Replace rear shocks on a softail ...easy or tough?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 13
From: Trabuco Canyon, California
Replace rear shocks on a softail ...easy or tough?
My original shock only lasted about 30k miles...and the shocks I have now probably have 125k on them....the shocks feel fine to me but my wife says her back is starting to get beat-up riding back there....so I am thinking the shocks are worn and it is time to replace them....
When I looked at the HD svc manual it doesn't talk about using any jack or lift....I have one of those lifts that roll underneath the bike...can I replace the shocks with that kind of lift or do I need something else? Any other special tools? Or are tools going to run me more than it is worth to do it myself?
I saw some kind of shock compressing tool on ebay...do I need that? Or is that just for rebuilding shocks?
My wife will be happy if she has a comfy ride again....she has been on the bike a lot less this last year so I am hoping it is the bike and not her back....maybe it is time for a road king
When I looked at the HD svc manual it doesn't talk about using any jack or lift....I have one of those lifts that roll underneath the bike...can I replace the shocks with that kind of lift or do I need something else? Any other special tools? Or are tools going to run me more than it is worth to do it myself?
I saw some kind of shock compressing tool on ebay...do I need that? Or is that just for rebuilding shocks?
My wife will be happy if she has a comfy ride again....she has been on the bike a lot less this last year so I am hoping it is the bike and not her back....maybe it is time for a road king
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
You can't really do it on a jack, because the jack is in the way... but it is easier to do with the bike in the air. Use the jack to raise the bike and then put jack-stands or timbers under the frame so you can get the jack out of the way. Put the jack under the rear wheel to keep it from moving while you remove the shocks. Remove one shock at time, and reinstall the new one before you do the other. With an 86 all you need is an 3/4 combination wrench and a 2 pound hammer...no compressor tool needed. Put the box end on the bolt heads and use the hammer to make easy work of loosening them. Use loctite on reassembly and again use the hammer to make it easy to tighten. It will take you longer to get it in the air and back on the ground, than it will to change the shocks. Have fun.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bamahemi
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
2
Jul 12, 2011 05:02 PM
