Trouble Adjusting Shocks

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Apr 13, 2013 | 12:55 PM

prstaples1911

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Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 36

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From: St. Louis, MO

Trouble Adjusting Shocks

Hoping someone can help me.

I am trying to adjust the preload on the shocks. Per the instructions I turned the one (left) shock a few turns clockwise until it bottomed out so I could back it out the proper number of turns.

Then I moved to the other (right) shock to do the same thing. However, I have turned that shock for over 8 full turns and it will not bottom out. I just keeps turning. What am I missing?

Can a shock be stripped? Am I supposed to keep a wrench on the flat of the shaft the whole time? The instructions say to use the second wrench only when loosing the jam nut.

Thanks for the help.

Apr 13, 2013 | 02:49 PM

Pcat

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 117

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From: Canada

You are using the shock adjustment tool....right?
If you are, you need to get a wrench on the flat spots of the shaft.
If that doesn't work......Something's stripped.

Apr 13, 2013 | 05:37 PM

Tracker56

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 754

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From: Southern Maine

The threads on the shaft get gummed up with road grime sometimes and you need to put a wrench on it to turn the adjuster. Try spraying it with penetrating oil first, that will help free things up.

Apr 13, 2013 | 06:53 PM

prstaples1911

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2012

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From: St. Louis, MO

I let it sit in the sun for a few hours and then tried again. It seemed to work the second time. What I am not clear on is whether a second wrench needs to be on the shaft while you turn the spanner wrench.

The directions just say to use a second wrench on the shaft while you loosen the jam nut.

Given the pain in the *** to adjust preload I could make a good case for replacement Progressive shocks with the RAP feature.

Apr 13, 2013 | 07:16 PM

dennyo

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 19,742

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From: Jamestown, CA

Just make sure that when you are Adjusting the Shock that None of the other Bolts or Nuts are turning , if they are then you will have to Hold-um . But once the Jam nut is turned all the way Back from the Shock nothing should turn but the Shock ,

Apr 13, 2013 | 07:16 PM

HoldFast2012

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Joined: Jun 2012

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From: Washington D.C.

Just did this yesterday on my Slim. I used a wrench on the shaft and the spanner on the jamnut (at the same time) to loosen it up. Once i had the jam nut loose. I only used the spanner to bottom out the shock. It took a good tug to get it moving, but no problems after that. Do you mean it made 8 full rotations? 8 full turns seems like a lot. Mine made one full turn back to "zero".