Uh-oh, Lucy...'sploded shock

 

I don't know WHAT I was thinking... XR400, BTW - which is 80% back
together, as much of a disaster as THAT turned out to be.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/2773906521_eb8beee734_o.jpg

Actually - pulling it down was way easier than a fork, with the
exception of taking off the spring, which easily took twice as long as
all the rest.  That, and the one time when I thought it was empty and
pulled the shock shaft out (should suck in, right?), and I got shot in
the side with a 100PSI stream of brake cleaner and oil that blew out
of the compression adjuster hole (damn, that was COLD).

I would be remiss if I didn't trash GP Suspension (NY) a little bit.
I used them to do a rebuild, which leaked the first time - though they
fixed it for me, so they were inside my shock twice.  I've recommended
them many times, but after seeing the inside of my shock, I've got to
change my tune.  There are tool marks in several locations of the
shock body - I can tell exactly what size screwdriver he used to pull
apart every cap and snap-ring.  Even used a screwdriver to pry off the
end cap instead of punching it out using the little holes.  Bogus - I
have a lot of de-burring to do before I put it back together.  Check
out the bitty shaft seal.  Unless they can get mis-seated like this
during use, it was installed this way:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2774758140_13c311afb1_o.jpg

The big O-ring around the seal head was missing a few chunks too - it
doesn't move during use, so it was definitely caused during install.
I don't know exactly where the oil-loss failure was, but there's no
wonder the shock puked it's guts out.

Anybody know the best place to get Showa parts (seals, O-rings,
bladder)?  I don't have a clue of where to look.

JayC

PS - The urge to re-valve it is overwhelming.

 




Smelly too.


This is just the wiper seal, not super critical.

You've outlined all the reasons I do my own shock work.  I think GP revalved
my ATK.  The shim  washers were inferior, and one of them fell apart.


I just used the Honda dealer for simplicity & convenience.

Speaking of suspension, I worked over the XRL last week.  The steering head
bearing had loosened, and the lower heim joint for the shock was kaput.
Went for a ride on Sunday.  Wow!  What a difference in handling without all
of those loose pieces.

-Jeff-

 



hehe. When you're done reassembling, could you make me a robot with
the leftover parts? <g>

-- Tiago
  good luck!

 



Best place?
If you want OEM parts, Service Honda will probably have the best price.
I've had good luck with MX Tech for parts. They seem to have a pretty large
inventory.