Disassembling Fox Shocks

[Triple_B]

Alright so I picked up some new shocks from another member on here. They are Fox snowmobile shocks. The spring retainer on one of the shocks is broken, and was being held on with a metal clamp. The member I bought them off of sent me a replacement retainer for no extra charge, and I'd like to replace the old with the new. I got the spring off, and the shock apart. In order for me to get the old retainer off and the new one on, I need to unscrew the top part of the shock. Problem is, I have nothing to hold down the shock now that the bottom part is off. I removed all of the nitrogen and oil in the shock. So I need some advice on how to get the top part of the shock off. Here are pics to show what I'm working with:

The disassembled shock:

Broken Retainer:

New Retainer:

The top of the shock that I need to remove, but is on there tight as balls

HELP!

 

[Triple_B]

BBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMP!!!! Come on! Someone help me out!

 

[scotj77]

I would try putting something through the eye of the shock that will stay still and grab the plastic nut with channel locks so you don't damage the cylinder and try to turn it like that

 

[scotj77]

possibly if your dads truck has a trailer hitch with a reciever. take the ball off and run something through there that will go through the eye of the shock...

 

[Triple_B]

I would try putting something through the eye of the shock that will stay still and grab the plastic nut with channel locks so you don't damage the cylinder and try to turn it like that

That part is easy! The old one will just slide over the shock body since its split. The problem is getting the new one on!

 

[scotj77]

no no no.... i mean use the nut to grab the shock by, so you don't damage the the cylinder.

 

[Triple_B]

no no no.... i mean use the nut to grab the shock by, so you don't damage the the cylinder.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.


That would need a tool capable of seriously squeezing that retainer. I'll consider that.

 

[Larry's Shee]

Try a strap or plumbers chain wrench

 

[YZ Otis]

Don't know if ya can see this scan from my book. There's a tool to grab the body which of course we don't have so you have to figure out how to get a grip on the body without damage

 

[Triple_B]

Don't know if ya can see this scan from my book. There's a tool to grab the body which of course we don't have so you have to figure out how to get a grip on the body without damage

"Position shock in vice with Body Clamp Tool"


I'll have to find one of these Body Clamp Tools. This helps a ton, I never knew there was such a thing until now. Thanks Otis!

 

[YZ Otis]

I bored a clamp outta a block of aluminum on the lathe. Ya might be able to bore a hole in hardwood & cut it in half to use as vise jaws ... Be very careful not to distort the tube as the floating & damping pistons slide in there. Might let it set in penetrating oil while you're thinking about it & carefully use a little heat when ya do it.