Help switching out shocks
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 13
Help switching out shocks
Just ordered a set of Progressive 412's 12.5" shocks for my 09 FLHT. Does anyone have any tips for taking off the old shocks and putting on the new ones. Diagrams or pictures would be great, or any type of step by step instructions.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
When mounting them be sure to bolt up the bottom first then fill in the gap at the top with spacers so you don't bind the shocks. The technical term is stiction. You can even bend the shocks if this isn't done.
Otherwise it's a straightforward remove and replace. I tucked the air lines down in between the battery and and fender on my 99 FLHT.
I find a scissor jack to be more helpful than the hydraulic jack when doing this job.
Otherwise it's a straightforward remove and replace. I tucked the air lines down in between the battery and and fender on my 99 FLHT.
I find a scissor jack to be more helpful than the hydraulic jack when doing this job.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 13
When mounting them be sure to bolt up the bottom first then fill in the gap at the top with spacers so you don't bind the shocks. The technical term is stiction. You can even bend the shocks if this isn't done.
Otherwise it's a straightforward remove and replace. I tucked the air lines down in between the battery and and fender on my 99 FLHT.
I find a scissor jack to be more helpful than the hydraulic jack when doing this job.
Otherwise it's a straightforward remove and replace. I tucked the air lines down in between the battery and and fender on my 99 FLHT.
I find a scissor jack to be more helpful than the hydraulic jack when doing this job.
Will the new shocks come with spacers? How will I know if I need them?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
I don't know if they will come with them. I would hope so.
Like I said; do the bottom first then fill in the gap with spacers. If there is no gap and it's tight against the shock mount then you will want to space out the bottom until the fit is right. It's mostly common sense.
Like I said; do the bottom first then fill in the gap with spacers. If there is no gap and it's tight against the shock mount then you will want to space out the bottom until the fit is right. It's mostly common sense.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
From: central Mississippi
It's simple, just do one side at a time, and make a mental note of how the old ones come off. It's about an hour job. The new Progressives will fit perfectly. Mine did anyway.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 13
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
I think I may be an idiot, because I have read this 3 times and it doesn't make sense to me. If I attach the bottom then wouldn't the gap be at the top? And if there is no space, why would I need spacers, wouldn't spacers be used to fill in a gap? Sorry, I am sure the misunderstanding is on my part, not trying to be difficult of rude.
Not sure where the gap referred to is...the only "gap" I had when mounting mine were the shock-to-frame mount due to the 412's being shorter than my stockers...lowered the jack, and...no more gap. And I bolted the top of both shocks first, then the bottom...no problems so far.
I tucked the air lines down in between the battery and and fender on my 99 FLHT.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post