Manitou Black Fork

[IcemanSS454]

I have a 2002 Manitou Black Super Air which is not holding air. Short of sending it back to Answer (which i would like to avoid so I can keep riding) is there anything I can do to remedy this. I already have a new piston on order and have replaced the valve core. Any expertise would be much appreciated.

[Andy in Wi]

well, make sure you have some fork oil going inside the air chamber. Also, pull out the current piston, grease it (with o-ring friendly stuff like judy butter, slick honey, polylube, whatever won't eat the insides). Go to the hw store, pick up a rubber o-ring to replace the current topcap o-ring. Grease that up, put in. It's probably piston seals, but you never know. Also, make sure the stanchion (sp?) is free of dings and dents.
-WiBA

[Dr.Spoke]

This is not too uncommon, as yer man says, lube the piston. I like about 5cc Rock Shox RED RUM on top of the piston, but any heavy fork oil will do. The latest manitou pistons do not have replaceable rings, and are easily damaged, I think you will need the new piston. I rutinely do this as a warranty, but it's a judgement call!