I had the rear shocker set on medium for the last 4000 miles but to give a lift to a 210lb friend I wound the shocker up to high. The bike was on the stand at the time, and there was a fair amount or resistance at the adjuster. I noticed clean oil starting to drip down the spring.
While running its made no difference to the ride, but there is now no resistance at the adjusting handle.
Any ideas as to the cause, and can it be rectified?
PS 3 years old and 14000m
Leaking rear shock absorber
Moderator: Moderators
Pre-load adjuster blow-out!
We recently purchased an Ohlins rear shock from another Roadster member (slightly used) which exhibited the same symptoms. Increasing pre-load produced oil drips with a slight increase in pre-load adjuster knob tension. I just picked up the repaired shock from our local Ohlins' specialist, who had diagnosed the problem as: 1) Kinked and fractured pre-load hose, 2) ruptured seals in the pre-load unit.
Just guessing that the OE Showa rear shock has the same type of pre-load system. If so, unfortunately, the OE Showa rear shock cannot easily be rebuilt as the Ohlins/Penske/Wilburs can.
When you have it diagnosed, We would be interested in the outcome.
Good Luck!!
We recently purchased an Ohlins rear shock from another Roadster member (slightly used) which exhibited the same symptoms. Increasing pre-load produced oil drips with a slight increase in pre-load adjuster knob tension. I just picked up the repaired shock from our local Ohlins' specialist, who had diagnosed the problem as: 1) Kinked and fractured pre-load hose, 2) ruptured seals in the pre-load unit.
Just guessing that the OE Showa rear shock has the same type of pre-load system. If so, unfortunately, the OE Showa rear shock cannot easily be rebuilt as the Ohlins/Penske/Wilburs can.
When you have it diagnosed, We would be interested in the outcome.
Good Luck!!
Jacquie
R1150r in Oregon
R1150r in Oregon
Found the cause
I removed the shock absorber today and found the oil leak is from a hydraulic ring fixed at the top of the shocker body. As oil is forced from the adjuster assembly it forces a piston down to pre-load the spring.I re filled the adjuster reservoir and tried it on the bench. Yo can see the piston assembly extend but oil and bubbles are flowing out.
I think a set of seals from a local hydraulic company will fix it if i can find a way to remove it. I drilled out a locating grub screw and can rotate the assembly on the shocker. Do I need to compress the spring to remove it?
Any ideas.
Its a shame to get rid of the shocker as it still functions. I would not mind keeping it if I can find a way to compress the spring to its mid setting.
I think a set of seals from a local hydraulic company will fix it if i can find a way to remove it. I drilled out a locating grub screw and can rotate the assembly on the shocker. Do I need to compress the spring to remove it?
Any ideas.
Its a shame to get rid of the shocker as it still functions. I would not mind keeping it if I can find a way to compress the spring to its mid setting.
Preload idea
Just had a thought, if I fill the reservoirs with industrial silicon perhaps I can do a one off preload, if the silicon is thick enough perhaps it will not be able to escape past the seals.
It will make a mess on the bike if it blows under load though. I think it takes a few weeks to go hard.
It will make a mess on the bike if it blows under load though. I think it takes a few weeks to go hard.
There's bound to be a suspension rebuilder around your area somewhere. If it's fixable, which it probably is, it'll probably cost less to pay them to fix it then it will to buy a spring compressor and whatever else you need.
DON'T screw around trying to take it apart without the spring compressor.
RB
DON'T screw around trying to take it apart without the spring compressor.
RB