2013 super10 rear shock removal

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
Does the linkage move when you remove the lower bolt? I tried to push the bolt out with thumb no go, I'm worried about the thread what's the best way to remove the bolt?
When I did mine, I just jiggled the swingarm while pushing out the bolt, and it came out.

I'm assuming you have a centerstand on your bike. If so, there's another way to take the pressure off the bolt in the swingarm so you can remove the shock, if you aren't able to physically lift the wheel to take the pressure off the swingarm bolt. Go to the hardware store and get some of those wooden wedges they sell that help you install a door jamb. They usually come shrink wrapped in a package. Stack up some some small squares of plywood under the rear tire until the tire is close to sitting on them. Then use the wedges to fill up the remaining gap, until the wedges are touching the tire. If you drive the wedges closer together, it'll lift the tire with very little effort, until you relieve the weight on the swingarm bolt. You set the wedges, then pull on the bolt; if it's still too tight, tap the wedges a little closer together. If you go too far, pull the wedges a little further apart. With this method you don't have to hold the weight of the tire with one hand while manipulating the bolt with the other. It will also support the weight of the tire and hold it in the correct position for reinserting the bolt after you change the shock.

I use this wedge method when I change the rear tire on my bike. The wedge holds up the rear tire and takes the weight off the axle, so the axle is easy to remove, and it also supports the tire while it's meshed to the final drive so the tire is easier to pull free.

I've attached a photo of one of the wedges I use. It's just four of those hardware store wedges, glued edge to edge. Gluing them together like that creates more surface area for the tire to sit on.

IMG_20211013_103119.jpg
 
Last edited:

Nasho279

New Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2019
Messages
9
Location
Thornbury. Vic. 3071 Australia.
When I did mine, I just jiggled the swingarm while pushing out the bolt, and it came out.

I'm assuming you have a centerstand on your bike. If so, there's another way to take the pressure off the bolt in the swingarm so you can remove the shock, if you aren't able to physically lift the wheel to take the pressure off the swingarm bolt. Go to the hardware store and get some of those wooden wedges they sell that help you install a door jamb. They usually come shrink wrapped in a package. Stack up some some small squares of plywood under the rear tire until the tire is close to sitting on them. Then use the wedges to fill up the remaining gap, until the wedges are touching the tire. If you drive the wedges closer together, it'll lift the tire with very little effort, until you relieve the weight on the swingarm bolt. You set the wedges, then pull on the bolt; if it's still too tight, tap the wedges a little closer together. If you go too far, pull the wedges a little further apart. With this method you don't have to hold the weight of the tire with one hand while manipulating the bolt with the other. It will also support the weight of the tire and hold it in the correct position for reinserting the bolt after you change the shock.

I use this wedge method when I change the rear tire on my bike. The wedge holds up the rear tire and takes the weight off the axle, so the axle is easy to remove, and it also supports the tire while it's meshed to the final drive so the tire is easier to pull free.

I've attached a photo of one of the wedges I use. It's just four of those hardware store wedges, glued edge to edge. Gluing them together like that creates more surface area for the tire to sit on.

View attachment 85886
 

RCinNC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2014
Messages
2,816
Location
North Carolina
The individual wedges are 7 3/4" long by 1 3/8" wide. If your hardware store doesn't carry them (they're called shims), then go to a home improvement center like Lowe's or Home Depot.
 

escapefjrtist

Searching for Dry Roads
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
1,418
Location
Snohomish WA
Would a 24" pry bar be long enough? my shock has been leaking oil for how long I don't know but I can't lift the rear wheel by hand.
For sure, just like 'Hawkxx linked, even a longer flat blade screwdriver will work. Until the lower shock bolt is removed you can't lift the rear wheel assembly as you're working against the shock spring.

~G
 

Nasho279

New Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2019
Messages
9
Location
Thornbury. Vic. 3071 Australia.
The individual wedges are 7 3/4" long by 1 3/8" wide. If your hardware store doesn't carry them (they're called shims), then go to a home improvement center like Lowe's or Home Depot.
Ordered 12Pk 8" Nelson wood shims from Gettycrafts Montgoemery NY free shipping to Australia. I've seen your method with the shims on a Revzilla video your picture sold me on the idea, how did you join them together did you use a biscuit joint or dowel?
 

tubebender

Active Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2012 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Jan 6, 2011
Messages
656
Location
Oceanside, CA
I just put a 1/2" block under the rear tire, then use a scissors jack under the skid plate to tip the bike back till the bolt slides out.

IMG_20130423_195320.jpg
 

jrusell

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2017
Messages
460
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Do yourself a favour and just take the wheel off first.
You are making your life way harder than it needs to be. Get rid of the weight and then you are just dealing with the swing arm weight which is next to nothing.
You also will have tons more room to work and it will go twice as fast on removal and installation.
 

fac191

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2016
Messages
2,826
Location
London
Am sure when people have done this before they reverse a bolt of make removal easier for next time.
 

Boris

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2013
Messages
2,051
Location
midlands. UK
Do yourself a favour and just take the wheel off first.
You are making your life way harder than it needs to be. Get rid of the weight and then you are just dealing with the swing arm weight which is next to nothing.
You also will have tons more room to work and it will go twice as fast on removal and installation.
This!
 

vnp514

Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
124
Location
Eastern Washington State
Make sure to set the preload to the lowest setting before you start.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Maybe a better way to say this would be to turn the preload knob all the way to the "Hard" position(2012 non-ES). Supported my bike on the center stand, block of wood under rear tire, scissor jack supporting the swing arm so I didn't have to worry about the swing arm dropping, and as mentioned, unscrew the wire "L" connector to give room to pull the shock.

Pete
 

Nasho279

New Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2019
Messages
9
Location
Thornbury. Vic. 3071 Australia.
So this is what I did, Bike on centre stand lifted rear wheel with pry bar found a garden stake placed under tyre perfect thickness with preload on soft undid top & bottom bolts then "L" bracket removed, tried to remove shock not enough space so unbolted front connector arm came straight out then I removed the spring with ratchet straps ( there is Youtube videos on how to ) my old shock was leaking replaced my spring on to a second hand shock and Bingo all done, everything is perfect, thanks to you all.
 
Top