I tried adjusting my front shocks last night and with the 10 cent spaner wrench that comes with the RT I couldn't turn to a higher setting so I got a longer wrench to help with leverage. Well I ended up braking chips of white metal on the adjusting piece. I have since found out that it would be easier to adjust with the weight off the shock. I have ordered the new part. My question is, can I remove the shock alone to take to a place that will decompress the spring to put the new part on, and can pretty much any garage do that, and will removing the shock from the machine be under tension or will just removing the two bolts take it off easily.
Thanks for any input.
Roger[/QUOTE
First off you are adjusting the front springs preload on a coil over shock absorber and not changing the shock absorber in anyway. Everyone says the same thing you are saying and that is not the case so don't feel alone or take it personal.
Changing the front spring preload with the front end in the air is the easy way to do it. I have jacked on the bottom skid plate with no trouble so far and the wrench that broke was designed to be used with that method and if you didn't do that is why it broke. I am guessing, I don't know, that with the preload all the way off the spring might be able to be safe to remove. If not then you need a spring compressor which might be the case here. Most shops should have one and if you get the spring and shock unit off the trike they should be able to replace the broken or failing part. In putting the replacement back in place I would use some kind of lubricant to make adjustment of the spring preload easier in the future. Most people would use oil or grease but I tend to like silicone spray as it attracts and holds much less dirt and grime. Good Luck with your fix and in the future! Bill
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