froggy47

I need to up the game on my shock pkg. But I'm not willing to shell out an additional $800 or so annually to have a race shop rebuild them.

It seems to me that if the shock is built to be rebuildable (mainly seals, oil, gas) that's something I can do with a few special tools.

Please post only if you actually do this or if you are a shop who provides this service & want to offer some info.

Possible or fugeddaboutit (RIP Tony S.)?

Bicyclewrench

I'm not sure how applicable this is, but I routinely service my mountainbike suspension on my own. I think your big issue would be the special tooling usually involved and the lack of assurance you'd have with a shock dyno. It can be challenging to fully bleed sealed systems and recharge nitrogen. Again bicycle suspension but very sophisticated bicycle suspension.

froggy47

Do you have a shock dyno for your mountain bike shocks?

Is it necessary to dyno a shock every time it's rebuilt?

Bicyclewrench

Disclaimer: I am a bicycle tech. My experience with auto suspension is limited.

A shock dyno can give you the assurance that it was done correctly and give tuning reference information. A small air bubble or a tiny piece of debris can effect damping in ways that would be really hard to diagnose from the cockpit of a car. I've never had access to a shock dyno but keep in mind it also takes a lot longer to remove a shock from a car than a bicycle if you do find you've done it wrong. That having been said if the manufacturer supports end user servicing and is will to make information and tooling available I'd probably go for it. I recommend a "clean room" style environment that's VERY well it and has no cracks and crevices to loose tiny little parts. White surfaces are your friend. Nothing like loosing a tiny little cir-clip to take an entire shock out of service til you can get another. Don't ask how I know.

froggy47

Thanks,

Good information.

fatbillybob

I just had 4 motons rebuilt and I know your financial pain. I always wanted to build a shock dyno. I'm also in so cal. I got tools, welders, plasma cutter how hard could it be? No one will tell me how to bleed remote canister shocks. I could probably figure it out if I had an exploded diagram. Nitrogen is no problem I use that trackside and at work. It can't be all that hard especially if really replacing seals and no revalving. I think the real know how would be in how to design the valving based on wheel rates, motion ratios, corner weights etc...

froggy47

We are on the same page. It really can't be that big a deal to rebuild a shock. It seems to me if you already have a shock that's "dialed in" and just need to freshen it up you really don't need a dyno. Am I wrong?

Bicyclewrench

Assemble it in a full oil bath.

froggy47

Please explain, why?

It's topped off with gas anyway, isn't it?

drivinhard

I have done a two day shock class at Penske shocks (something that's offered to anybody, but few know about) It's not that hard to rebuild them.

They are one of the few high end shocks (or any shocks) that are owner rebuildable

naschmitz

http://www.penskeshocks.com/files/Adjustable_Manual.pdf

This has exploded diagrams, rebuild info, etc. You can probably find similar for the Motons somewhere.

rbl

Why do you think they need a rebuild annually in the first place?

I ran mine 4 years with no difficulty and put one hell of allot of track time on them .... working just fine.

fatbillybob

Awesome! I will look into that.

fatbillybob

Froggy,

I put an email out to penske to see about shock rebuilding classes. I'll post back info here or PM you. We are both in socal and perhaps we get lucky and classes could be here. If not Penske is in PA.. Sounds like maybe a cheap fly on southwest for some lessons and philly cheesesteak!

fatbillybob

Also as a sidenote I'm sure if we had classes we would learn about oil viscosities and nitrogen pressures but until then...

anyone know how much the dampening (spring rate change) changes per 50lb increments of nitrogen? In fact I don't even know how much I can put in. My factory motons from performance shock came back rebuilt with 180lbs. I think the range might be 100-300.

froggy47

Thanks for the posts guys, I am really surprised that more people don't rebuild these on the forum. Especially since the mfg does seem to support the idea.

If I end up with them I am going to have fun doing a video on how to.

Bet there is none on yt yet.