Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

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robkdx
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Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by robkdx »

Im rear shock is weeping a little oil. Air they hard to rebuild?
Enduro_Mayhem
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Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by Enduro_Mayhem »

Personally, I'd give the DIY option a wide-berth as far as shocks are concerned.

Farm the job out to a reputable specialist, who will be able to refurb/rebuild to your exact requirements and personal preferences (riding style, body weight, etc).
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adam728
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by adam728 »

The answer is no, they are not hard to rebuild. Find one of the many write ups online for dirt bike shocks, get a nice clean work area organized and ready, and have at it. There is nothing magicaln or frightening inside a shock.

Now if you are wanting to do a revalve and are picky, get ready for a lot of trial and error. Thats where the experts know-how and experiance really becones worth some money!

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KDXrider1989
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by KDXrider1989 »

you can rebuild one with basic hand tools. you'll need to take it to a suspension specialist to have it recharged with nitrogen
jerry malbeck
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by jerry malbeck »

If you have a heavy equipt place nearby they will have nitrogen bottle and can charge it for you , Or most farms use nitro also .
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adam728
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by adam728 »

It is also possible to use a mointain bike shock pump to fill it. Not quite as ideal due to himidity in the air, but works plenty well enough for many.

I started doing it when we lived 2 hrs from the closest shop that did nitrogen fills, and I was revalving quite often.

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adam728
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by adam728 »

jerry malbeck wrote:If you have a heavy equipt place nearby they will have nitrogen bottle and can charge it for you , Or most farms use nitro also .
But they need a zero loss chuck to do set the pressure properly.

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bufftester
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by bufftester »

Easy to rebuild, easy to fine tune (but time consuming). My local shop mechanic refills mine for a fiver if I catch him before lunch!
robkdx
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by robkdx »

bufftester wrote:Easy to rebuild, easy to fine tune (but time consuming). My local shop mechanic refills mine for a fiver if I catch him before lunch!
To be fair Im not that good of a rider. So it feels fine to me just needs a stronger spring. Do they normally need re-valving?
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bufftester
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by bufftester »

Nope, for a new rider the most important thing is to get the front and rear ends sprung correctly for your weight. That will make more difference immediately for you than digging into valving and fine tuning. The KDX is unbalanced in stock trim, so correct springing will make a world of difference. Changing springs is easy, and relatively cheap.
robkdx
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Re: Is a rear shock hard to rebuild?

Post by robkdx »

Im just over 220lb, racetech site reckons im a 5.6 spring. That sound right?
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