2009 gs rear shock spring replacement

[NVERLAST1]

I'm looking to replace my rear shock. I'm about 280 pounds and I already have it all the way up. It's a hard ride but when I adjust down when I hit bump it scrubs.

 

[Warlock]

I'm looking to replace my rear shock. I'm about 280 pounds and I already have it all the way up. It's a hard ride but when I adjust down when I hit bump it scrubs.

Does your have the 2 spring shock on it? If it does I have replaced mine with a different upper spring. The stock spring is rated around 447 lbs per inch. Not much when you add the weight of the bike to it. Only leaves around 250 lbs to play with. Doesn't take much to bottom it out. I replaced mine with a 900 lbs a inch spring and really like the way it rides. I go around 210 and it doesn't bottom out at all. I also had my wife on back and still doesn't bottom out. Check out this thread that shows what I did.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?111241-Rear-Shock-Mod-(spring-change-out)
David

 

[NVERLAST1]

How would I know if 2 springs. Do you have rt?

 

[Chupaca]

Depends...

You can go Elkas, Faceted, Fox, Progressive and a few others. Just the springs you can try BRP they used to offer a stronger spring....:thumbup:

 

[Warlock]

How would I know if 2 springs. Do you have rt?

I have a 08 GS spyder. Look at your back shock. If there is a spacer between the shock springs yours would be a 2 spring shock. The top spring is the weaker one and the bottom is the heavier one. Only problem is when the top spring bottoms out it is rubbing the tire and the bottom spring isn't doing much at all. You can buy heavier rear shocks, but have your pocket book ready. They start out around $600 dollars and go up from there. Also look at post number 5 on the link I posted and there is a picture of a shock with the 2 springs. If that looks like yours a spring can be changed and that is just another option you can think about.

David

 

[retread]

If your 09 is laid out like my 08 was, there are holes in the swing arm and frame where you can mount the air bag that is used on the RT, might be worth checking.

john

 

[Warlock]

If your 09 is laid out like my 08 was, there are holes in the swing arm and frame where you can mount the air bag that is used on the RT, might be worth checking.

john

Yours must have a up dated swing arm. My wife had a 11 RRS with that style swing arm. In 08 the air bags wasn't in production for the Spyder. I know in the 10 models late editions they changed to the swing air that fits the ST's and RT's which could have a air bag installed.
David

 

[retread]

My 08 was a Premier Edition, #3266, got it in April of 08, and the holes were already there.

john

 

[spacetiger]

Does your have the 2 spring shock on it? If it does I have replaced mine with a different upper spring. The stock spring is rated around 447 lbs per inch. Not much when you add the weight of the bike to it. Only leaves around 250 lbs to play with. Doesn't take much to bottom it out. I replaced mine with a 900 lbs a inch spring and really like the way it rides. I go around 210 and it doesn't bottom out at all. I also had my wife on back and still doesn't bottom out. Check out this thread that shows what I did.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?111241-Rear-Shock-Mod-(spring-change-out)
David

David - Remind everyone what you spent to solve your rear suspension challenge. If everyone offering options would put that suggested cost, this will reach closure quickly.

Jerry

 

[Warlock]

My 08 was a Premier Edition, #3266, got it in April of 08, and the holes were already there.

john

Don't mean to argue, but that swing wasn't built till the end of 2010. Mine has a couple little holes but not to mount a air bag. That is when the swing arm was designed to accommodate a air bag for the RT's.
David

 

[Warlock]

David - Remind everyone what you spent to solve your rear suspension challenge. If everyone offering options would put that suggested cost, this will reach closure quickly.

Jerry

I think I had $77.00 on the up dated spring. Of course I installed it myself.
David

 

[NVERLAST1]

What tool I need to change it?

 

[Warlock]

What tool I need to change it?

I used 3 ratchet straps to change mine out here is a video that will help explain it. I used 2 to remove the old spring, being it was a weaker spring. Need 3 to put the new spring on. Just be careful. I was a chief mechanic offshore and use to fooling with all kind of different things.

David

 

[JerryB]

Hi NVERLAST1,

Re: What tool I need to change it?

Look here: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?111241-Rear-Shock-Mod-(spring-change-out)

Many ways to skin this cat,

Jerry Baumchen

 

[oldgoat]

To the OP

If something goes wrong changing out the springs you could die.

As you are not experienced in that sort of thing, get a professional to do it.

 

[Yazz]

To the OP

If something goes wrong changing out the springs you could die.

As you are not experienced in that sort of thing, get a professional to do it.

Have to agree with OldGoat. Know a parts guy at a dealership that got his front teeth busted out from a runaway spring. I saw the before and after. Not a pretty picture...

********

I'm the original owner of a '09. Have replaced all three shock absorbers, not springs, replaced by my dealership. One by one they started bottoming out. Dark fluid on the ground by the shocks is the give away. Never had to replace the springs.

The GS has ridden over 300# passengers, Wounded Warriors, without bottoming out.

Figure out what's broke before replacing... :thumbup:

 

[JerryB]

Hi oldgoat,

Re: As you are not experienced . . . get a professional to do it.

While I am the inveterate DIY'er, I knew enough to have a professional do this work.

And I do not have the proper tools for this type of work. If I would have had the proper spring compressor, I might have tackled it. Not having the tools made it an easy decision.

Most people have no real idea on how much energy is stored in a collapsed spring.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[NVERLAST1]

right....which is why Im going to rent a spring compressor from advance auto.

Hi oldgoat,

Re: As you are not experienced . . . get a professional to do it.

While I am the inveterate DIY'er, I knew enough to have a professional do this work.

And I do not have the proper tools for this type of work. If I would have had the proper spring compressor, I might have tackled it. Not having the tools made it an easy decision.

Most people have no real idea on how much energy is stored in a collapsed spring.

Jerry Baumchen

 

[spacetiger]

right....which is why Im going to rent a spring compressor from advance auto.

The spring compressor from the auto store is for larger diameter coil springs and do not work well with the smaller diameter springs. I tried those first. They scratched the shock and always left me wondering if they would slip off.

3 ratchet straps work well. Get the beefy endless loop ones; each strap can take up 750 lbs each, so plenty of capacity. When you use 3, you can release them 1 at a time to release tension on the spring. There is no chance the spring can get away from you because you have 2 others still holding the spring from fully expanding. Watch the video.

Of course you can get a 20 ton press and some special shock gear to hold the shock just so, but you'd be looking at $450 or so for everything. If you live in N Va or MD, I can help you out.

Jerry

 

[NVERLAST1]

Ok thanks for the info. I actually have a set of this heavtmy duty straps already.

The spring compressor from the auto store is for larger diameter coil springs and do not work well with the smaller diameter springs. I tried those first. They scratched the shock and always left me wondering if they would slip off.

3 ratchet straps work well. Get the beefy endless loop ones; each strap can take up 750 lbs each, so plenty of capacity. When you use 3, you can release them 1 at a time to release tension on the spring. There is no chance the spring can get away from you because you have 2 others still holding the spring from fully expanding. Watch the video.

Of course you can get a 20 ton press and some special shock gear to hold the shock just so, but you'd be looking at $450 or so for everything. If you live in N Va or MD, I can help you out.

Jerry