Fox DHX Air 5.0 User manual

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DHX Air 5.0
Installing Your Shock | General Maintenance | efore You Ride | Measuring Sag | Setting Sag | Adjusting
Rebound | ProPedal: Dial or Switch | ottom-Out Resistance | oost Valve | Service Intervals | Important
Safety Information | Stuck Down Shock | Air Sleeve Maintenance | DHX Air Explained
features/
adjustments
high volume
standard air
sleeve,
angled air
valve,
position-
sensitive
oost valve,
adjustable
ProPedal 2-
position
lever,
adjustable
bottom-out
resistance,
adjustable
tuning
range via
Schrader
valve,
adjustable
air spring
pressure,
rebound
adjust
spring air
intended
use
downhill,
freeride, all-
mountain,
cross-
country
Installing Your Shock
If you are installing your shock on a bike in which the shock is not original equipment:
Install the shock. 1.
Remove the main air chamber air cap and let all the air out of the main air chamber.2.
Carefully cycle the suspension through its entire travel.3.
Check that all parts of the shock are clear of the frame and swingarm as it cycles through the travel.4.
Pressurize your main air chamber to a minimum of 50 PSI and no more than 300 PSI. You will tune to a
more specific air pressure in the Setting Sag section below.
5.
Set sag.6.

General Maintenance
There may be a small amount of air sleeve lubricant residue on the body. This is normal. If this residual air
sleeve lubricant is not present, this is an indication that the air sleeve should be re-lubricated. Some other
things to consider for all shock models:
If you ride in extreme conditions, service your shock and air sleeve more frequently. Check the
maintenance schedule for your shock.
•
Wash your shock with soap and water only.•
Do not use a high pressure washer to clean your shock.•
Extensive internal service should be performed by FOX Racing Shox or an Authorized Service Center.•
Before You Ride
Clean the outside of your shock with soap and water and wipe dry with a soft dry rag. Do not use a
high pressure washer on your shock
1.
Inspect entire exterior of shock for damage. The shock should not be used if any of the exterior parts
appear to be damaged. Please contact your local dealer or FOX Racing Shox for further inspection and
repair.
2.
Check that quick-release levers (or thru-axle pinch bolts) are properly adjusted and tightened.3.
Check headset adjustment. If loose, adjust according to manufacturer’s recommendations.4.
Check that brake cables or hoses are properly fastened.5.
Check that the front and rear brakes operate properly on flat land.6.
Setting Sag
You can also view a Flash video on Setting Sag
To set sag on your DHX Air 5.0:
Measure sag, and compare it to the recommended sag setting shown in the Air Spring Setting
Guidelines table below. Continue if the sag is not to specification.
1.
Locate the Schrader air valve on the shock and remove the air valve cap.2.
Screw the FOX Racing Shox High Pressure Pump onto the air valve until the pump shows pressure on
the gauge. Do not over-tighten.
3.
Add air pressure until desired pressure is shown on the gauge. Refer to the Air Spring Setting Guidelines
table below for the proper sag setting.
4.
Unthread the pump from the air valve and measure sag.5.
Repeat steps 2-5 until proper sag is achieved, then replace the air valve cap. 6.
Air Spring Setting Guidelines
Shock Travel
(in /mm)
Sag
(in /mm)
2.00/50.8 .50/12.7
2.25/57.2 .56/14.2
2.50/63.5 .62/15.7
3.00/76.2 .75/19.0
Adjusting Rebound
Rebound controls the rate at which your shock returns after it has been compressed. The proper rebound
setting is a personal preference, and changes with rider weight, riding style and conditions. A rule of thumb is
that rebound should be as fast as possible without kicking back and pushing the rider off the saddle.

The rebound dial has approximately 22 clicks of adjustment.
For slower rebound, turn the red adjuster knob clockwise.
For faster rebound, turn the red adjuster knob counterclockwise.
ProPedal
Adjusting the ProPedal Dial
The ProPedal adjustment knob allows the rider to adjust the amount of ProPedal damping. ProPedal damping
affects the initial part of the compression stroke and is designed to control pedal-induced suspension bob. Since
suspension designs vary, not all bicycles require the same degree of ProPedal damping.
There are 15 clicks of adjustment:
For more ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal knob clockwise.
For lighter ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal knob (shown below) counterclockwise.
Adjusting the ProPedal Switch
The ProPedal adjustment switch allows the rider to adjust the amount of ProPedal damping using a 2-position
switch, which varies from FIRM to SOFT. ProPedal damping affects the initial part of the compression stroke and
is designed to control pedal-induced suspension bob.
The switch has two (2) positions:
For more ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal switch clockwise.
For lighter ProPedal damping, rotate the ProPedal switch (shown below) counterclockwise.

Bottom-Out Resistance
ottom-out resistance affects the final part of the compression stroke. The knob can be turned with a 4 mm hex
key inserted into one of the holes around the perimeter. Do not use any other tool to turn the knob—a 4 mm (or
5/32”) hex key only!
Turn the knob all the way clockwise for the most bottom-out resistance and counter-clockwise for the least.
There are three (3) rotations of adjustment and three (3) corresponding adjustment indicator lines on the
reservoir.
For more bottom-out resistance, turn the knob clockwise.
For less bottom-out resistance, turn the knob counterclockwise.
Note: If the knob feels gritty during rotation, set the knob to maximum volume (fully
counterclockwise), and then use a 2 mm (or 5/64") hex key to loosen the set screws in the
perimeter holes and remove the knob Clean the knob thoroughly Lightly grease, then re-install
the knob
Boost Valve
The oost Valve creates a position-sensitive damping scheme that allows for a seamless transition from efficient
ProPedal to square-edge bump absorption to a bottomless end-of-stroke feel. The oost Valve also decouples
the ProPedal and bottom-out adjustments, enabling ProPedal platform adjustments to be made without affecting
the changes made to the bottom-out adjustment.
The oost Valve is not adjusted directly. Instead, its behavior and performance characteristics are influenced by
the air pressure setting in the reservoir and by adjusting the ProPedal knob.
To change the compression damping characteristics of your DHX Air 5.0 shock, attach a FOX High Pressure
Pump to the air valve on the reservoir:
For a firmer ride, add 10 – 15 pounds of air pressure, to a maximum of 200 PSI.
For a softer ride, decrease the shock’s air pressure 10 – 15 pounds by using the pump’s bleed valve, to
a minimum of 125 PSI.

Ride your bike and verify the settings before repeating the procedure.
Caution! Never ride your bike with more than 200 PSI, or less than 125 PSI in the reservoir air
chamber Doing so can damage your shock and require repairs that are NOT covered under
warranty
ProPedal + Boost Valve Interaction
Certain aspects of the oost Valve can influence the ProPedal adjustment.
If the ProPedal adjustment knob is fully counterclockwise (lightest ProPedal damping position) and the
compression damping is still too strong, attach a shock pump to the Schrader valve on the reservoir and reduce
the pressure 10 – 15 PSI. Repeat to achieve the desired compression damping.
If there is not enough compression damping with the ProPedal knob fully clockwise, add 10 – 15 PSI to the
oost Valve until desired compression damping is achieved.