Rear Shock Removal Problem - HELP

[pedwards89]

I'm trying to remove the rear shock to replace it with a lowering shock. Common wisdom seems to be that you just unbolt it top & bottom & it comes out.

Done that. I just can't disengage the bottom end. It 'appears' there is a collar which runs between the bosses, which I'm guessing should slide through the bottom eye. I can't turn or move in any direction the exposed end of the collar. There isn't room on the chain side to punch it back through the bosses.

I'm stuck! Anybody got any ideas?

 

[Jman]

I have never removed one before, but wouldn't the shock need to be compressed before it can be removed? I have removed other types of shocks that needed compression in order to remove. That's my thought on it. Good luck!

 

[pedwards89]

I have never removed one before, but wouldn't the shock need to be compressed before it can be removed? I have removed other types of shocks that needed compression in order to remove. That's my thought on it. Good luck!

When the swinging arm is dropped there is sufficient room to swing the shock out without compressing it. If I could get the bottom end to move you don't even have to lower the swing arm for it to come out.

Thanks anyway.

 

[bleego]

When I did it a small section of the collar was exposed so I was able to pull it out by hand ( slippery bugger though ) maybe something ghetto like rolling up a paper towel, stuffing it in the hole and pull back might get it out far enough for you to grab it by hand.

 

[pedwards89]

When I did it a small section of the collar was exposed so I was able to pull it out by hand ( slippery bugger though ) maybe something ghetto like rolling up a paper towel, stuffing it in the hole and pull back might get it out far enough for you to grab it by hand.

I've got about 10mm (3/8") of the collar sticking out of the boss. But it's seems to be seized solid. I've had a pair of alligator pliers on it trying to either turn or pull it out, but no joy.

But you do appear to have confirmed what I had assumed, that the collar does have to be withdrawn to release the shock. Access is so limited that I cannot see a way to get the bugger out.

 

[bleego]

I've got about 10mm (3/8") of the collar sticking out of the boss. But it's seems to be seized solid. I've had a pair of alligator pliers on it trying to either turn or pull it out, but no joy.

But you do appear to have confirmed what I had assumed, that the collar does have to be withdrawn to release the shock. Access is so limited that I cannot see a way to get the bugger out.

Hrmm, maybe if you have access to a partner trying to see if they can jiggle the rear wheel / swingarm a little bit and see if maybe holding it up slightly might allow you to get it out. But yeah, it goes through the shock. Mine was pretty well lubed but its rather new so that might be it.

Good luck

 

[DefyInertia]

Mine came right out as well.

 

[pedwards89]

Thanks for the help guys. Looks like I'm going to have to hire/buy a bearing puller or similar to pull the sucker out. Even so, I'm going to struggle given the limited access.

 

[DefyInertia]

Craziness...have you examined the microfiche to ensure you understand how it all fits together and comes apart? I hate to see this slow you down as I barely even remember this step (took 10 seconds or so I bet).

You really don't have room to fit your hands in there? Perhaps take the wheel off for the moment?

 

[Hellgate]

Remove the lower bolt, remove the shock, grab the bushing with a pair of pliers and twist and pull. It will come right out.

As we say in the Army, "Reach down and grab 'em!" :justkidding:

 

[pedwards89]

That's what I've been doing, wheel out, grab the collar with pliers, try to withdraw to the right. No dice. It's seized solid.

It's going in for its 12,000 mile service tomorrow. I'll talk to the dealer, see if they've got a puller to get it out.

I know it should be that easy, that's what's relly p****g me off about it.

 

[bleego]

If that doesn't work, an exorcism might be in order. Just spray some holy water based lubricants on the mount area hire some priests.

 

[pint of heavy]

If it makes you feel any better, I have exactly the same problem with my '04. I really don't want to take it to a garage for them to charge me labour that I can do myself. I have tried some freezey stuff on it, rust repellant and WD40 but cannot get the thing to budge with alligator grips.

View attachment 5705

Here is a picture of the collar sticking out of the right hand boss.

I am thinking of taking the swingarm off with the monoshock attached, maybe I can get better leverage, but I cannot get the catalyst pipe assembly seperated from the downpipes to get the swingarm off!

 

[husker]

I think you're all convincing me that the time to replace the shock is soon after you get the bike and not waiting too long.

Not much comfort, but dirt and corrosion seem to be the enemy!

 

[Fred]

Hey guys, I think you're missing something elementary here. Or I am.

Support the swingarm. If you don't have the swingarm supported, then the weight of the swingarm is on that collar. So yeah, it's not going to move very easily.

If you've already got the swingarm supported, then it's time to get a bigger hammer.

 

[bleego]

Hey guys, I think you're missing something elementary here. Or I am.

Support the swingarm. If you don't have the swingarm supported, then the weight of the swingarm is on that collar. So yeah, it's not going to move very easily.

If you've already got the swingarm supported, then it's time to get a bigger hammer.

I mentioned trying that earlier in a post ( having a helper kind of try to lift the rear wheel up slightly and possibly jiggle it to see if it helps anywhere ) But I had no such problem when I had mine on the rear stand.

Now to share a fun story of my stupidity and lack of understanding of swingarms.. I had the new shock in but I couldn't get the bottom points to mount up, I didn't really think about moving the rear wheel / swingarm up at the time, so when I had the rear wheel bolt on and couldn't get the upper mounts to line up, I figured I would do the top ones first, and unbolt the bottom and see if I could get the holes to match up taking it off the rear stand....

I had quite the lowered FZ6 there for a second :rockon:

 

[pint of heavy]

I have attacked it with the upper bolt off with no joy.

I am an all weather rider in Scotland and keep the bike well lubricated but that doesn't include regularly taking the monoshock off! So I think the bike must be suffering a wee bit.

Thanks for all the info though guys - it does help to know I am just not being an idiot and others are having the same problem, I'd love to know how the garage is going to get the bloody thing off!

 

[DefyInertia]

I feel bad for you guys...this would drive me nutz...dang little piece of metal getting the best of you!

All I can do now is cheer you on :cheer: Good luck

I am thinking of taking the swingarm off with the monoshock attached, maybe I can get better leverage, but I cannot get the catalyst pipe assembly seperated from the downpipes to get the swingarm off!

Slip the exhaust muffler off to give yourself the room to do so...only takes a few bolts and 10 minutes or so.

 

[pedwards89]

If it makes you feel any better, I have exactly the same problem with my '04. I really don't want to take it to a garage for them to charge me labour that I can do myself. I have tried some freezey stuff on it, rust repellant and WD40 but cannot get the thing to budge with alligator grips.

View attachment 5705

Here is a picture of the collar sticking out of the right hand boss.

I am thinking of taking the swingarm off with the monoshock attached, maybe I can get better leverage, but I cannot get the catalyst pipe assembly seperated from the downpipes to get the swingarm off!

Yep, that's the bugger.

Had the bike serviced Thursday, asked if they could move it. Report comes back that it was tight, but they've removed, greased & replaced it. It wasn't until I got the bike home I realised all they had done was remove the 'kin bolt & greased that & put it back.

The only solution I can see now, is some sort of specialist puller

 

[pedwards89]

Hey guys, I think you're missing something elementary here. Or I am.

Support the swingarm. If you don't have the swingarm supported, then the weight of the swingarm is on that collar. So yeah, it's not going to move very easily.

If you've already got the swingarm supported, then it's time to get a bigger hammer.

Had a jack under the swinging arm. Released the top bolt, no trouble. So now the shock is unloaded, still can't move the collar.

Unfortunately, due to the design a bigger hammer just won't do it. Although I have been tempted!