How to Change 888 Marzocchi Springs

Adjusting the suspension on your mountain bike can be a disaster without the proper tools and information. The Marzocchi 888 suspension line is the biggest front suspension model available from Marzocchi. This manufacturer specializes in downhill mountain bike racing. The suspension's springs may need to be changed if you ride it frequently or are seeking stronger tension. Doing it by yourself can save you money and removing the springs takes about 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

  • Repair Stand
  • Crescent Wrench
  • Allen Wrench set
  • Pliers
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the bike in a repair stand so that the wheels are off the ground and you can move freely around it. Use either the quick-release feature or Allen wrenches to remove the front wheel. This makes it easier to remove the suspension without added weight.

    • 2

      Use a 4-millimeter or 5-millimeter Allen wrench to loosen the retaining brackets. These brackets hold the suspension tubes and front fork to the bike's frame. Both brackets must be loosened at an equal pace because if one is loosened too much, all the weight and pressure will be placed on the other one. This also will allow you to pull the suspension unit from the bike. Lay the suspension unit on a towel set up on a nearby table or workbench.

    • 3

      Use the Allen wrench to unscrew the adjusters/top tubes. These are at the top of each suspension post. The wrench should loosen these all the way so that you can pull the unit with the springs attached. Be mindful of which way the fork is leaning because there is oil inside these tubes that could spill.

    • 4

      Pull the adjusters out of the suspension tubes, and the springs will come along with it. Lay these on the towel because they will be coated with small amounts of suspension oil. Remove the springs by unscrewing them from the adjusters and dampening coil. Exchange the old coils for new ones.

    • 5

      Put the suspension back together by reversing the steps.