How to Change the Rear Shock on a Santa Cruz Heckler
Replacing a rear shock on a mountain bike, including the Santa Cruz Heckler, can improve the bike's handling while climbing and descending, and it's not an overly difficult task to accomplish. When selecting the new shock for your Heckler, keep in mind what it is that you want to gain by replacing your old shock. Ask yourself what you liked and disliked about your old shock. There are many options to choose from, and shocks don't come cheap, ranging anywhere from $300 to $600.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
First, make sure you know the correct size for your rear shock. According the Santa Cruz Bicycles website, the Santa Cruz Heckler uses an 8.5-inch-by-2.5-inch rear shock, with mounting hardware that is 22 millimeters wide with an 8 millimeter through-hole. This is the most important information you need when buying your new shock because shocks come in many different sizes to accommodate different bike frames. Whether you buy your shock online or in a bike shop, write this information down so you don't buy the wrong size shock.
-
2
Use your Allen wrench to loosen and remove the bolt that attaches the shock to the top cross-bar mount of the bike frame. Then remove the bolt that secures the shock to the swing arm mount of the bike frame.
If the shock is still attached to the frame with the two bolts removed, wiggle it a bit until it falls loose and out of the frame. Don't use a hammer or other tools to beat or pry the shock loose because that could damage your frame or shock.
-
-
3
Once the shock is free from the bike frame, clean off any dirt or grease that is stuck on the shock mounts. This will give you a clean starting point for your new shock.
-
4
Mount the shock. If the shock has any side chambers or adjustment valves that will be blocked by the top tube, make sure they are facing down once the shock is mounted. First, line up the chamber part of the shock with the holes on the mounting bracket that's attached to the cross bar. Once the holes are aligned, slide the bolt through and tighten it with just a few hand turns.
-
5
Now line up the bottom of the shock with the mounts that are attached to the swing arm by moving the swing arm up and down. Once the holes are lined up, slide the bolt through and tighten all the way. Then tighten the cross-bar bolt the rest of the way as well.
-
6
Adjust the new shock in accordance to your weight. It's best to have a bicycle mechanic do this so you don't damage the shock; however, if you decide to do this you will need the shock manufacturer's set-up guide. A set-up guide should be available on the shock manufacturer's website, and most likely your new shock came with a set-up guide that gives detailed instructions on how to add air to your shock. Just follow the directions and you should be ready to take your bike for a spin.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
It's always best to have a bike mechanic set up your shock for you because too much or too little air pressure can destroy a shock. If you do it yourself be sure to follow the manufacturer's guidelines.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit mountain bike image by JCVStock from Fotolia.com
