Install Progressive Suspension – 412 Heavy Duty Shocks

January 17th, 2009
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Preparation

What you need:

  • Socket Wrench (10mm, 12mm, 14mm)
  • Phillips Head Screwdriver or Large Allen Wrench
  • Crowbar or Hammer
  • Goo-Off and a rag (to remove the cartoony sticker)

I do not know why I am writing up these directions. The process is real easy. I did this with out using my lift and at all times I thought the shocks were going to pop or snap off. This was not the case. Read below for an easy way to install new shocks.

Right Side Shock

This one is the easy one. With the 14mm Socket wrench, first remove the top bolt on the shock, and than remove the bottom bolt. The shock will slightly pop when the bottom bolt is finally removed, but nothing dramatic. Lift the shock out of the bottom housing and slide off the top post.

Do the reverse to put replace the new shock (sticker end up), but use the smallest diameter/ thickest black spacer (provided with the shocks) for the bottom bolt of the shock. You will be able to lift and lower the bike with one hand to line up the bottom bolt hole. Replace bolts. See pic (notice how much lower the bike is now :)).

If you want to remove the sticker, do it now. Peel sticker and use a rag with Goo-Off (or anything else you have that will work) to remove the adhesive.

Left Side Shock

This one is a bit more difficult because of the bottom bolt. Tighten the right-side shock to highest setting (5) and loosen the left side to the lowest tension (1). Remove the top bolt (14mm). Loosen the bottom bolt (12mm). This bolt will not thread out fully, hense the difficult part. You will have to pry the top end of the shock off first (I used a hammer’s claw, but a crow bar will work better). Be gentle doing this. Once the top is removed, work the shock around so the bolt on the bottom can be removed.

Replace the new shock using the largest diameter/thinnest black spacer on the bottom this time. You will need to work this side with a screwdriver or a thick alan wrench to line up the bottom bolt hole. I had to lie on the floor to look down the hole and lift my bike using my knee on the rear fender to make sure everything was lining up (it is a tight fit). Tighten all bolts (if you wish, see torque values on this site for exact torque values).

Remove sticker and clean. Tighten shock cam to 5 or what ever value you will be riding with (I like them stiff).

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