Rear Shock

[flintstone]

Hi,
How easy is it to remove the spring from the rear shock ?

The reason I ask this question is that an MOT tester put an advisory on the MOT that the spring was corroded. All it was where some paint had come off and there was a little surface rust on the spring. I want to rub down and re-spray the spring, so that I can have an advisory free MOT and maybe sell the bike with the same.

[HolerTogni]

Hi flintstone!

I assume you have not done such a work so far on any other spring, did you.

So I further assume you haven't got the right tools (i.e., spring compressors) for it, either.

If my assumptions are not correct then forget the following (but then I wonder why you are asking this question).

With the proper tools (see above) it's a standard work.

However, without them and just for removing the surface corrosion (before selling it), I would recommend to just disassemble the rear shock and do the job as good as possible.

Or get a second hand rear shock in better condition and sell yours.

Trying to give realistic advice greets from Munich!

[flintstone]

I have taken many car units apart using spring compressors, but never a monoshock. I was just wondering if the end just unscrews as it would be logical ?

[dicky]

You need spring compressors that will fit the bike spring.
Most car type compressors will not fit.
It is definitely easier and safer to do this with a proper fork type compressor and not the shitty screw types that come off and take pieces of you with them.
Measure and record the installed spring length from the retaining cap to the preload nut so that you can put it back together in the right place.
Back the preload nuts right off.
Compress the spring until you can get the retaining cap off.
I can't remember exactly how the retaining cap is held in place in the TRX, maybe you can tell me when you've done it.
Once the retaining cap is off the spring should come out.
Rinse, repeat, wipe hands on pants.

[flintstone]

Thanks for the advice but my shock does not have a preload nut just a collar.

[dicky]

So it does, I was thinking of the wrong bike.
For the TRX, back the collar off as far as it will go to release as much of the spring pressure as possible.
It's probably easier to do this with the shock still bolted to the bike.
With most of the spring pressure removed, use compressors until you can release the retaining cap.
The cap is at the opposite end to the preload collar, and it has a slot in it so that when it becomes loose you can slide it out and the spring can be removed over the end of the piston shaft. Pic is an example.

Spring retaining cap.jpg

[flintstone]

Thanks very much for the info, I know what to expect now.