so I would try increasing by 5psi a time until he feels it feels right. As we are at the top end of pressures you may find that you cannot get the rebound controlled, switching out to SAE10w oil in the damper will definitely help and get your settings back int he middle of the available range.
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ReplyDeleteDan, any luck finding the TST2 mentioned above? I could use it.
ReplyDeleteDan, any luck finding the TST2 mentioned above? I could use it.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan,
ReplyDeletei changed the oil of my TST Micro Damper of a 2008 corsa 100mm sl wc. to 5wt fox fluid. after reinstalling the rebound piston an cycling the damper to test it, oil leaked out at the rebound adjuster rod.
is there a guide how to take the rebound assembly apart and what kind of seal i need to replace? the exploded view (https://www.marzocchi.com/System/19088/MY2008%20-%20MARATHON%20CORSA%20SL%20WC%20-%20100%20-%20RC_R03.pdf) on the marzocchi site just lists this as a complete part (#50) and doenst give any details how to take it apart...
best regards
Georg
Just bought an old bike for my wife fitted with Marzocchi bomber 44 tst2. They had no pressure at all and we're slumped down. I pumped to the correct psi but over night lost all pressure again. The forks would be fine if they kept the air pressure. Is the air leakage likely to be old/perished seals or is it more serious? Is there a quick fix or will new parts be need stand do these still exist being so old? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIts more likely the air valve core that is contaminated and being held open. The core's are the same as you find in inner tubes and are easily swapped out and replaced. Try that first, if it doesn't work check for oil leaks (the air should push some oil out) around the top plug edges and foot nuts, this would indicate that an o-ring will need replacing.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan, do you have a definitive oil level/volume for 2008 Bomber 55tst2 140?
ReplyDeleteI see in the chart it is nothing in the right leg, 50cc left leg, is this correct?
Cannot find a lot of info on this particular fork.
Many thanks!
Marc
I will be checking the tst2 and doing the shim stack mod at a later date 😊
DeleteThe TST damper had a habit of sucking in oil from the leg and overfilling, thus creating hydraulic lock. Our advice is to not tun oil in the TST leg, just a lot of grease, we use Buzzys Slick Honey. In the air leg you can run a little oil as normal.
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ReplyDeleteWhen measuring the 40mm do you do it from the top or the bottom of the threads? Did from the bottom of the threads as I figured that was the "main body". I have damper. Not the smoothest, but I haven't put it back in the shock. I still don't have lockout working yet though. Could there still be another issue in the upper part of the cartridge?... Originally problem appeared to be I blew out the piston rod screw. Cleared up the threads and used Teflon tape to hold for now. Is there any where to buy that part or is it pray for the best until I can afford a new shock?
ReplyDeletemeasure from the top. The lock out is the top piece but it may not be working as if you have filled from the lower point there will not be enough oil inside the damper.
Delete...It's a 2008 Bomber 55 tst2 160
ReplyDeleteWill add new blood:
ReplyDeletemaybe just need to install the rod seal as "upside down" to solve the oil sucking into the cartridge?
Seals are completely cracked on my fork, but I am scared to service them my self, and bike shops are refusing to service them for me, anyone got any advice with removing the lowers and replacing the oil, how many ml's do I need to add back or can I just measure the oil which comes out
ReplyDelete