Does any body know what all is involved in rebuilding a shock?

[LonesomeTriZ]

I am not sure if this subject has been covered or not. I did a search and did not find the details I am looking for. Can some one share a detailed step by step process of rebuilding reservoir shocks? It cost too damn much to have it done and the parts them selves are not the expensive. Please include a list of tools that are needed as well. Photographs would be even better. Plus, if any of you are good at it and will not charge me my left nut, I may send them to you until I get my own shop again. Thanks in advance for the help.

[SYKO]

SWEET! I'm hanging out for this thread! I need to know how do mine as well for my 250R mine is a turd, and I agree I did some calling around here and a few places all send them to some place in alabama to get them rebuilt, the cheapest being about 80 if the spring was still good, not including the shipping their and back though and it cost more to make it better than stock and cleaned up.

[Billy Golightly]

I took an old crappy shock apart and your right theres not that much to it. I think the problem is though, assembling it without air in the system and filling it with the nitrogen and oil setup. If you look at some of the OEM service manuals they can give you a pretty decent idea on the breakdown. I do remember reading one time long long ago that if you had a high pressure air compressor and an air-water separator you could kind of use it as a band aid in place of the nitrogen. Wasn't suppose to last real long though.

[LonesomeTriZ]

You are correct Billy. There is not much to them. So I can not understand why I get quotes of $300 and up for a rebiuld. I priced the kit and it is under $40. So what the hell? i know the shaft is a lot more, but even with that I still can not see why it would be that much in labor. Also, compressed air is a good band aid, but I am sick of band aids. I want the ability to do this on my own.

[SYKO]

could you take it to some place like holox or oxegen serivce to get it recharged?

[LonesomeTriZ]

We have Holox where I was living near Tampa. I asked them over the phone about recharging my shocks and I got a lot of attitude and no real answers. So, I still have no idea if a shop like that will do it or not.

[GPracer2500]

Call around, maybe. One of my local ATV tuning shops has a nitrogen tank sitting in the corner. Seems like there's got to be some local shop with a nitrogen tank and without a bad attitude....

BTW, that same local shop quoted me ~$125 parts+labor for an 85' shock.

[LonesomeTriZ]

That is stil al ot of money considering what is involved with the rebiuld. Once I get a press, I know I can do it myself. I just need a walk thorugh to get started. The only shop I found is one of the high priced shops in the area. They are the only one that can refill them, so they cost the most.

[dizasterzrfun69]

What about like a welding shop where they have oxygen and argon and all that? do they carry nitrogen for anything? I know for a fact that if you could get set up and do this cheaper than anywhere else you would have all of my shocks that need rebuilt. I'd love to be able to do it myself as well.

[LonesomeTriZ]

That is what Holox is. I was so annoyed with their attitude I did not bother calling any other welding shops.

[GPracer2500]

I hear ya'. I've got three shocks in my garage that need rebuilt. :(

The OEM 85/86 service manual only covers "servicing" the shock, i.e. replacing the shock fluid and nitrogen. It doesn't cover a complete rebuild with new parts. My 95' CR250R and 02' XR650R service manuals, on the other hand, DO go into the steps for a complete rebuild.

I checked my TRX250R service manual and its guidence is the same as provided in the ATC manual.

This is likely a longshot, but maybe contact RaceTech and see if they have any printed guidence available.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Whis is Racetech?

[GPracer2500]

http://www.race-tech.com/

The only ATC I see they have parts listed for is the ATC200X. But they do have parts for the TRX250R.

[4cylinders]

hey, k&l supply sells a nitrogen filling system, like 400.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Refilling the shock loses its importance if I can not rebiuld it first.

[bassman]

If you need nitrogen, Go to your local paintball store. I gurantee you they have nitrogen tanks. To fill up my nitro tank it cost $5. I have no idea if they can or not, but wouldn't hurt checking it out.

[PWK39]

I have an eric gorr performance handbook that goes into great detail about shock service.The book was like $30.It is for dirt bikes but I bet the procedure is the same.:)

[x.system]

Whis is Racetech?


If anyone is interested, a friend of mine owns a Race Tech service center here in Mi and he does all of my shocks for $60 each for a basic rebuild.

Lonesome, your local Race Tech service center is Dionne Racing, Cape Coral, FL (941) 574-9749. This is suposed to be the best one in Fl acording to Race Tech themselves but you can go to racetech.com to find other service centers in your area. Maybe theres one close enuff where they will show you the basics.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Hmm, Cape Coral is a pretty good distance. I wonder what they would want if I ship my shocks to them. At least that is a start. Thanks for information.

I still can not help bu wonder if any body here has any experiance with them. With all the knowledge on the forum, there as to be some one who has doen this before.

[SeD]

I don't know if you checked ebay but, Item number: 230052439195 ... seems like a pretty good deal.

[LonesomeTriZ]

That may be an alright deal. but what does it have to do with learning how to rebiuld shocks?

[SWIGIN]

the rebuild is easy...just buy the seals and bushings you need and replace them. the hard part is the oil and gas refill, make sure you got no air in the oil and buy a bottle of nitrogen and regulators

[LonesomeTriZ]

What kind of tools are needed?

[SWIGIN]

all i needed was basic everyday tools

most shocks are just held together with clips

[LonesomeTriZ]

I though a press and spanner wrench at least was a must.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Well, this thread did not turn out much. I was hoping for a break down in detail. Has any body here doen any thing like that?

[SYKO]

im with you on this lonesome, it actually raised more q's then answers, I REALLY need to rebuild my R shock, I guese I'm going to try it my self, wish me luck

[Billy Golightly]

Try buying a book on motorcycle suspension is about the only other advice I have...

[LonesomeTriZ]

That is my next choice. I'll have to either find a dealer or wait until I go home again.

[Helidaddy]

Time to revisit this issue again. It's been quite a few years and I'd like to know if anyone has learned anything on this or not. Anyone???

[murfman]

Just call Brian at Simply Suspension. He will rebuild your shock for ~ 50.00 He did my 350X shock and one for my daughter's 300EX (Another 350X shock).

http://www.racestarpublications.com/simplysusp.html

He knows his stuff, worked with Rousch racing and has done a lot of big name dirt oval car guys, and has worked on a Baja 1000 Trophy truck. He is looking to get into the ATV/ATC market.

[captainweezy]

I just had my 350x shock rebuilt by a close friend that has a shop. He does excellent work. Rebuilding shocks is one of his specialtys. If anyone is interested he charges $125(includes labor, oil and nitrogen) plus parts if it needs any. Website is maultechatv.com. Check it out. He also does other racing suspension work as well. Just beacause its maultechATV that doesnt mean he didnt grow up riding atc's.

I know this isnt a do it yourself fix but if you cant find anyone else or the correct tools etc. Here is your answer to getting it rebuilt.

[kawasaki666]

We definetly need some guidence on this subject. Very few parts, and $300 to rebuild or $800 new! Cummon, someone has to have this knowlege they want to share. I have 2 Tecate shocks I would love to rebuild. Putting a Honda shock on my Kawasaki just isn't right! LoL!

[El Camexican]

If you are looking for a local guy that can do it, or show you how to do it, get with your local MX guys, they will take you to their "leader". Some guys even offer tuning workshops for their clients. BTW nitrogen is not a must, it’s just a little better than air. Keep in mind the air we breathe (the same stuff that comes out of your compressor) is almost 80% nitrogen. Note that a lot of shocks can't be rebuilt, so before you start scratching your head make sure you have a shock that was meant to come apart and make sure you remove all the pressure before you open it.