How to replace a shock absorber?

[Andy_Pagin]

Bike's a 2003 Fzs600 Fazer. Back ends getting a bit bouncy so I think a new shock absorber is needed. How difficult is this to change? Any special tools needed?
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Itchy]

Is the 2003 model similar to the 2000 model?

Sandra changed her rear shock oh hers and it didn't require any special tools I remember helping her out on it.

I changed it on my XT600 and my CBRs as long as you don't need to remove the swing arm completely or split the shock (spring replacement) you can just undo the bolts on the top and bottom.

The swing arm requires special castle sockets to undo.

It's much easier with an extra pair of hands though.
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[el_oso]

one of the easier 'big' jobs you can do, especially if swapping like for like.

In terms of tools, you'll just need a socket set/allen keys to undo the four shock bolts, and a jack or rope.

What you'll need to do is find a way to support the rear of bike. If you've a garage hang it from the rafters. Can always use blocks of wood if you can lift it onto them.

Make sure that you crack/loosen off the shock bolts while it's still on the ground.
Support the rear
Fully remove the bolts holding the shock, usually bottom first.
New shock in, top bolt in, align rest of assembly.
Job done
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[MarJay]

My KR1S shock was a piece of P*ss even though the airbox sits over the shock mount, and the lower shock bolt seized in place. I lifted the back end with the ABBA stand, had to remove the airbox, but once that was done it was so simple. The hardest part was finding a piece of wood the right size to lift the rear wheel so I could get the lower bolt in place. With an assistant it would have been childs play.
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[DrSnoosnoo]

Yeah, I did it on the ZZR600.

Bolt at the top and bottom of the shock typically. My tactic was loosen both, on centre stand, stuff a boot under the rear wheel, remove bolts and remove foot.

Get new shock, put top in first, lift wheel onto boot, bottom bolt in.
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[Arfa__]

Dead easy on Fazer. Did mine couple of years ago, admittedly at OMC with help of some expert staff.

You'll really appreciate the centre stand on the Fazer here. Stick it on stand, remove side panels, can't recall if I removed rear wheel and hugger, may have done just to get better access. Then literally just unbolt it top 'n bottom. Top bolts will likely need an extender/universal joint on sprocket to reach in. Good plan to buy a replacement bearing for bottom to stick on at same time, only a few quid from Fowler's. Usual deal with bearing grease / copper slip / correct torque etc on refitting.

Two pairs of hands certainly helps to brace nut/bolt on t'other side and support swingarm (but you can probably prop this up with some wood), especially on refitting new shock.
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[stinkwheel]

It's not ALWAYS a piece of piss. You should try it on a single side swingarm VFR. It lifts out up through a hatch in the bottom of the battery box.
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[ThatDippyTwat]

[grr666]

Did the mono shock on the scooter. It blew its oil seals so I needed a new one. Complete unit with spring.
Had a lot of plastic to remove to get to the nuts, but otherwide a doddle. I strapped the rear wheel over the saddle
with a ratchet strap to keep it up on the swingarm so I could easily remove/replace the bolts with out lifting the back end.
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[Skudd]

My Varadero 1000 would have been easier if I had smaller hands, longer fingers ans skin thicker than a Rhino's, other than that it was easy.
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[Andy_Pagin]

Did it. Single handed as per Haynes. Dead easy. Helped a lot having a bottle Jack to raise the swing arm, and a couple of Next catalogues to rest the tyre on.

https://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu84/anadin96/20180901_140648.jpg
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer