[okemos]

I searched but couldn't find an answer to this question:

How do you take off the shock spring? I want to remove the stock spring and install the heavier BBR spring but I can't budge the locknuts at the top of the spring. I have the top of the shock detached from the frame. I tried tapping the nuts with a screwdriver but all that did was mar the nuts. They didn't move.

Any hints? Do I need a spring compressor? Is there a way to make one out of stuff around the garage? Need help fast.

[Asmith]

Put the bike up on a stand or at least make sure there is no weight on the rear wheel.

Spray any type of Thread Breaker such as PB all over the threads around the spanners - loosen the top spanner and move it up using a hammer and a punch or drift.

Then reach in and GRAB THE SHOCK SPRING AND TURN IT BY HAND!

Most times it'll spin the bottom spanner and loosen the spring. The spring is much larger so you have a good grip and pretty good leverage to get it to spin on there.

Be sure to put the LOCK the top spanner down tight to the lower spanner on the shock when you're done.