Leaking rear shock?

Message

Viking · #1 Post by **Viking** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:57 am

Morning all,

I discovered a puddle under my Falco this morning.

It wasn't coolant, brake fluid, or dribbles from the ScottOiler. I eventually worked out that whatever fluid it was, it was coming from the rear shock. (Well, the bottom of the shock was all covered in this stuff, and it was the same as what had been dripping onto the ground after traveling along the exhaust pipe.)

It also appeared that the bump-stop (the rubber-looking block on the central shaft of the shock) and central shaft (rod?) of the shock were covered in fluid as well.

I can't see any other source of the fluid, which leads me to suspect that the seals on the shock have gone south.

This is the first I've ever heard of this happening. Has anyone else ever heard of a yellow-spring Mille shock leaking?

roosterNI · #2 Post by **roosterNI** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:30 am

yep have one in the garage!! well its a 04 tuono yellow spring sachs shock.

#3 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:46 pm

The good news is that it's fully rebuildable. The bad news is that you're off the road until it's fixed (unless you have the old blue spring Sachs unit available as a short-term replacement...)

Viking · #4 Post by **Viking** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:48 am

Thanks Mango,

I do have the old blue-spring unit somewhere, but I'm stuffed if I can remember where I put it.

The suspension place is only 5 minutes drive from work, so that's some consolation at least.

Oh well... Out with the axle stands tomorrow evening after work. I'll keep you all posted on how things turn out.

Falcopops · #5 Post by **Falcopops** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:42 am

I've still not fitted my yellow sachs yet, I'll be at work from the 6th onward so if you want to borrow it for a bit let me know and I'll bring it round.

Viking · #6 Post by **Viking** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 12:17 am

Falcopops wrote:I've still not fitted my yellow sachs yet, I'll be at work from the 6th onward so if you want to borrow it for a bit let me know and I'll bring it round.

Many thanks for the offer, FP. I'll leave my bike off the road for as long as it takes to get the shock fixed. I have the car to get around in (and Mrs. Viking has her bike that I can steal^W^W^W^W^W borrow if I feel the need).

Viking · #7 Post by **Viking** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:53 pm

Update: The bike is up on a set of axle stands. You don't want to look - the axle stands are on bricks to get enough height. It feels fairly steady, but I sure as hell don't want to shake it too hard.

Question: What size are the nuts and bolts that hold the bastard shock in place? I've gone through all the sockets I can find and none fit.

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:15 pm

Viking wrote:Update: The bike is up on a set of axle stands. You don't want to look - the axle stands are on bricks to get enough height. It feels fairly steady, but I sure as hell don't want to shake it too hard.

Question: What size are the nuts and bolts that hold the bastard shock in place? I've gone through all the sockets I can find and none fit.

Can't remember for sure but I know they were nothing unusual. 13mm or 17mm are fairly common on our bikes.

Falcopops · #9 Post by **Falcopops** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 5:09 am

Just had a squint at the book and M10's at 50Nm so 14mm spanner.

Aladinsaneuk · #10 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:55 am

just done jadaris shock and you will also need an allen key - large size.... like an 8 or similar? - for the upper bolt

I think the nuts/bolts were 14 and 15.....

Viking · #11 Post by **Viking** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:21 pm

Thanks guys. The old Honda was all 8/10/12/14mm stuff. None of this poxy 13/15/17mm rubbish.

*sigh* Off to the shop to buy more sockets...

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:33 pm

Viking wrote:Thanks guys. The old Honda was all 8/10/12/14mm stuff. None of this poxy 13/15/17mm rubbish.

*sigh* Off to the shop to buy more sockets...

Yeah ..... it fooled me too to begin with - every other bike I've had was a Honda - couldn't believe the 10/12/14 mm sockets didn't do the job on the Falco!

Viking · #13 Post by **Viking** » Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:16 pm

Well, the shock is out (courtesy of a 1/2 inch socket and an AFS spanner) and dropped off to the suspension place.

For the princely sum of AU$165 it will be pulled apart, inspected, repaired, put back together and 'tuned' to suit my weight. Too bloody easy!

snapdragon · #14 Post by **snapdragon** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 11:20 am

Nice one

- see thats what happens when you do too many stoppies

Viking · #15 Post by **Viking** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:42 am

*happy*

I picked up the shock yesterday. Not going to be able to put it back in the bike as we're doing work around the house (when it cools down - it's just too damned hot to do anything outside) for the rest of the weekend.

Hopefully will be able to take the girl out for a ride later in the week.