Riding a full susser you will soon come to live with the fact that the rear shock bushes will wear. Do not be too concerned as they have been designed to do so. They are relatively easy to change and save wear on expensive parts i.e. your frame. When they are gone you will start to notice a niggling rattle when riding over rough surfaces. A visible check is a sure-fire way to determine the problem. To do this, simply gently lift the rear end of the bike using the saddle whilst watching the eyes of the shock. If you see some movement then it's time to replace.

Time taken: 30min

Difficulty Rating:

Tools Required

Vice, Hex key and spanner to suit mounting bolts, a suitable sized socket and a hammer.

Step one: Remove rear shock completely from bike. Take care to note the position of your bolt fixings as most full sussers have various positions to allow for head angle/travel adjustment.

Step two: Clamp shock in a vice (take care not to overtighten or damage)
Remove the two outer spacing bushes and place to one side.
Use a suitable sized socket i.e. one that is smaller than the eye of the shock, but large enough to catch the lip of the bush. A gentle tap with a light hammer should be enough to dislodge the old bush

Step three: Whilst you have the bushes removed, give the shock a clean with a rag.
Place the bush on the edge of the eye. Use the vice to gently press bush until flush either side. Take care to make sure the bush is pressed in square and even.
Repeat this procedure for the other eye bush.

 

 

 

Step Four: Remember to refit spacer bushes to either side of the eye.
Refit shock to bike taking care to refit all washers in correct places. Ensure that the bolts are torque to the manufacturer's guidelines.