Phone 253-863-7771 253-891-6210

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

Tools and Materials Needed:

  • 1-1/2” Wrench or Adjustable Crescent (for Perch)
  • 1-1/8” Socket (for Hex Nut)
  • 7/16” Open End Wrench
  • Hunter Vice Jaws (Optional)
/
  • 1/16”, 5/64”, and 1/8” Allen Wrenches
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Hunter Shock Oil
  • Valve Core Removal Tool (tire)

  • Replacement O-Rings (As Needed)
/
  • Blunt and Sharp-Ended Tools

1. Using the 7/16” and 1-1/2” Wrenches, remove the Rod End, Perch, Spring, Adjustment Collar, and O- Ring Travel Indicator / 2. Remove the Valve Core from the Gas Valve, using a valve core removal tool.
3. Apply masking tape to Shock Body to protect the threads. / 4. Restrain shock body (Hunter Vice Jaws recommended). Compress shaft fully, place wrench on 1 1/8" hex nut and give it a quick 'pop' to loosen nut from the shock body. (prevent turning the shock body in vice jaws and galling the threads).

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

5. Carefully remove the shaft and nut. / 6. Pour out the old shock oil.
7. Use a blunt ended tool to fully compress the floating piston (inside the shock body). / 7A. Using a blunt-ended tool to fully compress the floating piston (inside the shock body).
8. Clean the interior of shock body with paper towel(s) – DO NOT USE ANY CLEANERS OR OTHER CHEMICALS! Paper towels only! / 9. Using the 1/16” Allen Wrench, loosen the allen screws on both sides of the 1-1/8” nut.

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

10. With the shaft still in place, use needle-nose pliers to carefully unthread the shaft guide. / 11. The shaft should remain in place and be removed with the shaft guide.
12. Using a sharp-ended tool, carefully remove the three (3) O-rings from inside the nut. / 13. Clean the shaft and piston with paper towel(s).
NO CLEANERS OR OTHER CHEMICALS!
14. Inspect the shaft for scratches or damage. If scratched or damaged, replace! Place the shaft guide on the shaft with the plier slots facing the piston. / 15. Critical Step– Place the 3 rings on the shaft - the regular O-Ring sandwiched between two concave O-rings – with the concave sides towards the regular O-ring.

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

16. Apply a light coat of shock oil to the shaft and the O-rings. / 17. Place the 1-1/8” nut on the shaft.
18. After pushing the O-rings into the nut, use needle-nose pliers to carefully thread the shaft guide into the nut until snug against the o-rings. Do not over tighten. / 19. Check for proper tightness of the shaft guide. Run the nut up and down the shaft. You should feel a very light friction. The nut should move smoothly up and down the shaft. If too much friction is felt, loosen the shaft guide slightly. If no friction is felt, tighten the shaft guide slightly.
20. Critical Step - Evenly tighten the allen screws on each side of the 1-1/8” nut. Tighten one side a little, then the other, alternating until both sides are evenly finger “snug” – Do not over tighten. / 21. Using the 1/8” allen wrench, remove the bleeder screw from the 1-1/8” nut. Be careful not to lose the nylon washer under the screw head. This washer is a critical seal.

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

22. Apply a light coat of shock oil to the outer surfaces of the piston. / 23. Fill the shock body with oil to about 3/8” below the threaded area. Hunter Shock oil, Mobil DTE 11 is preferred. May use 5-weight motorcycle fork oil.
24. With the shaft extended, carefully place the piston inside the shock body, and screw the
1-1/8” nut into the shock body, and tighten finger tight. Be prepared to absorb or catch overflow oil. Don’t agitate the oil – the goal is to NOT create any air bubbles. / 25. Keeping the shock body in a vertical position, slowly push in shaft into the shock body while rotating slowly as it goes down – this rotation helps any air bubbles rise to the surface. Do not pull the shaft back out – this will draw unwanted air bubbles into the shock oil.
26. Reinstall the nylon washer and bleeder screw, snug tight. / 27. Check the tightness of the 1-1/8” nut with the
1-1/8” socket.

HUNTER SHOCK MAINTENANCE/REBUILD GUIDE

28. Reinstall and tighten the Valve Core into the Gas Valve. / 29. Charge the shock with 40-50 pounds pressure. The shaft should extend from the shock with charging.
30. Reinstall the O-ring travel indicator (used to show maximum travel of the shock during use). / 31. Thread the Perch on to the end of the shaft. Seat the perch, then back off 1/8 to 1/4 turn. (this helps prevent damage to the shaft from impact during racing)
32. With the Perch still 1/8 to 1/4 turn backed off from the bottom of the threads, tighten the rod end against the Perch (snug tight). / 33. Reinstall the spring and adjustment collar. Put a few dabs of Anti-Seize compound below the collar before threading it down the shock body.

Go for the Gold!