can i replace ESA front shock with a standard?

[Northern Monkey]

Can i replace the front ESA shock with a standard one? would it stop the back one working? do i need to replace both? or do i just unplug and replace?

any help as always is appreciated.

PS its a 2006 RT and the front seems to be stuck in 'sports' mode as its rock hard.

 

[bisbee]

No reason why you can't imho (cant answer the front and back thing though) Maybe get something that can be rebuilt and obviously get the correct spring for you too It's probably best to swap both like it was an option from new iykwim

 

[Northern Monkey]

thanks, if i got a used esa shock would it just work when plugged in or would it need to be programmed and the like? 'twas much simpler before everything had wires

 

[bisbee]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QgwYuTUTynI" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

This may be of interest

 

[Bendy toy]

I have standard GS shocks on an ESA GSA. The original ESA units are waiting rebuild. The GS shocks I obtained were identical length to the GSA shocks but we are told they should be shorter. The GS shocks feel stiff and under damped. But turn up the damping (rear only) and it just feels stiff.

I have missed the ESA and its more compliant units so if you are not using the bike every day, having the shocks rebuilt would be a better option.

BTW, to an owner with ESA 1 that's one scary video.

 

[oldnfat]

£130 for a rebuild of existing shock with better components would be my option if you can do without th bike for a few days.

 

[AustinW]

Can i replace the front ESA shock with a standard one? would it stop the back one working? do i need to replace both? or do i just unplug and replace?

any help as always is appreciated.

PS its a 2006 RT and the front seems to be stuck in 'sports' mode as its rock hard.

On my 2011 GSA (ESA similar in concept but not necessarily the same) I had a fault on the front ESA preload sensor. I while the fault persisted I couldn't get the preload to operate on either shock. Disconnecting the front preload and damping motors did not allow the rear ESA to operate. No warning lights come up, though it does record a fault in the ECU.

A simple test would be to just disconnect the front shock now and see if you can still adjust the rear shock. If you can - happy days. If not then you could replace both shocks with non-ESA. The sale of a working rear ESA shock would probably cover the cost of two non-ESA shocks.

If the shocks are the same or similar to the GS one's, then there are two motors - an electrical one at the top for preload, and a stepper motor at the bottom for damping. It sounds like your damping motor is stuck - is there a fault code? A GS911 can be used to cycle the motors through their ranges and reset everything. The motors can be replaced although it may need some specialist equipment to de-gas and compress the shock (it does on my bike's OEM white power shocks). If it all needs rebuilding these guys may be able to repair or rebuild - https://www.esarepair.com. They were keen to help me (I just emailed them in English), but I obtained a used shock from a member here and had the motors from that built onto Wilbers shocks.

Good luck with it all.


Oh, and I am not far from you - Garstang.

Edit...just watched the video. I think some of your answers and options are in there. My link above is to Tractive - who invented ESA and made your OEM shocks so they should be able to rebuild and replace any corroded parts.

 

[Northern Monkey]

Cheers , my rt doesn’t have any preload adjustments- the rear appears to be working fine - a rebuild is looking favourite.

I’ve got a ‘full’ 911 tool that allows me to read codes and clear codes but I have no spare ‘vins’ to do any suspension testing *