How to remove your rear shock

Mountain Bike Rider

Servicing your suspension? Fitting offset bushings? Here’s how to remove your rear shock without doing any damage.

Tools you will need

  • Something for scraping out muck from bolt heads
  • Rags
  • Bike-friendly cleaner
  • Allen keys

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Whether you’re performing an air can service at home, swapping a spring or sending your shock off to the experts, you’re going to need to know how to remove your shock without causing damage. Here’s how it’s done…

Step 1: Remove your rear wheel and clean any dirt from the bolt heads.

Step 2: Think about what will happen when the frame loses the support of the shock. Check what will contact what and jam rags into gaps to prevent frame damage.

Step 3: Use a quality Allen key/s to undo the shock mount bolts, make sure to fully insert the tool to prevent bolt damage.

Step 4: Carefully remove the bolts allowing the swingarm/shock linkages to gently rest on the rags. Withdraw the shock from the frame noting its orientation.