| Author | Message | ||
     Cupfullofjoe |
The preload lock nut on my rear shock came loose while on a ride earlier today. I can't get the nut to thread back onto the shock. Is there a trick, am I missing something? The threads on both look fine. I've been trying to spin it on for like an hour but it just won't catch the threads, it only spins at the end. What are my options here? | ||
| Airbozo |
First check to see if both are clean. Then put a couple of drops of lubricant on each part and then spin it backwards until you feel a click and then forward. This is how I had to get mine on the first time. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Is this the nut that contacts the spring, that actually adjusts the preload? Or the locknut that spins freely till you lock it against the preload nut? If it's the preload nut, you're going to need to get all pressure off it first which means finding some sort of spring compressor to shorten the spring enough to get it free-threaded onto the body. If it's the locknut, I'd follow the advice above - carefully. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The whole can turns to adjust the preload. That's just the locknut. I had mine jingle loose once too. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Gotcha. Been ages since I had a stock rear shock, my bad. | ||
| Cupfullofjoe |
Yea, just the lock nut. I've cleaned the threads really well, put a dab of anti-seize lubricant on the threads and still can't get it to spin on. I can see for sure that the threads on the shock are fine, its harder to see the threads on the nut, but they also look fine. The lock nut catches the threads then gets harder to turn then pops off (only using finger strength to turn it). This is making me think the threads, probably on the lock nut, are bad. Ideally, I'd just get a better rear shock but I can't afford that after having just done new fuel injector, brake pads and tires. Nor do I really want to do that on a bike that likes to give me so much trouble. So I need a cheaper option to make it so the bike is safe to ride again (I'm assuming its not safe without the lock nut, or is it?) One idea I've had is to use a two piece shaft collar to clamp onto the shock and then tighten the can against it, but I haven't been able to find one in the right size. I measured the threaded portion of the shock with calipers and consistently get 43.8mm, so I figure a 44mm bore could work. The closest I can find to that is a 1-3/4in or 44.5mm, which is most likely going to be too big. Not to mention using a shaft collar would more than likely damage the threads. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I just ride it without the locknut? |
