Forum menu
Is it a case of just clamping both eyelets and unscrewing? I don't want to bend the mounts, but I don't see any other way unless I get hold of some kind of turbo version of those things you use for taking oil filters off cars... I'm thinking that sticking a bar through the eyelet holes would be a bad thing since you'd distort them.
Once inside, is it similar to a fork? Or will it explode in a shower of springs and rubber bits?
The shock is a 2007 Manitou Swinger x3 with the no-tools lever instead of SPV valve. It's the lever that's stopped working incidentally.
Either use an old innertube to get some purchase - start it whilst still on the bike
or - get a 'Boa' strap wrench from B&Q [or similar]
I thought they were monstrously difficult to unscrew?
I know nothing about rear shocks but I'm sure that I read an article on TF Tuned in one of the MTB mags and I'm sure that there was something in it about some shocks being charged with nitrogen (pressurised?). It might be worth giving someone like TF Tuned a call if you're not sure what you're doing.
Not done a Manitou but managed plenty of Foxes
p_j - the damping cartridge is/can be gas charged, but if the OP is just looking to do an aircan service, he'll not be going anywhere nr the damper. Just release all the air, then crack the can whilst it's on the bike. Easy after that (Fox)
I thought they were monstrously difficult to unscrew?
Nope. Not any of the half a dozen I've taken apart have needed any more than a single hand to undo them. Let out air pressure, grab aircan and unscrew anti-clockwise - The bit with the valve and adjusters on stays in place, the aircan unscrews from this. As malready said, loosten it on the bike, then remove. Easy as pie.
When screwing the can back on, it can be a bit tricky. Back off the rebound all the way first or refit to the bike and use the suspension leverage to compress the shock to screw the can back on.
Ah, so if I just unscrew the can I won't get at the damper gubbins?
Thing is, the SPV adjustment is stuck. The lever turns and feels normal, but I get no SPV in any position. The lever resistance increases like normal too so it should be pressurising the SPV chamber internally.. so something deep down could be stuck. Sounds like it might be more complex than a simple undo and clean job.
I don't know much about the Swinger, but with my Floats you need to let all the air out, leave them in the frame and then twist the body to "break" the seal a tad and I'm sure the Manitou is the same.
You probably won't be able to get to the gubbins this way, all you'll find is the main air spring and seals. The SPV damper may well be non-user servicable, IIRC they need a certain amount of pressure in them or they'll malfunction.
Might be an idea to give TF Tuned (or similar) a call - TF Tuned support 5th Element air shocks which also use an SPV type system for the pedal platform.
Would be interested to know how you get on.
5th Element ones use a chargable air chamber with a schraeder valve on it I think, like the old SPV used to and the old Manitou Minutes used to use. On the fork it was fully dismantlable.
I asked about this yesterday re a Fox shock. There's a Youtube vid showing how to do it which was very reassuring - have you checked there ?
If you need a boa strap try ebay, got mine for about £4.