Rear Fox Shocks Install

[nater24]

Hey guys,

I've never tried to remove the rear shocks so don't have the know how. I have the Fox rear shocks coming.

Is it possible to remove the stock shock and install the Fox shocks without removing the skid? What is the best and easiest way to do this?

Thanks

 

[Indy_500]

I have swapped shocks out without removing the skid on older sleds in the past but imo it takes less time to just remove the entire thing so you're not fighting anything!

 

[Uncle Bob]

I just did mine on my axys without completely removing the skid just because im stubborn like that, you still have to remove the front limiter strap and the rear skid bolts then swing the skid out the bottom with the sled on its side, does it save time, probably not by the time you back off all springs and mess around but you do get to keep your man card for another day

 

[WyoPro]

Remove the rear arm, 2 bolts, and then remove the 2 bolts from the RTS. Should come right out if there is not any pre load on the shock.

http://screencast.com/t/i4j5HIdG6nSP

 

[mountainhorse]

IMO... it actually takes less time when you pull the skid.

Is this a new sled or does it have some time on it?

Pulling the skid allows you to clean and re-lube it really well (pull the cross shafts etc).

Also a great time for replacing worn hyfax (I do this each season usually).

But, YES... possible to replace them with the skid in the sled.





.

 

[dude]

I've replaced both rear shocks without removing the skid on my PRO's and on my Ayxs. It's really not bad, and I'm in no way a mechanic. I would loosen the track adjustments all the way and lift the rear of the sled. To lift the sled I've just used a 6 or 8 foot step ladder opened across the back directly above the rear bumper then use some straps to the top of the ladder to hold the track off the floor so there's not any weight on the suspension. The rear track shock is cake to swap out, just unscrew the spring to take all the preload out of the spring, take out the 2 bolts (top and bottom) and it comes right out, then reverse the process with the new shock. The front rear shock is a little more difficult. Same basic process as the rear shock, but takes a little more leverage to push the shaft in to get it out / back in. Maybe I've had bad luck with taking skids out in the past, but it always seems to be a total PITA to get it back in and get the front bolts to go back in. IMO I'd just leave the skid in, and do what I've described above. Good luck

 

[WyoPro]

Even though pulling the skid takes about 5 mins to get out and 5 to go back in (easiest to lay sled on the side) you're effectively removing 6 bolts total...2 more than the 4 it takes to pull RTS. I'm a sucker for efficiency. I have to pull the rear arm out for clearance to get the Exit ressy out.

Either way it's easy peazy.

 

[nater24]

Great Info guys, thanks a ton

Also, with regards to the limiter strap... I'm boosted (thus the upgraded shocks) so should I adjust the limiter strap as well? or leave it as is.

Thanks

 

[FatDogX]

I've done it both ways and honestly it's a horse a piece........

I think if you have an extra hand available, I would just pull the skid. Pulling the skid is super easy and no need to even loosen the track tension. Once you go to put it back in, this where it's nice to have that extra hand.

I like pulling the skid, because it give you a chance to do a good once over on the entire rear skid and once it's out, shock replacement is a breeze!!!

If you leave the rear skid in, I think it just takes a little more maneuvering and effort when your taking the shocks in and out.

 

[po-dunk rider]

I've done both ways as well. I've found easiest way to do it if you are not going to remove the skid is to get the shortest/smallest ratchet strap and compress the shock to make it fit and then bolt in and remove the strap. (Make sure u route the strap that you can remove one shock/bolts are in. Just my 2 cents...

 

[nater24]

Got them installed - Thanks for your help everyone

I decided to just remove the skid. Pretty simple and it allowed me to easily inspect and grease everything. I was even able to get it back on with the help of my 7 year old

The only difficult part was to remove the 2 bolts that are on the same shaft (When one is loose it allows the bar to spin which prevents you from being able to loosen the other side). I'm sure there is a trick for this but I figured it out.

Thanks again and can't wait to try them out.

 

[FatDogX]

I decided to just remove the skid. Pretty simple and it allowed me to easily inspect and grease everything. I was even able to get it back on with the help of my 7 year old

The only difficult part was to remove the 2 bolts that are on the same shaft (When one is loose it allows the bar to spin which prevents you from being able to loosen the other side). I'm sure there is a trick for this but I figured it out.

Thanks again and can't wait to try them out.

Impact gun will fix this issue!!

Crack a side loose with the impact, then run it back in lightly, then move to the other side and zip that side out. Then go back to the first side and zip that one out with the impact and presto!!

 

[xpspenziv]

pull 1 bolt out and put a jam nut on it to hold 1 side. They use a common insert.

 

[meathooker]

Make sure you use loctite! The factory stuff will not work after removal and your bolts will come loose. It happened to a few guys i know.

as others have mentioned above its mostly personal preference to remove the skid or not. Ive done both numerous times and most of the time i just pull the shocks out. if you have all of the tools handy its a 15-20 min job.