Spanner wrench for a Penske Sport Shock?

[markmartin]

Does anyone use, or know of a spanner wrench or other device that will efficiently turn the "ride height adjuster" (Penske's term) at the top of the spring on a Penske sport shock.  The
"ride height adjuster" is the threaded washer with all the holes drilled in it's perimeter as shown in the picture below.

I'd like to be able to adjust the shock's rider sag when going from solo - to 2-up  - and back in an efficient manner.   The adjuster rod supplied with the shock (which is just that.... a rod) does work, but so slowly it's aggravating.

Any ideas are welcomed!


TIA

[rktmanfj]

Like this?

http://www.traxxion.com/RideHeightWrench_Penske.aspx

Or, is this what you really wanted?

http://www.traxxion.com/PreloadAdjustmentStick.aspx

[markmartin]

Yup, I've got the 'preload adjuster stick' that came with the shock, but that is the tool that I am looking to upgrade.  It works, but painstakingly slow.

As for the ride height adjuster wrench, I called the washer the 'ride height adjuster' because of the picture from the Penske below calls it that--that or I'm reading the schematic incorrectly?  --#2 in the picture--- Sorry if i"m creating a terminology puzzle here.  The washer that pushes down on the spring is what I want to move up or down with a better wrench.



Maybe some sort of strap wrench similar to a oil filter wrench would work???  Or a spanner wrench from/for a different application???

I emailed Mike H. at Penske and Don at Traxxion and neither one of them had an option beyond the 'preload adjuster stick'.

[Pat Conlon]

.....The washer that pushes down on the spring is what I want to move up or down with a better wrench.....

Mark, I know of no such animal, but instead of a better wrench.....Traxxion sells some cool Torrington bearings which fit between the collar and spring. Even with extra heavy shock springs,  this bearing makes turning that collar a snap. Be sure to get the shock sock to keep this area nice and clean.

http://www.traxxion.com/ShockSpringTorringtonBearingKit.aspx

Cheers

[axiom-r]

Get the Torrington Bearing.  Pat suggested it to me when I got my new Penske and I went for it.  I had seen the kit before but did not realize its huge value until I attempted to preload a 1200lb spring with the tiny little rod provided by Penske.   The Bearing kit makes is sooooo easy.  Honestly, I dont understand why this isn't a stock component for every shock.....

You will be completely satisfied-

tim

[markmartin]

Pat, Tim,

Perfect. Who'd a thunk it?  I'll order one tonight.


Pat, I'm assuming that the 'sock' doesn't interfere with getting to the collar?  I have noticed, and Mike H at Penske did mention, that the collar gets harder to turn as that area gets dirty.  Not to over-think this, but I was tentative about installing the sock on the new shock when I got it, thinking that after it gets wet, it would hold moisture around the shock and consequently cause the shock to rust prematurely.  If this has not been a problem in your experience, I would probably get this (sock) also.


Thanks!

Mark

[racerman_27410]

Pat, Tim,

Perfect. Who'd a thunk it?  I'll order one tonight.


Pat, I'm assuming that the 'sock' doesn't interfere with getting to the collar?  I have noticed, and Mike H at Penske did mention, that the collar gets harder to turn as that area gets dirty.  Not to over-think this, but I was tentative about installing the sock on the new shock when I got it, thinking that after it gets wet, it would hold moisture around the shock and consequently cause the shock to rust prematurely.  If this has not been a problem in your experience, I would probably get this (sock) also.


Thanks!

Mark

the shock sock is held together with velcro easy enough to open it up to make your preload adjustments then seal it back up.... the shock sock actually keeps the shock from getting wet and grungy if you ride in the rain.... you would be surprised how vulnerable the shaft seal can be after getting it covered in road grime.

IMO the torrington bearing and shock sock are must haves in order to protect your investment and ride on!


KOokaloo!

Frank

[Pat Conlon]

Yep, what Frank said....

Other than the cost of the bike and the 1349 engine, the Penske is the single most expensive investment I've made on my FJ's.

Get the sock, it's chump change.

[markmartin]

Good advice.  I'll add the sock to the purchase, and seeing that I plan to keep the FJ forever, it sounds like cheap insurance.  It is an awfully nice shock.

[racerman_27410]

i'll admit i hated covering mine up cause it truley is a beautiful piece of functional art.... but it's worn the sock since day one and is still going strong now 10 years later.


KOokaloo!

[markmartin]

Back to square one I think.  This is the email I got back from Dan at Traxxion Dynamics:


Mark,
Penske includes a Torrington Bearing on shocks with heavy spring rates, so there should be one on there already. If you look between the spring perch and the spring you should see a flat washer on each side of the bearing. If you would still like the shock sock, (which is a good idea) I can send it via flat rate USPS for $5.99.

Thanks,
Dan


I looked at the shock and sure enough, it appears that there is one there.  I cleaned up the shock and tried to get some 'Tri-Flow' to the bearing, then turned the collar with the adjuster rod but with no noticeable improvement.  It seems to be a matter of leverage, so I'm going to try to find a longer adjuster rod (Yup, insert joke here)   and see if that works any better.

Blurry picture of my shock with what I'm assuming is the Torrington Bearing between the spring and
the collar.  And yes, I do loosen the set screw that locks the collar before turning the collar.

[Pat Conlon]

That's good to know. Makes sense, it should be oem. 

Back in 2004 I bought my Penskes thru Lindemann Engineering and they did not have the torrington bearing. A flat washer yes, a bearing no.

Pat

[axiom-r]

Huh.  My shock was a custom build direct from Penske but the spring started at 1100 pounds and the torrington bearing was not included.  Are you certain that isn't a stack of three washers?  With the bearing in it still takes some effort- but without it I was bending the rod....

tim

[markmartin]

>>.  Are you certain that isn't a stack of three washers? <<

tim  

No, I'm not certain, but that did cross my mind.  I wouldn't be able to be 100% certain unless I take the shock of and remove the collar.  I did stick a screw driver in between the washers and there does seem to be some space around the middle 'washer' , which leads me to believe that it is the torrington bearing.  

It doesn't bend the adjuster stick when I turn the collar, however it is hard to turn and the stick is short and hard to hold and to maneuver, or get any leverage on it.

I sprayed some Tri-flow the other night, on what I believe to be the bearing.  Maybe that has had time to soak in a little.  I'm going to try and make a  longer adjuster stick this weekend and see if that makes turning the collar any easier and any quicker.  If it doesn't, I may yank the shock out and remove any doubt about the presence or absence of a bearing.

I'm guessing from previous adjustments that I will need 1 to 1-1/2 revolutions on the collar to get the sag right for two-up riding, and reverse when going back to solo, so it's not like I've got that far to go.  That said, I want it to go easily.

[RichBaker]

You do have her up on the center stand, don't you?