Removing the Q559 shock

[kdc]

Any advice on removing the OEM shock on the Quest 559? I ordered an Kind Air Shock as a replacement because mine was shot, but I can't seem to remove it from the bike. The bolts turn, but do not come out. What am I doing wrong??

Thanks in advance!

Kevin

 

[benphyr]

Yup. Just did the same thing myself including the head scratching. The lower "bolt" on my QX100 is actually a sleeve on one side and a bolt on the other so you need two 5mm allen (hex) keys. If I recall the bolt side is on the right side of the bike and can probably be loosened by itself if the pressure is just right to hold the sleeve in place. Once the bolt is loose back it off all the way and then put it back in 1 turn, then use it to push the sleeve out the other way as much as you can and it should come out, it might be stiff from years of resting in that position. A longer same size bolt can be used to force it out if necessary. (Using the bolt instead of just ramming a screwdriver or something in to push the sleeve out saves the threads on the inside of the sleeve. A pencil would be much less damaging also.)

I actually bought a long handle T shaped 5mm allen for this purpose but once I had it out realized that I could have done it with just a couple regular L shaped ones because the bolt only requires the low-torque side allen so you can stick the long end of the allen into the lower pivot of the shock. (The bolt has blue thread-lock so it is not going anywhere.)

The bolts that come with the Kind shock are lighter however I found they aren't an exact fit so I had to re-use the Cruzbike hardware.

I started with the absolute lowest pressures in the instructions for the Kind Shock (100psi normal and 65psi rebound) and still use that. (I am about 138lbs=63kg)

Hope that helps.

 

[billyk]

Yup, what @benphyr said.

The only thing I would add is to put a bit of grease on the bolt sleeves when you put them back. That will make this process easier next time, but more importantly will help to quiet any potential squeaks as the swingarm moves.

 

[kdc]

@benphyr - is there anything you don't know about Cruzbikes??

Thanks for the help. I will get another 5mm allen and work on it later today. And I'll also pick up some grease to put the bolts back. Good idea @billyk

I'll report back when I get it going. Thanks!

 

[benphyr]

@benphyr - is there anything you don't know about Cruzbikes??

I am glad if anything that I know is helpful.

There are many who know way more than I do. I try to help with what I know so they don’t get inundated.

 

[kdc]

So...almost there! But, but, but...

Got the original shock removed thanks to the tips here! And also realized I bought the wrong length Kind Shock so I ordered the shorter one and it came today. So far so good except I can't seem to line up the hole for the old hardware in the bottom where lower bolt came out. Any advice? Driving me (once again) mad.

 

[benphyr]

So...almost there! But, but, but...

Got the original shock removed thanks to the tips here! And also realized I bought the wrong length Kind Shock so I ordered the shorter one and it came today. So far so good except I can't seem to line up the hole for the old hardware in the bottom where lower bolt came out. Any advice? Driving me (once again) mad.

Several comments/questions that may or may not help:
-The small part of the shock goes down like in this picture: https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/quest-2-559-upgraded-to-qx100-900-seattle-area.12454/#post-146340
-try rotate the whole thing front to back - I had a small part of the shock getting in the way of a weld and pushing the shock just out of possible alignment. I gained 1mm when I rotated it which was enough.
-put the bottom in first and when there is no weight on the bike so you can wiggle the shock up and down and around to line it up. The threads of the sleeve should line up centered so you may be able to see them from the other side or you may be able to get a regular pencil in there to help guide.
-putting the whole bike on its side and pushing the sleeve up from the bottom may help you be able to see what is going on.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Opik]

I've also want to change the shock, thing is it's longer and the space between the securing place is different.

Think need a spacer for the top and to cut the almunium holding place shorter at the bottom

 

[billyk]

I've also want to change the shock, thing is it's longer and the space between the securing place is different.

Think need a spacer for the top and to cut the almunium holding place shorter at the bottom

Hmm ... Not sure I fully understand what you're proposing, but I'd be very wary of any mods of these mounts. Those are high stress parts of the bike, constantly being worked, and an almost-certain crash if they fail. Sounds like a very bad idea.

Did you mean you bought a shock with different mounts? That's surprising. Why not get the Kind RR1 air shock that's been much discussed in these forums? It's a much better ride, and pretty cheap (i think less than $80). Search the forums for "kind shock".

 

[benphyr]

You may be trying to mount it upside down or front to back if you have the right shock? Or you might have bought the wrong size (length) because the old Quest and QX100 used a smaller size than the current Q45

 

[ChaleJake]

I just installed the Kind shock on my Q559. No real problem. I did use a rubber mallet to coax the shock into the correct spot. It is crazy light in comparison with the original shock. I basically oriented the shock the same way the original shock was oriented. You just have to pay attention to the angle and line it all up.

 

[super slim]

I just installed the Kind shock on my Q559. No real problem. I did use a rubber mallet to coax the shock into the correct spot. It is crazy light in comparison with the original shock. I basically oriented the shock the same way the original shock was oriented. You just have to pay attention to the angle and line it all up.

You have learnt from the Mallet master!!!

 

[Opik]

Hmm ... Not sure I fully understand what you're proposing, but I'd be very wary of any mods of these mounts. Those are high stress parts of the bike, constantly being worked, and an almost-certain crash if they fail. Sounds like a very bad idea.

Did you mean you bought a shock with different mounts? That's surprising. Why not get the Kind RR1 air shock that's been much discussed in these forums? It's a much better ride, and pretty cheap (i think less than $80). Search the forums for "kind shock".

bought the mounts, ( an mtb or air ahock shop can give you that) and changed the bike geometry as it is longer.

handling is different but I kinda like it as it is more upright so more visibilty, see more and being seen. also the foot goes lower so no hard effort climbing as the legs are still lower than the heart