How To Rebuild a Motorcycle Shock 

Hi Rocky MTN. I got my parts this afternoon for my 2016 YZ 250. I had a badly leaking rear seal so a service was necessary. I had the shock off and sitting on my work bench until the specialty tools and parts arrived. I took my time, followed this video step by step in my garage and about 1 to 1.5 hrs later I was done. I will get the nitrogen in the next couple days then I can slap it back into my bike. I really appreciate your time making this video to help me learn my bike better and save some serious cash. Great job!!!

Thank you for the video! I'm rebuilding my yz426f rear shock and forks with stronger springs so I can do bigger jumps and not bottom out, and they needed new soft parts anyway. This was my first shock rebuild so I have a few words of advice for others to avoid my mistakes, which can be seen in a soon to be posted video: 1. I'd recommend going ahead and removing the valve stem first thing, it makes the step of pushing the seal down easier so you don't have to worry about building pressure. 2. The Bladder is attached to the bladder cap; I used air to press the cap out and it popped out and didn't realize there were supposed to be attached. 3. Don't neglect to remove the peening from the top of the bolt. I tried to simply use an impact and destroyed the threads. I repaired them with a m12-175 die but I couldn't get 30 ft-lbs on those threads so I got as much as I could and welded the nut on cause I can't get a replacement fast enough for my trip! 4. A battery powered inflator or 12v car inflator works well for putting pressure on the bladder. 5. Don't get the bump stop and Seal cover placed wrong way around! I accidentally did. I wasn't about to remove the piston again (and couldn't have disassembled it anyway cause of welding the nut on) so used a hot knife to cut the bump stop off and re-attach it back in the correct place. It isn't pretty but should work and I'll still be able to ride in 2 days!

What a great editorial!!! Very thorough! These boys have saved the day for me and taught me heaps so many times now!!! Thank you so much!! 👍

Excellent video! Thank you for convincing me to sell this dirt bike lol I literally put the forks back on this morning, now the rear shock has a leak. Like a puddle. I think it got jealous of the fronts getting rebuilt. What a process! Its a 2006 RM85 that I'm working on. Im counting on the rear shock to be a little more, Chinese, than the one you've rebuilt here, and thus, maybe simpler to dissect.

This method of filling and bleeding is sooo much easier then using the compression adjuster port as shown in another video. This was fast and easy!! Thanks!!

THANK YOU!! Clear, organized, complete, and totally well done. Thanks for taking time to put this together and help out a lot of people!

That was one of the best videos I have ever saw. Everything was clear, well thought out and all camera angles were correct to show exactly what was being talked about as each part was described. I think a person who has never held a wrench in their hand could have a good chance with that video. Very well done.

great instructional video. Amazing how the internet has made things that used to intimidating very doable. Thanks RM. Ive been ordering a lot of tools and parts lately from you and they get here quick. BRAAAP on

Very cool to see this process! I was briefly an assembly worker at Fox Shocks, so some of this looks familiar. Now to rebuild some shocks!

Dude! thanks for the comprehensive how it’s done... 👍🙂

hi from the UK. just used this video to help replace the seal on a kyb shock off my klx 250. really easy to follow with no rushing through. rebuilt and back on the trails. thankyou Rocky Mountain. Nick.

You guys are awesome and your videos are very helpful! Just did my shock with help from this video and it came out great!

great tutorial. its nice to see people taking their work seriously :)

Didn't see you inspect the shim pack for bent shims, also nice new nut on the shaft for the re assembly. The bleeding is another area where most guys will fail. The addition of the nitrogen is actually the easiest part.

Here in 2021, Excellent video, Gives me a new faith in Mankind in General, People can be Generous with their knowledge and share with the rest of the public...then others can be the opposite of Generous. Rocky Mountain ATV are the best of the best. 5 STARS in parts and service.

Lol, everything always works perfectly in the videos, but meanwhile here in the real world.. Shove the seal head down with the tool, but as soon as I stop pressing down, it pops right back up again. Same for the bladder cap. Valve core is out of the bladder so that's not the problem. Take it to a friend's shop tomorrow and lock it down in a vise so maybe I can press down with one hand and pry the lock ring out with the other..

hello, Thank you for awesome video. However, I have few questions for you. 1. how do you remove 2013 Kawasaki KX450f rear shock reservoir cap, since it uses a needle to fill in gas, and nothing to grab on to pull to bring it out? 2. When you inserting the seal housing in to the oil, doesn't """some air"" gets trapped under it? 3. Should you drill a small hole on the side of the seal housing below the large outside O-Ring to get that air out, to remove as much as air possible? 4. if small amt of air gets trapped inside the shock from seal housing installation , will that cuz a problem? (Or any air in general) 5. do you have a recommended Suspension Setting(front and rear)and Oil Height on the front forks for 2013 KX45F, AND oil "viscosity" used on front and rear fork and shock? thank you very much for all you help and time making this video.

wow what an excellent video tutorial for a pretty challenging rebuild task...i needed this back in 2005 though

Of course. Clips are out...I ended up using compressed air from the reservoir side and it still took some doing. I've done a few shock rebuilds and they rarely come apart easily.

Life saver! Excellent video, especially the mystery if the Showa shock collar removal!

Thank you for an excellent video, it explained everything perfectly, regards Doc Cox.

Wow I just read a few of the other comments. Seems like Im not alone in my thoughts. really nothing more to say. I do believe it has all been said. Props to you guys.. !!

I want to see this done on a reservoir that's 20 years old. This is nice and clean so it's going to be easy

Wow, I think id rather pay someone to do this. And I'm usually all for saving money by doing it myself lol

Older video I know, but will def help when I do my 16 250X soon! Thanks

I bought a shock bushing for this job. But didnt realize I should have bought some sort of driver also to get the old out and new in 🥶

oh god I could just imagine how long my bike would be in pieces if i attempted this

Excellent presentation. The only thing I would question is why the shock bumper wasn't replaced while everything was taken apart. Those bumpers will age and split over time, which is what mine did. They're not that expensive to change and that one in the video looked rather old. Otherwise it's an excellent tutorial. I used it step by step to change out my bumper.

This is why Evo idaho is a gangster and makes the big bucks!!!!

Very informative video even if this is too advanced for me right now. it's still cool to watch!

You all rock! Thanks for the instruction!!!

I love these videos, You guys make it look so easy a caveman could do it!

Excellent Vid. appreciate it alot. commenting to keep it alive!

What kind of oil do you recommend

Thanks Rocky Mountain ATV MC! Really do not need the annoying music, distracts from the video.

Hello!! I work at showa building these shocks, thought id see someone elses take

When I was disassembling mine, while unthreading the piston nut, the shock shaft unthreaded from the yoke/clevis/bottom piece instead. Rebound clicker was backed out all the way so I just impacted it back in there. Hopefully it's fine.

Hiya from the UK! Thanks for these videos you guys have made, they make life so much easier when you see how stuff is put together! You've saved me so many times from making mistakes 😂

3 sub-frame bolts and loosen the carb boot, to remove the sub-frame with the seat, air-box and rear exhaust system in one piece, (and just as easy to put back on). No need to remove the tank. This is why the sub frame was developed over 30 years ago.

Superb!!! It's really awesome video and fully helpful.

be great see video on wps shock

it's superb and great to learn when see the video

Doesn't look too terrible. My swingarm bearing went out today so I'm going to re do everything. Already had to do the forks but those are cake.

Thanks for the video, it is very informative, but I have a couple questions. Won't the punch marks between the nut and shaft cause damage to the nut the next time you try to remove it? Will the high strength thread locker require heating before nut can be removed, and if so, could the heat damage any of the shock components?

hello thank you very much for the good work. I live in Brazil and have nothing on the gsx750f 2006. shock absorber. You would have any video on this motorcycle. mine leaked the gas and a little oil in the coupling of the hose.

Fantastic job.... 💐

I find this very helpful! thank you

How do you loosen one with a manual knob? I cant find any information about how to do this. Im stuck trying to figure out how to loosen the damn thing.

Any tips on depressing a stuck sealhead on a soqi shock? Ive already tried a hammer and a punch and the racetech tool with no luck.

My ring nut is stuck that's on top of spring used oil to try free iy top one is free now but the spring don't move along with the nut so it's stuck

Video muito bom e instrutivo

so i did like you said pull the stack with the flat screw driver, everything was great. I forget what happen but the stack was laying on my bench and someone was using a hammer so my stack fell off the flat screw driver. Now I have no idea how to put it back together. I did the best i could, and when I did, my dials don't work properly. Any advice, I'm going to remove it again from the bike and do this all over again. IF it matters its a 2004 rm125

Just wanted to say thanks for the video! With the amount of tools I have, it was not a daunting task, but I like being informed ahead of time. With your help, I pulled the shock apart no problem, and was able to easily put it together. With another friend's help, I was able to take very detailed measurements of the valve piston and all the shims and revalve it. Can't wait to have my shock charged with nitrogen and try it out. DRZ400SM for reference. Thanks again!

Nice vid, thanks!

Great video. Took you advice and visited you web site to purchace a shock rebuild kit. Looked up my bike and was disappointed that this "huge range" you bragged about turned out to be pathetic. Fork seals nothing more nothing less. Thanks for the false hope.

How hard would it be to put a spacer in there to drop the bike

The video is a tremendous help. Thanks! One question, how do you swap out the copper looking bushing that rides on the outside of the piece that sits between the groups of valve shims. I got the pivot works kit so I have a replacement bushing but it's not split like the fork bushings. 2016 YZ250. Thanks!!

Hi there. I have a ohlins shock . The shaft has the rebound needle inside of it . The shock has a plastic nut to adjust it manually but the needle get stuck in the up position and when I turn the nut to make the needle go down , the nut stop clicking because it get stuck in the up position. Do you know if this is normal ? Or what can I do ? The problem start whit oil leaking. Now I'm thinking it was leaking from the adjust nut because retainers and seals look good for me . Thanks

How often do shocks (front and rear) need to be serviced for the average woods/trail rider? Thanks.

long way from wooden coaches we rode barely a century ago...

I have a question related to the website. i had free shipping on orders over $50 on my account and now it is gone. i just wanted to know why but great video lots of help.

would wt10 fork oil would be right for my 2009 wr450f?

Can i use compressed air insted of nitrogen? Thanks?

Hi Guys! Great video, it helps me a lot! I am currently rebuildig a Yamaha YZ 250C from 1975. Do you have any idea which oil i should use? Or who I cpuld ask. Any help is aprechiated! Thanks a lot!

My son's 2011 KX250F has Factory Connection setup with remote Nitrogen chamber. Is the process the same? Shock puked its oil and needs a reseal. Thx

That nut you grounded down looked diff after you took it off

Hi, I have pulsar 220 in my bike while turn right or left side the center stand hits the road and making a voice can you suggest me how to resolve it.i think 220 has very low ground clearance and maintaining the air pressure in front tyre 30 and back tyre 40. please let me know ur suggestions Thanks in Advance!

hi do u have parts to fix leaking Bronco shocks?

What bullet cap would I need for rebuilding showa shocks on crf450r/crf450x? Specifically model years 2010+?

Question: The main shaft assembly of my CR250 shock (Showa) doesn't come out as easily as in the video. I've tried wiggling it out and tried pushing compressed air thru the reservoir with the compression backed all the way...and still it won't come out. Any suggestions...?

How often should you service your shock?

Sir. Can i use normel air with out nitrogen

How much shock oil does it generally require?

Is there a video for KYB?

How often should a rear shock be rebuilt and or fluid changed?

Excelente Tutorial!!!!!!!!!

What's the best way to fill a kyb shock for a 2011 yz450 where the reservoir is 90 degrees from the shock body and not parallel like in the video? Do you use a vented plug for the body while filling the reservoir?

How long can bleeding take? I have blisters and still see bubbles :(

is it really necessary to use that much oil when pushing the bladder back in? I don't want to make a huge mess all over my vise and floor.

what torque did you tighten piston nut to pls

My rear shock on yz125 rear shock is squeaky does that mean it’s bad?

Is this the same procedure with a 1989 lt500 rear shock?

Hi, nice informative video. I have a question my shock had no oil in it when removing.

Can the 2001 YZ 125 stock monoshock be repaired?

Good afternoon, this is the same procedure for the suspension of YZ250F 2008? Thanks!

i want to repair my rear shocks.... but i guess id better get a new one

Checked the OEM parts guide (1997 YZ125) and I cannot find the replacement nut for the shock shaft. I ordered an All Balls seal replacement kit from RM and one was not included. Do you know where I can get a replacement nut? Also, is the nut used from OEM of specific metal/ compound? Last question; on the next rebuild would you have to grind the new replacement nut down again to remove? Thanks in advance- love the videos.

SOO HELPFULL

you need to be more specific about the grinding aspect, what's too far? and how do you know that a new nut is going to fit perfectly?

Anybody know where to get the seal kit for an 87 KDX200? And any tips would be much appreciated

Please do a wp pds shock rebuild

how do i install the bladder if my reservoir is sideways?

I jumped a 32 ft high jump and my suspension fill out for me so I skipped the removal part

this might be a stupid question but if its a nitrogen filled bladder, is it ok to use normall air? and if i want to pump mine up can would it be ok to have a air/nitrogen mix?

I know this might be a dumb question but do you have to refill it with nitrogen air??

Hello friend, needs to actually use gás? I can not use compressed air?

Que buenos mecánicos son geniales no batiadores

nice video..very pro

Can i use TWENTY tools?

hi guys on your website it shows that there is a circlip next to the Rear Shock Seal Head. just wonder what that is for thanks