Way
06-05-2002, 08:47 PM
Revalved my shocks today from 275/78 to 345/135 (super custom valving). Man what a PITA!!! Took me four hours (not including taking them off). I have rebuilt, modified thousands (literally) of bicycle front forks, but this is a major pain. I spent at least one hour on each shock getting the snap rings off and the other hour doing everything else. The snap rings are not the kind that work with snap ring pliers (why not, I dunno know?). Was trying to get the stupid snap rings off that are buried in shock fluid making it difficult to see. Also the shock oil acted as a lubricant to the snap ring making it swival in the shock body and making the mini screw drivers slip off of the end. On the last snap ring I decided to wedge an even smaller screw driver between the body and the center of the snap ring. This worked VERY well and the snap ring came off instantly. Word of advice is to not try to be gentle and pry the snap ring from the ends! Man I need a garage! Working in the hot sun in the street is a pain, and when I work in the kitchen I am in the instant dog house from the girlfriend. She says something about the kitchen not be a workshop or something, I usually tune her out when she starts talking that way, which leads me to a longer stay in the dog house. Can't win :)
Way
Way