Penske preload adjustment stuck (sorta)

[Wistrick]

So here is my story...After getting my Penkse shock from Nick I had 50 mm of sag right out of the box...and that is how I have been running it tell last week when I added luggage to it...I cranked in 2 more turns of preload...So now the wife is gonna take a trip with me so I decided to put 2 more turn in and the adjuster won't budge (bent the wrench) ..So I tried turning the other way kinda a bitch but she moves..And I can crank it back in tell about the same point before it starts bending wrench again..Seems like a lot of threads left....Am I maxed out looks like lot of threads still there...

Thanks

Dan

PS anybody know best place to get a replacement wrench...

 

[creggur]

Are the threads fouled in some way? Dirt, grime, etc.?

First time I've seen a public report of someone having issues adjusting preload on a Penske....

Interested as the Ohlins hydraulic preload adjuster is the only thing swaying me in that direction in the aftermarket shock choices...

 

[Wistrick]

don't seem to be fouled up...lots of threads above and below the collar....I took both set screws out and still no joy....Seems to be harder than the on on my other bike fer sure...Even when it did move...Does Penske have a max setting????

Dan

 

[Karson]

i had this same problem but, i rode mostly gravel/offroad and my threads were dirty. i took the shock off and cleaned them, then let pb blaster soak in overnight. still no luck.

the preload tool is not the strongest, but even an allen wrench wouldn't do the trick as the aluminum preload collar holes started to give.

don't know what to tell you, but best of luck.

 

[carrot]

Did you try taking the weight off the shock by putting it on the center stand ?

 

[avc8130]

Did you loosen the set screws?

ac

 

[Wistrick]

Did you loosen the set screws?

ac

I completely removed both screws.....

 

[Wistrick]

Did you try taking the weight off the shock by putting it on the center stand ?

YES!!! still tougher than hell...

 

[Wistrick]

what would cause an issue like this???

 

[Karson]

What spring do you have installed?

 

[Big Blu]

Have you spoke to Nick about this?

Paul

 

[Wistrick]

What spring do you have installed?

850 lb spring

 

[tubebender]

Let me see if I have this straight. You can back off the preload but cannot increases it?

A couple of ideas. If you have the torrington bearing between the collar and the spring, then you may have thread galling.

If you don't have the bearing, then there may have been a sharp edge on the spring and it could have dug into the collar.

Either way, you need to remove the shock and and see if you can back the collar all the way off.

I've got some dry film lube on the way to spray on the threads of mine.

 

[Wistrick]

cleaned the threads with some degrease er and lubed with some dry film lube...Use 1/4 x 24" piece of rod stock and got it to adjust.. still a pain in the a$$ but doable....

Dan

 

[yz454]

Put it on the center stand,take the load off, then back the collar off 3 turns then lube , then tighten back up.

 

[Karson]

Glad to hear you got it somewhat handled.

Would still be interested in whether or not there's a torrington bearing in there maybe causing you issues (corrosion on the needle bearings, etc...)

 

[escapefjrtist]

Sounds to me like you've reached the end of what is easily adjustable with the Penske tool. The Penske tech I worked with recommends a maximum of 25mm of preload. More than that, need to move up to a heavier spring. When adjusting mine, anything over about 17mm - 20mm preload is pretty tough turning when on the bike.

FWIW, I've got two springs and swap to the heavy one for luggage / two-up mode.

YMMV

--G

 

[MotoPumps]

I talked to Nick yesterday because I ran into the same problem last season with my setup done by him. The answer is to move up one spring weight increment. In my case, that means from a 750 to an 850, IIRC.

I have basically left it where there is a reasonable balance between solo and two up as my wife and I commute on the Super Ten most days. I may get a heaver spring soon just to see where that puts things. Overall, pleased with my dealings with Nick at Stoltec.

Rob

 

[avc8130]

I talked to Nick yesterday because I ran into the same problem last season with my setup done by him. The answer is to move up one spring weight increment. In my case, that means from a 750 to an 850, IIRC.

I have basically left it where there is a reasonable balance between solo and two up as my wife and I commute on the Super Ten most days. I may get a heaver spring soon just to see where that puts things. Overall, pleased with my dealings with Nick at Stoltec.

Rob

50 lb/in is the "standard" increment.

ac

 

[avc8130]

So here is my story...After getting my Penkse shock from Nick I had 50 mm of sag right out of the box...and that is how I have been running it tell last week when I added luggage to it...I cranked in 2 more turns of preload...So now the wife is gonna take a trip with me so I decided to put 2 more turn in and the adjuster won't budge (bent the wrench) ..So I tried turning the other way kinda a bitch but she moves..And I can crank it back in tell about the same point before it starts bending wrench again..Seems like a lot of threads left....Am I maxed out looks like lot of threads still there...

Thanks

Dan

PS anybody know best place to get a replacement wrench...

Dan,

Out of curiosity, did you do any measuring other than your initial finding of 50mm rider sag?

After your 2 turns with the luggage, how much rider sag did you have?

ac