Ohlins shock - changing the spring

[Two wheels good]

Hi

Is the removal of the spring a straight-forward DIY job? - assuming I get suitable spring compressor.

The space around the spring is limited. I will consider this when choosing the spring compressors

Thanks
David

 

[cookie]

i think you'll find it tricky without one of these.

 

[Two wheels good]

Hi
Thanks for the reply. I've seen that impressive piece of kit but I'm not convinced it's essential. Have you tried it?

David

 

[Thunder]

Your taking a serious risk trying to remove the spring without the correct equipment, if it's not something you intend doing on a regular basis it would be far more cost effective to take the shock to a suspension specialist and have it done there.

 

[Nasty1]

Hi

Is the removal of the spring a straight-forward DIY job? - assuming I get suitable spring compressor.

The space around the spring is limited. I will consider this when choosing the spring compressors

Thanks
David

I am presuming that the ohlins unit has the two castellated nuts for pre-load adjustment? If so then normally all you need to do is is remove all the tension from the spring on these and the spring just goes loose. Once you have then figured out how the actual spring is retained by its end cup the whole lot should fall to bits....no spring compressor needed. I have never had to use spring compressors on a pucker Ohlins or WP shock before.

Measure the length of the spring before you start the job so that you know what your pre-load was when you come to put it back together.

Hope this helps

Adie

 

[Two wheels good]

Thanks Adie
Mine has remote pre-load adjuster.
I think i need to compress the spring so that the "pre-load adjuster head" (my term) sitting on top of the spring can slide downwards and disengage from the the very slim, large nut holding it all in place.

I say "disengage" cos there's a pin on the "pre-load adjuster head" which engages\locks the slim holding nut. (a photo would be useful!)

I'll let you know how I get on
David

 

[cookie]

Thanks Adie
Mine has remote pre-load adjuster.
I think i need to compress the spring so that the "pre-load adjuster head" (my term) sitting on top of the spring can slide downwards and disengage from the the very slim, large nut holding it all in place.

I say "disengage" cos there's a pin on the "pre-load adjuster head" which engages\locks the slim holding nut. (a photo would be useful!)

I'll let you know how I get on
David

yes, that was my thinking when i looked at the unit too.

not used the proper tool, but doubted that a normal spring compressor will work as the coils are pretty close together & looks like it needs a fair bit of compression.
i reckon the coil paint will get a goring at minimum.

 

[Nasty1]

Ah...its all this modern remote stuff My experience in the past has been with rebuilding MX stuff. Sorry I could not help more.

Adie

 

[Two wheels good]

Ohlins spring removal

Hi

I finally got a suitable spring compressor and released the spring tension.
(It had to be compressed quite a bit , almost 2cm , to clear the lock pin on the pre-load adjuster.)

But how to remove the spring? It doesn't look like the base\foot of the shock is removeable. It seems to me the head of shock needs to be removed. Can anyone confirm this is correct method - and any suggestions how to get a purchase on body of the shock ?

Should the 13mm nut and cross-head screw be removed?

Thanks

David
PS Yes it would have been easier to let the professional do it but where to find one locally..

 

[Nasty1]

Hi

I finally got a suitable spring compressor and released the spring tension.
(It had to be compressed quite a bit , almost 2cm , to clear the lock pin on the pre-load adjuster.)

But how to remove the spring? It doesn't look like the base\foot of the shock is removeable. It seems to me the head of shock needs to be removed. Can anyone confirm this is correct method - and any suggestions how to get a purchase on body of the shock ?

Should the 13mm nut and cross-head screw be removed?

Thanks

David
PS Yes it would have been easier to let the professional do it but where to find one locally..

That looks like the 'Compression damping' adjuster and you do not want to remove that. There is a suspension place in/around Wiltsure... M+H Raceing I think. A phone call and he may offer some advice.

http://www.mhracing.com/

HTH

Adie

 

[cookie]

does the lower collar not have a slot in it a bit like this?

 

[Two wheels good]

ohlins

Cookie
Yes, my shock has a similar cut-out on the base. (Are you going to surprise by saying the bottom section is removed?)

Looking fwd to your response.

D

 

[Grizzly]

Give Up - Your Lost!!!

David ( Two Wheels Good), I think you've now convinced me that you should have given the job to Harris .
As Cookie says. I think the bottom collar should tap off of it's corroded seat and slip off?. - but if you dont know or can't figure it out without removing any old nut or screw you spot, should you be doing this
I have done everything on my bike, apart from the 600mile service, all servicing & bigger jobs - now over 80K, but when my rear Ohlin needed uprated I sent it to Harris. They fitted the correct spring, re-shimmed the damping to suit, put in new oil and a new piston ring/seal, it cost about £90/£100 - can't remember, - and I think in your case you should have done the same - your shock looks well used, so is probably badly in need of an internal overhaul and then the damping would also match the spring.
I've said enough I think

Cheers.....................Grizzly

 

[BAKERMAN]

That looks like the 'Compression damping' adjuster and you do not want to remove that. There is a suspension place in/around Wiltsure... M+H Raceing I think. A phone call and he may offer some advice.

http://www.mhracing.com/

HTH

Adie

A good friend, is Mr Mark Hammond, TOPBLOKE the best, had 3 bikes done by him BACK and FRONT on all, one only last week !

If your not carefull you maybe told to FECK OFF, just go to him in the first place and stick to what work you know !!!!!

 

[cookie]

Cookie
Yes, my shock has a similar cut-out on the base. (Are you going to surprise by saying the bottom section is removed?)

Looking fwd to your response.

D

you compress the spring, allowing you to lift the collar, then slide it off the rod using the slot. spring is then removed over the damping adjuster wheel.

 

[Steptoe]

Stuff doing it yourself.

I get my ohlins re-oiled and sealed for £50, and with a years guarantee .

.

 

[Two wheels good]

ohlins

Thanks for the hint Cookie
Once I took a closer look it all seemed so easy last night - and I'm feeling just a bit disappointed with my problem solving skills.

Dear Grizzly
The whole point of my post was that I had no intention of "removing any old screw". I was well aware that the screw was not a damping adjustment.
Congratulations on your long and successful record of motorcycle maintenance.

Apart from my own curiousity and the wish to save workshop and postage costs, I didn't want to use Harris because this shock had been overhauled a year ago but the spring had been changed and was too hard.
Now I'm pleased to say I've completed the job despite all the nae sayers.

David

 

[Grizzly]

Glad You've Succeded.

David,
I'm glad you've finally got the spring off

Congratulations on your long and successful record of motorcycle maintenance

I can assure you David "congratulations" is neither neccessary OR deserved - I have had my "moments" like most of us. I only said that to indicate that although I have a go at anything normally, I'd draw the line at this job because only changing the spring without damping shim changes is probably only doing HALF the job, plus you did seem to be struggling with the spring a long time. It was only honest advice from where I was looking - NOT a dig at you!
All the works race teams etc have the best technicians around? - but they still use Ohlins and/or Harris etc to work on their shocks - even at the actual GP's/races themselves. There it sound reasoning for this - it's a bit of a "science" all of it's own.

Anyway, all the best, happy riding,

Cheers.....................Grizzly

 

[keepemall]

can i get mine sorted for this price

Stuff doing it yourself.

I get my ohlins re-oiled and sealed for £50, and with a years guarantee .

.

hi steptoe can i get my 1150 gs rear ohlin sorted for this price or is that a trade price only cheers bill

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Maybe a couple of years ago