Can a shock be straightened?

[Track Poacher]

I hit a boulder with my King Cat a bent the shock on the Left side. Can I straighten it? It is bent out on the end with the heim, the body appears to be ok. I was thinking of putting it in a press and trying to cold press it?

Any suggestions?

 

[Beels]

I hit a boulder with my King Cat a bent the shock on the Left side. Can I straighten it? It is bent out on the end with the heim, the body appears to be ok. I was thinking of putting it in a press and trying to cold press it?

Any suggestions?

The chrome plating on the shaft will crack when pressed back (if it's not already) and if it runs high enough up, it'll take the main seal out on the body. If it doesn't crack high enough that it'll run into the body, it MAY get you by in pinch. If it doesn't, the steel will be fatigued enough it'll snap real easily and can really wreck a day of riding, if not worse.

Get the shaft replaced. Most places that service shocks should have one available. If you haven't had the rest serviced, it would be a good time as well.

 

[ruffryder]

FWIW,

I believe that Hygear will bend the shock back for you. I had one done, though it wasn't bent very badly.

What is the worst that will happen? Get a new shock rod which you need already? Best to take it apart completely to make sure you get it straight, and not move the bend to somewhere else (further into the shock).

If the bend is pretty bad, it is best to replace it.

 

[ttyR2]

If the shaft isn't straightened perfectly, it may well cause the piston to be pushed offcenter and could theoretically rub on the side of the piston bore. Not worth the risk. Replacement shock shafts aren't that expensive.

 

[PalousePoo]

replace it

 

[Wyoming T/A]

straightened 1 on my 04 rev and it was good---use to do that on our race cars all the time with no problems..try it ,if it doesnt catch and doesnt leak,it will be ok

 

[black swan]

clutch side

if it snaps at the top mount, it could swing free & take out your primary clutch.....
then the repairs go from $150 to $500+ incuding belly-pan porting-no charge--------------and ya get towed back if luck by a skidoo.

almost happened to me once in band camp

ray

 

[Coxy]

Bah, i bent the shocks on my M 3 times last year. The first two times it was just far enough away from the eye that i could work it out with a 20 ton press at the local shop. A little patiences, some really dense plasticy rubber to protect the shaft, and i was impressed. The last time it bent it on the shaft, and right at the eye, so it wasnt totally doable. If its not right out to lunch, it can be tweaked back easilly to get you through the year. Whats the worst that you can do? Break the shaft and have to replace it? You'll have to do it either way eventually...

 

[8emup]

Straightened one on my 04 Rev and have ridden it another 4000 miles. I figured I would be replacing it, but it's still going.

 

[R J]

Can it be done? Yes, will it last? Probably not. Would I do it and trust it? Not a chance!

You bent it, damaged it, now face the facts. You need to buy a new or used one.

 

[EastcapeAngler]

.. Bought a truck with a bent frame once. Had it straightened "good as new!!" Hit a "pine cone" so to speak.. WAAALAAH!! tweakage..

 

[POLZIN]

I would use this opportunity to upgrade and not speng the $$ on used shocks especially if its an inexpensive stocker shock. just a guess But If you would chance straightening it you probably dont have top of the line shocks anyway.IMO suspension is the best money spent on a sled .

 

[R J]

.. Bought a truck with a bent frame once. Had it straightened "good as new!!" Hit a "pine cone" so to speak.. WAAALAAH!! tweakage..

Why am I the only one that caught this and thinks it's funny?

 

[snowcross338]

You're right it's funny!!!!!