I was getting frustrated with my pre-load adjusting knob going 8-10 clicks before I felt anything so I decided to follow suit and remove the unit and replace the oil like others have done. The bottom of the shock was a little grungy, could be from road dirt however. Cleaned up with just a spray of contact cleaner. Didn't see any oil leaking anywhere. I unbolted the (2) bolts holding the unit, pushed it through to the right side and simply lifted it out between the shock and the battery box. I didn't have to remove anything else. I held the units flats with a cresent wrench and removed the banjo fitting. Both copper washers were clean and undamaged so I re-used them.
I poured out about a thimble worth of some really nasty, milky looking oil and sediment into a clear glass bowl. I pushed the plunger back down with a plastic chop stick so I would not damage anything inside the unit. It was stuck, but gentle pressure moved it back where it should be. I worked the screw and pushed it back several times with new oil to clean it out some. After I felt it was clean, I opened the screw all the way, pushed the piston fully open and filled it to the top with clean hydraulic jack oil from the machine shop. I re-attached the banjo fitting, pushed it back through to the left side, and attatched the two bolts again. I installed the spring, ball bearing and knob and tightened the phillips screw. I crossed my fingers....I turned the knob 1 turn and felt resistance on every click.
After I finished I started wondering if maybe Honda left that air space in there for a reason? Maybe it heats up and expands? Maybe I'll blow my seal and ruin my shock now? What have I done
I'm sure I'm just over thinking this, but has anyone who has topped off their pre-load unit had problems afterward? Blown seals, gaskets, etc.
Just need a little reasurance or a group hug perhaps.
Did I do the right thing?
I poured out about a thimble worth of some really nasty, milky looking oil and sediment into a clear glass bowl. I pushed the plunger back down with a plastic chop stick so I would not damage anything inside the unit. It was stuck, but gentle pressure moved it back where it should be. I worked the screw and pushed it back several times with new oil to clean it out some. After I felt it was clean, I opened the screw all the way, pushed the piston fully open and filled it to the top with clean hydraulic jack oil from the machine shop. I re-attached the banjo fitting, pushed it back through to the left side, and attatched the two bolts again. I installed the spring, ball bearing and knob and tightened the phillips screw. I crossed my fingers....I turned the knob 1 turn and felt resistance on every click.
After I finished I started wondering if maybe Honda left that air space in there for a reason? Maybe it heats up and expands? Maybe I'll blow my seal and ruin my shock now? What have I done
I'm sure I'm just over thinking this, but has anyone who has topped off their pre-load unit had problems afterward? Blown seals, gaskets, etc.
Just need a little reasurance or a group hug perhaps.
Did I do the right thing?