I searched for "shock service", and did not turn up any advice, and looked in the "How To's", nothing there either.

I'm reading advice about front fork service intervals that suggests 20-25K miles, and then service the front fork oil.

I dont see much advice about the rear shock service interval, or what should be done?

I'm pretty sure there is no "user servicable parts" in our 14R rear shocks, but I thought I'd ask about what to look for indicating the need for service. (I'm a "push on it, 'n look for rebound amount" kinda guy, but that might not be right either).

Thanks for the leg up.

This is like a car shock. A sealed [has a life cycle] of [bean counting] in the cheap seats is fast production, non-serviceable; throw away with bike when done; kind of goes with the territory life cycle. Gas charged like a fridge with the same kind of; sealed like a radiator. The gas heat to oil heat and that bumping action with spring is keep adjusting as long as oil is in it.

Say the gas leaks out. The sealing of the oil is if you still have oil, it reverts back to a front shock and just tighten the comp and rebound so you do not pogo stick kind of say for argument sake no oil resistance and now it's just spring... You'll know when the shock takesayshit.

They service them here in SA. Its like new when they are done. In looks and handling. Can't tell you what exactly was serviced. Shop just told me they reconditioned it. Not sure on how long it lasts second time round, but haven't had any complaints. I know some guys have put in stronger springs as well.

OK, great! So, it's a "pay attention to me when I let you know I need it" device. Cool!

Hub:

Most of what I read about fork oil is, it wears out, and does so because it gets aluminum particles in it, which then accelerates seal wear.

So, I'm wondering, does the shock oil "wear out" too? I get that you're telling me the shock will let me know when it needs attention if the gas leaks out.

Is there a service interval for rebuilding this thing?

There is a company in Woodstock, GA called Traxxion Dynamics who can rebuild and revalve the rear shock, a lot cheaper then an aftermarket shock. They also do front forks. I have used Traxxion several times, quick turn-around, great service. If you let them know your riding weight they will re-spring shock for you. Unbelievable difference in before and after ride, kinda like a reflash. They do great work!

www.traxxion.com

OK, thanks

Meb I don't think I've seen anywhere that there is a specific interval. I believe shocks wear according to riding style, weight put on them etc. mine started to bottom out no matter what settings I used. So that's when I knew mine needed attention.

Right, got it.

Just like Hub said, "This is like a car shock.", like that.

I agree with you both, there's no set interval. I did not want to "prime the pump" with my opinion, but I wanted the information to come out without me getting in the way.

Thanks, I think it has now. I'm glad it's like this. These parts are expensive...

Meb, I'm pretty sure Race Tech does a rebuild service on them.

Mad

Well, me-bad I just made sure this xx could rebuild the shock and here I thought it was gas filled? I see no place to re-gas the shock; I do see what I thought was the diaphragm and some mixed gas is just the bladder with a penultimate hole in the cup/cap-retainer.

So yes, the deal is, I need to capture every drop so I pump out all the oil out of the diaphragm/cap removal end. I don't think I want to mess with the rb/com valves and pull them. So my easiest/safest move is to take a golf ball size ball and hard enough to go up against the concave of the cup; place the rez and ball in between the vice jaws and push the ball into the cup until you are past and clear of the split ring you need to remove.

Clean the ring cavity; find no burrs you trying to pull that ring out. Dress any gouges because here comes the rubber plunger coming out that way and now the oil is going to be flowing out of there. Pump the rod [spring was removed] so you keep purging all the oil into a measuring container. Hang it upside down and let it drain; keep pumping the rod as it hangs; upright the shock and pump then let hang; I mean you are in the cycling of that pump action like the front shocks are there hanging too.

Once the oil was pumped out of the front forks, they both dialed in with the same level in my magic marker line and who cares reading ounces I meet the mark. I buy the oil for the forks; low and behold was half the container went into one fork and the other was as equal to the magic mark and the whole container refilled the front fork service interval.

I could probably rebuild the shock the same way xx will be doing it, short of a new clip and rubber diaphragm; I buy another bottle of shock oil like the front forks used. Only replaceable parts on the shock are the nut and bolts on the bottom clevis, etc; the rubber bush at the top of the shock that is broken down and bangs with the steel insert no longer encased in that rubber baby buggy bump her assembly.

So, bottom line... Fuckit... Let it ride. No leak? Wait till you fiddlefuckitwithit...

Signed,

NOLTT

I had mine rebuilt, re-sprung and re-valved by Traxxion dynamics for around $350 shipped. At 40K miles, the stock shock was pretty tired. TD will set your shock up for you weight and riding style.