Should I have any concerns???

[RX1-er-2005]

I've notice my "RA" (monoshock) rear shock leaking oil again...it was doing it brand new and I was told it was normal,it hadn't riden wet...is the answer I got last year.


Yesterday I was giving it a quick check and noticed oil again...

How do I go about making sure that the shock is in good condition???

 

[Red2003]

It is NEVER "normal" for a shock to leak oil. Get it replaced under warranty.

 

[1CrazySledder]

Isn't there a seal in there? Maybe after it is riden a few miles it will break in and seal tight. I would drive it first a few miles and see if it still leaks. Shouldn't be much to get a new shock under warranty. Easy fix with no down time. Remember, these sleds are brand new, some things require break in besides the engine.

1CS

 

[RX1-er-2005]

Yes I do agree...that is why last year I gave the dealer the benifit of the doubt...but I rode 3000 miles and its still leaking...it seems to be leaking after sitting for a few months (summerised) in a insulated garage.

 

[Red2003]

Seals DO NOT EVER require break-in. Some engine parts do, like rings and bearings, but not seals. Shocks DO have seals, but if a dealer is telling you a small leak is normal, they are full of S%&#. Period. Shocks DO NOT leak unless something is wrong. Get it replaced before the white stuff comes, and you're on the side of the trail with a collapsed rear skid.

 

[STORM-CHASER]

If it leaks get it fixed before the show flys

 

[LazyBastard]

Get it replaced before the white stuff comes, and you're on the side of the trail with a collapsed rear skid.

A shock won't put you on the side of the trail. When it dies, the ride will just get worse. The SPRING holds everything up. The shock just resists movement.

 

[Red2003]

If whatever is messed up in that shock lets go and bottoms the suspension hard, it could easily break the skid. Guys on here are breaking the skid without any shock problems. Irrespective of that, the fact remains that a leak is NOT normal and the shock should be replaced. Why risk it???

 

[LazyBastard]

When it starts bottoming hard, I would hope that any SANE person would SLOW DOWN. Even with a dead shock, it can easily be driven without bottoming out.

And besides - there is no correlation between bottoming and breaking. When its bottomed out, its sitting the shaft on the rubber bumper, no stress on anything delicate.

 

[Red2003]

OK LB, its too early in the season to start a pissing contest, so think what ever you wanna think. As far as a connection between bottoming and breaking, its already been documented here that there is. If the shock bottoms, the skid takes the rest of the force exerted. Ever notice those rubber bumpers halfway down the rails????? :? They break really nicely there from bottoming. Trust me.

 

[whits-end]

Another concern:

If it's leaking out, might it leak in ?

I've seen several sled shocks injest moisture, and freeze down, in the collapsed position, despite spring tension, usually after the first bump.

Wouldn't believe it was frozen, if I hadn't seen a heat source pop it right back up again.

Now's a good time to get it fixed.