Service manual

SUSPENSION 13-9
Shock Absorbers
Front Shock Absorber Inspection
•
Check the bushings [A] in the upper and lower pivots.
If bushings are worn, cracked, hardened, or otherwise
damaged, replace them.
Front Shock Absorber Scrapping
WARNING
Since the front shock absorber contains nitrogen
gas, do not incinerate or disassemble the front
shock absorber.
Before a front shock absorber is scrapped, drill a
hole at a point about 15 mm (0.59 in.) [A] up from the
bottom of the cylinder to release the nitrogen gas
completely. Wear safety glasses when drilling the
hole, as the gas may blow out bits of drilled metal
when the hole opens.
Rear Shock Absorber Preload Adjustmen t
The spring adjusting sleeve [A] on the rear shock ab-
sorber has 5 positions so that the spring can be adjusted
for different terrain and loading conditions. If the spring ac-
tion feels too soft or too stiff, adjust it in accordance with the
following table.
Spring Action
Position
Spring
Force
Setting Load Terr ain Speed
1 Weak
Soft
Light
Smooth
Low
2
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
3(STD)
4
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
5
Strong
Hard Heavy Rough High
•
Remove the axle guard.
•
Turn the adjusting sleeve on the rear shock absorber to
the desired position with the wrench.
Special Tool - Steering Stem Nut Wrench: 57001-1100