Fox shock has a fill port plug instead of a schrader?

This appears to be an anti-tamper hex plug? Drill pin hole to vent then remove? Can a schrader be installed in that size hole?. I am surprised this hole doesn't have a valve.

 

There must be a valve under that plug. Someone out there knows.

 

I’m, sorry I can’t answer your question but I have a question for you. What tool did you use to remover the spring? I want to swap springs on mine but regular spring compressors from the auto parts store won’t cut the mustard for this. thanks!

 

I needed to forcibly compress the spring about 3/4" to remove the stops. I chucked the shock up in a vise (soft jaws) and pulled the spring down using a ratchet strap and two hard metal pins at the spring base/slider. This is not the safest thing to do so do this at your own risk and only if you have to move the spring a smidgen. I intend to install a new set of 14" King springs x 650# to make up for the additional weight up front. The 13" stock Fox springs are rated to 600#s but 13" springs are not a common length and I haven't found 650/700# in 13 (yeah, they're out there somewhere. My Google Foo must be slipping) . I will weld up a fixture to safely compress the longer spring. I will make a 4" channel "L" as the body, welding tabs at the bottom leg to capture the top shock mount. I will then make a wishbone shaped compression lever using 3/4" round stock at the "U" end and cover it with heater hose to keep from marring the shock.

 

I want to swap my 13” 600lb springs for 14” 650lb springs as well. Thanks.

 

OK. 24 hours later.. no recommendations. No exploded views anywhere on the web. No YouTube's which had a plug instead of a Schrader valve..nada. Wait and call the off-road shop tomorrow? Nope. I was pretty sure there would be a valve under the plug. I drilled out the anti-tamper portion of the plug and cracked the plug halfway. I sprayed with soapy water checking for bubbles. Huh..no bubbles...must be a valve under the plug right? Nope..the plug is PART of the valve. I did not drill the hole in the plug..it was there but filled with nylon from the safety plug I drilled out. This shock fills with a needle just like a football. I will be installing typical Schrader valves as part of this rebuild. I will disassemble tomorrow and decide which shims to run.

 

Fox make a specific needle for shock filling, this is it closed and open. Its connected to a regulator and nitrogen bottle. It is not a standard football style needle, I know this style is used by a few shock manufacturers.

 

The guy that posted the correct Fox tool is 100% correct. You do not use a ball needle. The needle is small gage similar to a medical needle.

The nylon pellet starts life as a ball and is set into the drilled set screw to act as a tamper resistant device.

Using the rubber disc, the small needle passes through. The nitrogen is put into the shock. Then the setscrew is tightened to prevent loss of the nitrogen. If the setscrew has not been loosened slightly prior to inserting the needle, often the needle breaks. If the set screw is not tightened after gassing the shock, the gas will leak out.

Fox uses the same setup on bicycle shock. I do convert those to Shrader since those shocks often require 500 psi.

Your best bet might be to order new rubber discs, order the tool and retain the original setup. I say this not knowing if my shrader method would work or if the shrader would be vulnerable when the shock is installed. Honestly though, it is a pretty poorly designed setup.