Rear shock won't hold air pressure

[RandomRider]

New guy here and my first post. Take it easy on me. Lol.

 

I've seen the thread(s) talking about the oil seal failing and my symtoms are a bit different. My shock works fine and no evidence of oil leaking, but I can't get my shock to hold air more than a couple of hours. Is this common and I just missed the thread? Thanks in advance

[Freebird]

That is actually very uncommon. I don't think I've ever heard of one that doesn't hold air even after they start leaking oil. It is possible that somebody blew the seal out by using an air hose at a gas station or at home to put air in the shock. It should be done with a hand pump and preferably something like the progressive shock pump with a zero loss chuck.

 

It is also possible that it is leaking around the Schrader valve where you put the air in. First thing I would do is to use some soapy water to check the Shrader valve and both ends of the hose to see if it is leaking there.

 

Never use a hose on an air compressor to put air in the shock or the forks. Especially the forks. They are very low volume.

[RandomRider]

I do use my air compressor, but the regulator is turned way down to 50psi. I guess a new shock seal kit is going to be needed. May have to check about getting one of those progressive pumps.

 

I never use air in the forks. I just use the Schrader valve to bleed air out.

[videoarizona]

I do use my air compressor, but the regulator is turned way down to 50psi. I guess a new shock seal kit is going to be needed. May have to check about getting one of those progressive pumps.

 

I never use air in the forks. I just use the Schrader valve to bleed air out.

 

First, welcome to our group!

 

As @Freebird said, use a hand pump.

The volume of the shocks are so small that it would be difficult to use a compressor even with the regulator turned way down. Less than a half a second would probably fill the rear!

 

Front shocks take maximum 7lbs

Rear takes 57 lbs max.

 

If you don't have the manuals, they are available to members in the technical sections.

 

Do consider joining up. $12/year is nothing for the resources available here....

 

Again, welcome and enjoy your Venture!

[Freebird]

To my knowledge, there is not a seal kit for the shocks. We have a member who figured out how to replace the oil seal but at this point, I've heard of no repair for the air seal. Maybe it's the same seal? Not sure. I know that they have leaked to the point of having no oil but still hold air so I doubt that it is the same seal.

[RandomRider]

First, welcome to our group!

 

As @Freebird said, use a hand pump.

The volume of the shocks are so small that it would be difficult to use a compressor even with the regulator turned way down. Less than a half a second would probably fill the rear!

 

Front shocks take maximum 7lbs

Rear takes 57 lbs max.

 

If you don't have the manuals, they are available to members in the technical sections.

 

Do consider joining up. $12/year is nothing for the resources available here....

 

Again, welcome and enjoy your Venture!

 

I know about the volume and not to just leave the air hose hooked up. Kinda like the first time you inflated the tires on your 10speed at a gas station and blew the tube out. Every dealership I ever worked at, used the shop air to set the rear shock regardless of brand.

 

The bike is new to me, and it's been a while since I said goodbye to my old '90 Venture Royale.

 

So now, I need to hunt down a repair kit for the shock.

[videoarizona]

I know about the volume and not to just leave the air hose hooked up. Kinda like the first time you inflated the tires on your 10speed at a gas station and blew the tube out. Every dealership I ever worked at, used the shop air to set the rear shock regardless of brand.

 

The bike is new to me, and it's been a while since I said goodbye to my old '90 Venture Royale.

 

So now, I need to hunt down a repair kit for the shock.

 

Yea..I blew out my 1st bike tire that way.....expensive lesson for a kid with a paper route!

 

Aha! So you've had a Venture...Great!

 

You might PM @dfitzbiz here on forum. He's taken the 2nd Gen shocks apart and may be able to help you....

 

Good luck...let us know how it goes...

[dfitzbiz]

Random, welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your shock problem. I do repair these shocks but only the Oring just above the bottom clevis. If your not leaking oil then you have an air leak somewhere else. Most likely it will be the seal between the ram and the housing, the one that is about 4" dia. I haven't replaced that seal and I'm sure there is not a seal replacement for this shock. Yamaha made it so it could not be disassembled (see my tag line below). Please don't use an air compressor to add air to these shocks, you can't control it enough to avoid damage to a seal somewhere. I have attached a pic of the disassemble shock.

The places to check for an air leak are:

1. Just above the bottom clevis (I can replace this oring).

2. Between the ram and housing (visible after removing the rubber boot)

3. The seal between the top mounting lug and the black housing (there is an Oring in there)

4. Where the air hose meets the housing (another oring)

5. The schrader valve.

 

Let us know what you find.