I am going to put my new shocks in on friday, just looking at the manual, it refers to using a SNAP-ON-ADAPTER, Part No. SRES24. as you can see below. Is this the way it has to be done or can I get a spanner onto the bolt?

Dave

REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS 2.26

GENERAL

The rear shock absorber on Softail motorcycles is not repairable.

If the shock absorber becomes damaged, it must be

replaced as an assembly.

NOTE

See 1.16 SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENTS for information

regarding setting up the suspension for carrying cargo.

REMOVAL

1. Using a suitable lift, support motorcycle under frame until

rear tire is slightly off the ground.

2. Remove bolt and washer (1) attaching shock to rear fork.

NOTE

Snap-on adapter, Part No. SRES24, is necessary to gain

access to shock bolt.

3. Remove flange locknut (5) and washer with grommet (4)

at front of shock.

INSTALLATION

1. See Figure 2-108. Place washer with grommet (4) inside

frame. Install bushing (3) over stud end of shock. Insert

stud end through keyed frame tab and loosely install the

flange locknut (5).

2. Coat shoulder of bolt (1) with LOCTITE ANTI-SEIZE and

threads of bolt with LOCTITE THREADLOCKER 243

(blue). Insert bolt and washer (1) through shock end.

Pivot shock absorber to align bolt with hole in rear fork.

CAUTION

Softail shock absorber bolt torquing procedure requires

the use of a SNAP-ON-ADAPTER, Part No. SRES24.

Since the adapter lengthens the torque wrench, torque

must be computed with a TORQUE COMPUTER, Snap-On

Part No. SS-306G.

3. Tighten rear shock hardware.

a. Tighten bolt and washer (1) at rear of shock to 115-

130 ft-lbs (155.9-176.2 Nm).

b. Tighten the flange locknut (5) to 32-39 ft-lbs (43.4-

52.9 Nm).

4. Adjust both shock absorbers equally. See 1.16 SUSPENSION

ADJUSTMENTS.

You can get a spanner on but you need to lift the bike up high enough on a stand so you can actually get leverage on the spanner if that makes sense. The adapter they are talking about lets you access the shocker bolts and attach a breaker bar. The shocker nuts are pretty tight and you will need a bit of force to undo them. I had my bike up on my repco bike lift and used an ordinary spanner and used my foot/leg to push on it to break em loose. Good luck. Pretty easy job once to get the bolts loose.

Thanks Wozza, I doing it on a mates lift so should be fine.
Dave

Are the shocks on a Softy at there softest when you can see all of the bolt thread or is that when they are at there firmest???

Yes I think so.

see below, out of the instrutions14 / ". Do not

6. Test ride the bike and

make further adjustmentsifnecessary.

Note: Adjusting the

preload does

not

change the shock

length. 

Note: Maximum preload is

reached when the locknut

and adjusting plate are

turned to the end of the

threads (no threads showing).

This distance is

approximately

 

turn the locknut past thelast

thread!

Fitted the shocks this morning, What a piss easy job, only took one beer. Now I have Chrome under the bike as well.

Dave