My ohlins #2-#2a rear shocks was due for a rebuild per Howards instructions. (+40K) So I went ahead and sent it back to him for rebuilding.
A few weeks later got them back like they were brand new. I re-installed them on my bike in the same manner with the same spacer locations. Re-set same my sag and test drove.
First few miles was a stiff ride. I thought to myself maybe they need to break in. Well its over 1K mi later but they still feel stiff. The ride is not the same as they were brand new. WTF?

I am now thinking if these shocks are a one time used only. Re-building does not make them function like they were brand new. Paid about $200 for rebuilding.

Anybody here has the similar experience?

 

No experience with a rebuild, as I only have about 400 miles on my ohlins hd159 shocks, but best advice would be to call the man and speak to him directly. From the sounds of it, i'm guessing the wrong viscosity fluid may have been used, wrong pistons internally, or if they change out the springs, maybe a stiffer spring. Just throwing ideas out there, if the exact same parts/fluid are used for a rebuild, u would definitely think they would ride 100% the same after broken in. Howard seems to get irritated when people post first on the forums before calling him, just a heads up lol

 

How often are u supposed to have them rebuilt anyway? Do they not perform as well if u don't have them rebuilt at the specified interval, or risk damage to the shock?

 

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OP stated rbld the Ohlins @ 40k+ miles per Howard.

scott

 

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Like already suggested could be thicker viscosity shock oil was used and or maybe he installed heavier duty springs too.

Call Howard and ask if he re-installed the same springs that were on the shocks when i got them for rbld or if he installed new springs and if yes were they the same type/spring rate?

And also ask what brand & visc shock oil he used when you got then new vs when he rblt them too.

After reading your post if i buy ohlins from howard you can bet i am gtoing to ask for setup info like what is spring rates along with mfg & visc of shock oil be used too so i could ensure the same setup when it comes to rbld time.

But in your case you could try backing off on spring preload adj & or dampening adj to see if that smooths it out enough to get you back close to & or exactly where you were prior to shock rbld.

This situation falls in the oil saying " IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT " so if the shocks were performing well , not leaking & you were happy with the perf @ 40k miles maybe next time after you these shocks sorted out/properly dialed in again you should wait till perf degrades more or they are starting to weep/leak before rebuilding them and forget the 40k miles thing.

Good luck.

Scott

 

Very good point

 

Call Howard. He built and rebuilt them I'm sure he can tell you exactly what went into the rebuild.

 

>>> I re-installed them on my bike in the same manner with the same spacer locations.
<<< I sent you new mounting instructions so you would re-measure set the proper length spacers needed after 40K miles. I do not know one way or the other if your frame moved thus making your shocks out of alignment. This will destroy your shocks and make them drag.

>>> Re-set same my sag and test drove.
<<< Did you test drive and fine tune the shocks as I stated the first time you installed them? I am willing to bet you did not.

Did you follow the directions on your original invoice under Item #: 00 I wish you to call me & we will put the shocks on together. Please have shocks in hand & instructions already read & understood?

You may wish to follow the directions if in fact you are the original purchaser.

Rebuilding Ohlins shocks must follow a very precise order and method using only official Ohlins parts. Of course I use the exact same Ohlins Oil, why do you think I am factory trained and factory certified service center.

Your shocks must be either out of alignment, not properly adjusted or both. Why would you not just call me for the correct information? I have been here early in the AM. All of you guys always want to blame something other than yourselves. There is no incorrectly functioning shock or stiff oil. There is you not doing what is necessary to get your ride the way you want it.

 

After reading this thread again it seems to me the best approach to avoid the OP's issues when Ohlins are rblt is to simply treat them as if they are brand new again which requires doing a proper setup & dial in post re-installing the Ohlins post being rblt & all should be just fine which may be whats already been suggested by others in so many words.

That would include things like setting sag adj along with also doing enough test rides to get some miles on them & then after that doing spring preload adj along with other dampening adj too until the Ohlins are properly dialed in all over again just like when the shocks were brand spanking new.

It may seem like a pia to do that all over again , but its time well spent for the result/reward you get when being patient enough to ensure you get the Ohlins properly adjusted for the application they are being used in resulting in the ride/shock perf the OP poster was used to from the Ohlins when they were properly setup & dialed in when they were brand new the 1st time around.

Maybe thats something anyone having Ohlins rblt should made aware of / understand up front prior to getting them rblt/srvc'd to avoid this type negative misunderstanding in the future (HINT!) from what may be an inexperienced unaware customer like seem's to have happened here where you have the person rebuilding the shocks that knows what he's doing being a true expert in the fld so there should be nothing wrong with the shocks & the true issue here looking to be the owner/operator of the shocks " not being aware " they are required to do another complete setup just like when shocks were brand new including dialing them in all over again expecting the newly rblt shocks to work/perform approx or exactly the same using the old setup adjustments he used prior to the shocks being rblt when in reality thats not the case as he soon found out.

Just a suggestion,taking 30 seconds to ensure this is understood (full setup/adj is required on rblt Ohlins) in all communication with the customer prior to rebuilding their Ohlins should avoid this from happening in the future especially considering not everyone has the same lvl of understanding & or mech ability when it comes to suspension tech & or wrenching skill in general as others may have where this wouldnt have been an issue at all for those people " in the know " that are aware.

This would have avoided the customer's frustration & misunderstanding shown here in this thread along with time wasted on both ends for a phone call or 2 to fix it too & thats as long as either of the people involved doesnt get a bit too hot under the collar when the call is made sending things down hill quickly from there which is possible in a situation like this that i hope doesnt happen here in this case.

Just trying to help.

Happy Motoring!

Scott

 

I love Ohlins threads. The level of obsession, compulsion, fanaticism, hero worship and general undying love for a set of rear shocks is so over the top that it creates some very entertaining threads. I can envision the members who possess these obvious instruments of mechanical art using specialized precision measuring instruments to precisely, to the thousands of an inch, set up squareness, sag, rebound, compression, droop, whoop de do, or whatever else must be perfectly measured so the ride is as precise and perfect as a NASA moon rocket launch.

Unfortunately, I am numbered among the unwashed masses using stock shocks (modified to boot!) to imperfectly ride my Harley down the highways and byways of this still great nation.