18
Servicing Your Shocks
From time to time you should check your shocks for adequate
fluid. If the fluid is low, or it is getting dirty, you should change
the fluid in the shocks. You may also want to change the shock
fluid and or the pistons to better address the conditions you
are running on. Regardless of what the reason you will want
to follow these simple steps to service, refill, and bleed your
Ten-T shocks. Note that if you are cleaning or changing the fluid
you will find the LOSA99217 Nitrotec
™
Spray Cleaner to be the
quickest and easiest way to remove oil fluid and dirt safely.
1. If you are changing the pistons, clean the threads on
the end of the shock shaft and apply thread locker
(LOSA99202) to the threads.
2. Install the small shock piston washer and shock piston
using the 4-40 mini lock nut on the shock shaft to secure
them.
3. Put a drop of shock fluid on the shaft before replacing it in
the shock body.
4. If you are changing the shock end use the shock tool
provided with the Ten-T to hold the shaft. You will see that
this plastic tool has serrations on both sides that allow you
to hold it with a pair of pliers and not scratch up the micro
finished surface. This method works very well to protect
the shock shafts from damage.
5. After installing, make sure the shaft is fully extended when
filling the shock.
6. Fill the shock body with 30–35-weight shock fluid until it is
to the top of the Body.
7. Work the shock shaft up and down a few times. This will
release the air bubbles trapped beneath the piston.
8. Place the filled shock, in the upright position, off to the
side for a few minutes until the air bubbles escape from
the fluid.
9. Once all the air bubbles are out of the fluid, gently place
the shock bladder onto the top of the shock. Some fluid
will “bleed” from around the bladder.
10. Screw the shock cap onto the body until a little resistance
is felt.
11. Slowly push the shock shaft up. This will allow excess fluid
to bleed out.
12. Tighten the cap all the way down using the shock tools
included in your kit.
13. Move the shock shaft up and down. The shaft should be
easy to push up into the body of the shock.
14. If increased pressure is felt towards the top, there is too
much oil in the shock. Loosen the shock cap and bleed the
shock as done in steps 11 & 12.
15. Make sure each pair (front/rear) of shocks has the same
rebound and compression. This is checked by holding
one shock in each hand horizontally and pushing them
together by the shock end. Watch carefully to ensure that
both compress evenly. Now release both shocks and again
watch carefully as they should rebound the same.