Author Topic: Noleen spring compressor (Read 5210 times)

stangman675 · « **on:** March 30, 2011, 03:10:57 pm »

Does anyone know of an inexpensive spring compressor that will fit the Noleen smart shocks? I don't really want to drop $50 on one since I'll probably only use it a couple times. I was planning on making one but I figured I'd check with you guys first.

Willie_B · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2011, 03:54:36 pm »

What would you need a spring compressor for?

w2zero · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2011, 04:10:40 pm »

Just unscrew the preload nut and slide the bottom spring keeper out and slide the spring off. That's assuming you already have the shock off the bike.

stangman675 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2011, 05:43:36 pm »

That doesn't work on the smart shocks. There isn't enough thread because of the brain.

Willie_B · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2011, 06:37:44 pm »

Guess I should get the one I have out and look at it before I post. I have not used a Smartshcok. It just came with some other parts I got.

stangman675 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2011, 06:57:38 pm »

I wasn't too impressed when I figured it out either. If they had designed it with another 1/2" of thread, it would have been fine. Guess I'll have to try to rig something up.

Colin · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2011, 03:04:20 am »

I've used NR-5 Smartshocks and replaced the coils by hand!
From memory, sometimes you need to compress it a bit by hand but I've never needed a spring compressor!

Col.

fyrstormer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2011, 09:18:33 am »

The TS is probably thinking of automotive struts, which require spring compressors in order to assemble and disassemble the spring mounts. Fortunately, bicycle shock springs are not under as much pressure, and can be installed and adjusted by hand.

stangman675 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2011, 10:00:13 am »

I finally got them both apart. The shock with the 200lb spring was not an issue. The one with the 250 spring was a different story. The spring is about 1/2" longer. I managed to get it apart but it's going to be interesting trying to put it back together.

Colin, did you have those springs wound or did you buy them off the shelf somewhere?

simonlovell99 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2011, 01:05:58 pm »

I have got a noleen nr2 which needs a new spring. I tried to put 500lb rockshox one on. 10mm too big, darn it. Try to compress that by hand, um like no.

Got another spring on the way next weekend, a noleen one

Colin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:46:33 am »

Quote from: stangman675 on April 04, 2011, 10:00:13 am

Colin, did you have those springs wound or did you buy them off the shelf somewhere?

off the shelf from someone in Germany a few years ago, I've managed to break one front one and one rear one with stress fractures, but they lasted at least three years each, so I was happy.

Col.

fyrstormer · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:02:29 am »

Quote from: stangman675 on April 04, 2011, 10:00:13 am

I finally got them both apart. The shock with the 200lb spring was not an issue. The one with the 250 spring was a different story. The spring is about 1/2" longer. I managed to get it apart but it's going to be interesting trying to put it back together.

Colin, did you have those springs wound or did you buy them off the shelf somewhere?

It doesn't matter how long the spring is, so long as it physically fits on the shock. If the shock with the 250lb spring was hard to disassemble, it means the previous owner tightened the pre-load collar too much. If they needed to pre-load the shock spring so much that the threads bound-up, what they really needed was a stiffer spring to begin with; there should never be any reason to pre-load a bicycle shock more than can be achieved by hand.

stangman675 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:44:45 am »

Quote from: fyrstormer on April 06, 2011, 07:02:29 am

Quote from: stangman675 on April 04, 2011, 10:00:13 am
I finally got them both apart. The shock with the 200lb spring was not an issue. The one with the 250 spring was a different story. The spring is about 1/2" longer. I managed to get it apart but it's going to be interesting trying to put it back together.

Colin, did you have those springs wound or did you buy them off the shelf somewhere?

It doesn't matter how long the spring is, so long as it physically fits on the shock. If the shock with the 250lb spring was hard to disassemble, it means the previous owner tightened the pre-load collar too much. If they needed to pre-load the shock spring so much that the threads bound-up, what they really needed was a stiffer spring to begin with; there should never be any reason to pre-load a bicycle shock more than can be achieved by hand.

I'm not trying to start an argument or anything but the length of the spring most certainly does matter. The preload had nothing to do with it. With the preload backed all the way off, there was still tension on the spring and it is an NB2L spring which is what K2 recommends for the smart shocks. I'm not sure why but the 225 and 250 springs that i have sitting here are longer than the 200 and they are all NB2Ls.

fyrstormer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2011, 12:00:09 am »

If the there was still pressure on the spring, then the preload wasn't backed all the way off. Unfortunately, looking at the pictures that were added to the thread, there is no way to relieve all the preload pressure on a Smart Shock, at least not without installing a shorter spring. That's bad design.

With a "dumb shock" that doesn't have bits sticking off the side and blocking the spring, as long as the spring fits on the shock it doesn't matter how long it is, because you can adjust the collar until the spring is just barely held in-place. That's what I was referring to.

Spokes · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2011, 11:21:46 am »

I can back this up as i have sstripped down a front and rear NR5 smart shock this month and the preload adjuster wont back off enough to clear the spring. The front is not so bad but the rear takes a heck of a fight to get the spring out with your bare hands.
I found swearing and threatening to replace it with a Risse helped alot. It gave in, in the end.

Chris

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Author Topic: Noleen spring compressor (Read 5210 times)