2008 October 23: Rear shocks (1.75 hours)

Updated: 2008 October 23

Disassembled the rear shocks (down to the damper...the damper is a permanently sealed unit).
Dampers felt good. I removed all the old paint with the wire wheel and then gave them a coat of primer and gloss black paint.
Aluminum adjusters just needed to be cleaned up. I gave them a bit of a polish, too.
Top and bottom chrome spring caps are in terrific shape. A quick cleaning is all they required.
The chrome springs were in nice shape, but there was a bit of surface rust on the inside of the coils (like they all get with use). The problem with cleaning up the inside of the spring is that it is very difficult to reach. I've found a solution that works very well:
- Wrap a piece of 0000 Steel Wool around one of the coils.
- Next, wrap a folded plastic bag around the outside of the steel wool, sandwiching the steel wool between the plastic bag and the coil.
- Now, when you pull the plastic bag and move it around the coils, you'll be pressing the steel wool into the chrome and steel wool will last much longer than if used without a plastic bag.
I'll wait a few days to let the paint cure some before reassembly.