Shock Assembly advice

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

So I called in to Tekniks on Yesterday and picked up a heaviershock spring for the WR.

Normally I just take the bike to a mechanic for anything other than a basic service or changing tyres, sprockets or chains. This time though I thought I would have a go and fit it myself but I have struck a bit of a problem.

I thought it would just be a case of backing of the adjustment screws and swapping the springs around but it wasn’t quite that simple.

Once I had the shock out of the bike I worked out that I had to take the lower part off to swap the springs so I undid the locknut then unscrewed the bottom piece and there was a thin shaft sticking out of the end. After I pulled the old spring off and grabbed the new one the thin shaft thing flew out and hit the wall and fluid started flowing out as well.

So 2 questions

a) I have lost fluid and need to replace it but how do I know how much

b) I am not sure which way around the thin shaft was before it flew out. One end is pointed with a hole through it and the other end is rounded.

and probably a third question, should I get the shock serviced while I have it out? The bike is 18 months old.

[Richard WMember]

Jeffro wrote:

After I pulled the old spring off and grabbed the new one the thin shaft thing flew out and hit the wall and fluid started flowing out as well.

sounds deadly

[alanMember]

take it back to technics i reckon get them to fix it

[scott bockingMember]

The lower spring retainer unseats once the preload is unwound and then can be rotated so that it can be removed. You have de-gassed your rear shock and that will mean taking it to a mechanic.
If ever you are in doubt check on You-Tube first. Almost all basic maintenance jobs are on there.

STM

[GregMember]

I am just getting nick some dinner ( he is back at the workshop building my Tenere engine ) I will tell him when I get back from up the street. :laugh:

TB

[Nick DoleMember]

Ok, what you were supposed to do was undo the threaded pre-load collars at the top and then remove the c clip at the bottom to release the spring.

Unfortunately you have unscrewed the clevis off the end of the shaft and the rebound needle has shot out under 150psi of gas pressure and hit the wall.

Bring me the shock and the needle and the spring, i’ll give the shock a quickie service and get you on your way again…plus i’ll fit the spring!

Will only take me 30 or 40 minutes if i’m not doing a full rebuild, it’s just strip the shock, reinstall the clevis and back together again…

you are NOT the first, i get 2 or 3 every year…

Ill be at work till 12 tonight, building TB’s engine or tomorrow….or Saturday…..

[GregMember]

Ps Jeffro wrong end. Rumsoakedstudios has been employed to do videos on all these jobs by Nick but there just isn’t enough time in the day ATM :unsure:

TB

[AlexMember]

That’s impressive. It never ceases to amaze me how many different interpretations and methods people have on things. That’s human nature. How many thousand times I have done the same thing with other components. Bad luck is all.

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

I have been travelling to Sydney at least once a week for work for the past 12 months. This week was meant to be the last trip. I might have to see if I can scam one more work trip to save having to do it on my time

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

I just wish I had thought to look it up on you tube like Scott said

[murph the surfMember]

Unlucky Jeffro
I have changed quite a few rear springs, so a quick question in “tech help” would of been the go.
Hynd sight is a bugger of a thing.
Off to the shop for a regas, mate
Sounds like Nick is onto it
Cheers
Murph

[Nick DoleMember]

Shock is still full of gas, just no oil in it….
The gas only pressurises the oil, it’s more oil than gas in there.
I’ll be working almost all weekend if it’s any help….

[GregMember]

test

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

I will probably be in Sydney Wednesday, I will drop it off and pick it after I have done my other jobs. Should be there around 10 and back by 3 I hope

[Nick DoleMember]

Sweet, see you then.

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