‘21 RT Rear Shock - New Ikon Shock Installed - Squeak Gone

[Peteoz]

My new Ikon shock has just arrived, and hopefully will fix the loud squeak/squeal that the ‘21 RT came with. (We are in lockdown, so the dealer can’t do anything).

I have the painted and black side covers off, and the scars to prove it:spyder:, but the service manual says to remove the muffler (from the floorboard back). Is this really necessary, as I’d like to avoid wrestling with those springs, if possible:gaah: I.e. is the removal just to make the shock easier to remove, or can you get at the bolts and lift the rear enough to drop the shock straight down?

I have signed off for the day as it’s 4:30pm:cheers:, so I will tackle the replacement tomorrow.

I assume I also have to unbolt the ACS rod (the one that many dealers don’t seem to connect at assembly anyway).

Any advice gratefully accepted:2thumbs:

Pete

 

[Joel The Biker]

I would try to remove the shock with the muffler in place first. You can always remove it if it ends up being in the way. Those springs are a pain for sure. They seem even worse on the 2021 than previous years.

 

[Peteoz]

‘21 RT - New Ikon Shock Installed - Squeak Gone

So……… for those of you who have been waiting with baited breath (must be hundreds of you:roflblack for the next instalment in my squeaking/squealing RT rear end pps:, I can say that it was definitely the stock shock making the noise.

The new Ikon shock went in today (but not without much cussing:spyder2: ), and a test ride revealed - no more squeak…..YAY. It is going to be great pulling up at a cafe and not have everyone swivel their heads to see who is strangling a cat.:yes:

Thanks to K80shooter and Jetfixer for their invaluable tips. I’m wondering if the ‘21 is somehow different to the ‘20 though. The workshop manual for the ‘20 (I didn’t see a ‘21 version at the time) says you have to remove the muffler and pre muffler, and Jetfixer did the same for his ‘20 shock replacement, which I was NOT looking forward to (those bloody springs:gaah: ). I simply lifted the rear an extra 4” and the shock dropped straight out. Getting the new one in was a bear though, but only because of the shims that came with the Ikon not staying put when working in the tiny space around the top shock bolt.

The black inner panels were a bit tricky to take off the first time (like most things), but not difficult. The more difficult part was finding somewhere in the garage to store them while working. The are pretty big.

Many thanks for all the comments on possible solutions……even the one that suggested I should wear a condom if I am going to do that sort of thing to my Spyder, based on the video clip.:roflblack:

I can’t comment on the Ikon performance yet, as we are in lockdown so I only had a quick loop of a couple of roundabouts. It did feel pretty good on the rough bit of road leading to the roundabouts, but the stock ‘21 shock was definitely not bad in that department.

Pete

 

[K80Shooter]

Glad you got it done and that the new shock fixed the issue.

Ride safe.