Rear Shock Air Sleeve Service

Service Steps

1. Clean Everything: Clean the outside of the shock thoroughly. Dirt is the enemy of suspension internals.
2. Deflate Entirely: Attach your shock pump, record the pressure, then fully deflate the shock. Cycle the shock a few times to release air from the negative chamber and deflate again.
3. Remove from Bike: Unscrew the mounting hardware and remove the shock from the frame.
4. Open the Sleeve: Use a strap wrench (or firm hand grip) to unscrew the air sleeve from the shock head. Slide the sleeve off the body.
5. Clean Internals: Wipe away all old grease and oil from the air piston and the inside of the sleeve using isopropyl alcohol.
6. Replace Seals: Use a plastic pick to carefully remove the old O-rings and seals. Lubricate the new seals with suspension fluid and install them.
7. Lubricate: Apply a thin layer of suspension grease to the main piston seal and the air sleeve threads. Add the recommended amount of fluid (usually 2-3ml) into the sleeve before sliding it back on.
8. Reassemble: Slide the sleeve back over the piston, compress it, and hand-tighten. Reinstall the shock on the bike and torque the mounting bolts.
9. Final Setup: Re-inflate to your recorded pressure, cycling the shock every 50 PSI to equalize the chambers.

[!CAUTION] If you cannot easily unscrew the sleeve or if the shock stays compressed ("stuck down"), DO NOT attempt to open it yourself. This indicates high pressure trapped in the negative chamber, which can cause the sleeve to fly off with dangerous force.