Toms Evol Air Update-Must read for owners!

[trinitypowder]

I got a phone call from Tom almost two weeks ago about my suspension. Tom said "I saw on Snowest that you had been having some problems with the paint coming off of your upper shock mount on the rear arm. We have identified the problem. When Fox sent us the Evol R shocks for the rear, they forgot to tell me that they put a bump stop inside the shock. It measures .857 of an inch and under full compression it is .50 of an inch. That half inch of travel is the problem. The shock is bottoming out before the suspension does. We have designed bump stops into the suspension already, so the Fox bump stop is what is causing the arms to fail. So far we have had 3 fail. It's an easy fix though. Pull your shock, put it in a vice, release the MAIN chamber air pressure and unscrew the shock body. Then take a straight edge and cut the bump stop out. I have done 4-5 on the sleds, but it's easier to put it in a vise. I'm glad we found the problem and am sorry for the issues you've been having. I will send you a new rear arm, that's no problem. We have added some additional bracing to the uppershock mount, although now that we know what the problem is, it really doesn't need it. But since yours may have stretched, I'll send you a new one. Thanks again and I'm sorry for the problems. Call me if you need anything. Thanks Ike". So there you have it. I have the new arm and it is BEEFED UP significantly. It looks like my 3 year old welded it, but it does look stronger. This arm also came fully assembled with the top roller and bump stops installed. I just got a PM from a guy that just had his fail and it did ALOT OF DAMAGE. After hearing from Tom, I believe he's the kind of guy that will take care of it. Here's a pic of me "pounding" the old arm, with the bump stop removed. The arm is still ok. And here's a pic of the new arm.

 

[sierra sleder]

Trinitypowder, good to hear that Tom is making it right for you. Tom is a stand up guy with his products and for the industry in general. I am glad you posted this up date, after the first set of posts on the fualty Evol Air rear arm I examined mine very closely and took some pics. Mine looks good, I must not be hammering on it as hard as you and the others . I am going to continue to keep a close eye on it. I am headed to Toms on Tuesday and will have him inspect mine, and ask him about the fixs'.

 

[trinitypowder]

I might not have noticed if I hadn't painted it red. Make sure he gets the bump stop out

 

[trinitypowder]

TTT-don't want any one to miss this!! Otherwise, it could get expensive

 

[overboard]

WTF ??? Mine was the first to fail (or so he said). I have received the new arm and not yet had the chance to ride. Why have I not been contacted ? Tom ? Tom ?
The way to deal with this is to let all owners know, the sooner the better.
Almost everyone who bought one surely has email, why not an email to all concerned. I got the x-mas wishes email from Casey, why no update on this ?

 

[trinitypowder]

That's interesting..........I didn't get the Christmas email You haven't heard a thing from them? The new arm is nice, but an explanation as to why should have been included. I figured as fast as they took care of me, they would take care of everyone

 

[sierra sleder]

Bump Stop!!!

 

[TWARD700]

When you took your shock out did it have any damage on it? Because when I took mine out the bottom of the shock has 2 small dents and a scrap on the end. Did you take the bump stop out of your shock and if so how hard and how you did it.

 

[trinitypowder]

The bottom of my shock is damaged just like yours. After you let the air pressure out of the main chamber, put that end/eye in a vice and twist the shock body(the part with the fox sticker) until it's loose. After you slide it down the bump stop will be waiting for you! Take a straight edge razor and cut it out. Screw the body back on and your done.

 

[TWARD700]

What did you do with damage on the shock. How are you liking te 860 thinking of doing it next year.

 

[overboard]

The bottom shock mount on mine was damaged too (not due to top mount failure). I simply took that rocker arm (where this end mounts) off and filed the mount a small bit to ensure there was adequate clearance during rotation. All owners should verify this.
I thought my stock mount may have been a bit "out" as far as specs go - thus causing this rub. I think the fox eyelet is just a little tight for the stock mount.
I still have not rec'd any update.

 

[trinitypowder]

I'm surprised and disappointed that Tom hasn't been on here to set things straight. I'm glad he took care of me, but he's let the rest of you fella's down

 

[Rotax_Kid]

I talked with Tom a couple days ago. He's trying to get things rolling with this. He's been out testing the past few days out of town. He told me he doesn't check the fourms all that much anymore because he's been so backed up and things went a little bigger than expected this year. Give him a call, he's a nice guy to chat with and has taken the time to talk to me anytime I've called. He mentioned he'll take care of the bump stop in one way or another whether a guy has to send the shock in or he'll walk you through it in real time on the phone.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Ike, what did that set up cost you? Are you running the new shocks on the front, center and rear? PM me please.

 

[trinitypowder]

ttt

 

[MoPow]

I'm surprised and disappointed that Tom hasn't been on here to set things straight. I'm glad he took care of me, but he's let the rest of you fella's down

Thanks for the notice. I have received Tom's promotional E-mails. I have heard nothing about the bump-stop or the lower shock damage from Tom.

I am NOT surprised. Tom talks the talk, and walks ~ ~ ~

 

[trinitypowder]

I haven't received a single email. Hummmmm

 

[trinitypowder]

I forgot to mention that I rode a week ago with the bump stop removed, but with the original arm still installed. No bad bottoming "noises" nor any damage. The new arm is going on tomorrow

 

[skank]

I was one of the very few that had problems with my rear shock but just wanted to let everyone know that Tom is a stand up guy and he definetly made things right with me. He actually cares about his customers and his product after it has been sold. Kind of a nice change for once. He seemed very bummed out that he had a shock failure that casued my arm to bend but he had already figured out the problem and Im back on the snow again. IMHO It wasnt really Toms fault that fox decided to slip the bump stop in his custom order of shocks. All of Toms testing and design work was with fox shocks without a bump stop. With the bumpstop inside the shock there is less travel which was not originaly planned for. Once I had removed the bumpstop I have since beat the living tar out of this suspension and it is holding up great. I am 235lbs without gear and extra gas and I love to jump big, bang the whoops, hillclimb, and tear up the deep stuff. My 09 xp would only be half as fun without out Toms complete Evol R setup all the way around.

 

[trinitypowder]

I love my suspension too! It took a serious beatin' today-saved ME from taking one the rear has performed perfectly with the bump stop out. I even had a phone call from Tom today to make sure everything is still good. I'm happy