Penske Shock Leak

[RossKean]

I guess this isn't my year for suspension! Had problems with fork leaks in June and now my recently refurbished Penske has just deposited a small puddle of oil on the garage floor. It has only been about 20,000 miles since the shock was done.

The shock now has a total of ~140,000 miles on it and I was wondering what luck people have had with these shocks at high(er) mileage? At this point, is it likely to be more than cleaning and changing out seals etc.? I run the shock with a "shock sock" to reduce the amount of road grit it is exposed to.

 

[Ignacio]

It has only been about 20,000 miles since the shock was done.
The shock now has a total of ~140,000 miles on it....

And what's your service history on the bearings...especially the front relay arm? Have you actually hoisted your bike up, removed the centerstand bolts, removed the relay arm, and greased/serviced the bearings?

If not and you're 140,000 miles, I can tell you with a pretty solid degree of certainty that your shock is only a symptom.

Ig

 

[RossKean]

It has only been about 20,000 miles since the shock was done.

The shock now has a total of ~140,000 miles on it....

And what's your service history on the bearings...especially the front relay arm? Have you actually hoisted your bike up, removed the centerstand bolts, removed the relay arm, and greased/serviced the bearings?
If not and you're 140,000 miles, I can tell you with a pretty solid degree of certainty that your shock is only a symptom.

Ig

Relay arm has been recently serviced; at least the middle and rear bearings. Did not take the centerstand off to access the front bearing but I verified that it is moving freely. Same with swingarm - not dismantled but moves freely. Those items are on this winter's list along with the next valve check and a bunch of other (routine) stuff. With respect to the shock, I wanted to know whether people have found it necessary to replace "hard" parts after a lot of miles - shaft, bushings, piston etc.

 

[Ignacio]

Did not take the centerstand off to access the front bearing but I verified that it is moving freely. Same with swingarm - not dismantled but moves freely.

I'm telling you that IS the problem that's torching your shock!

I made that mistake before. Mine would move 'freely' too in my hands, but when I took it off--it was corroded and simply metal on metal movement. It was totally corroded and abusing the shock.

So, yes, I found it was necessary to freshen my shock more and more (the last time I got only 15,000 before the seals blew out) as I accumulated 168,000 miles. Had I not serviced that bearing eventually hard parts on the shock would probably need to be replaced too.

I'm just telling 'ya. Don't dismiss that front relay arm bearing!

 

[RossKean]

Thanks!

So the "hard parts" were all OK?

I will probably toss the OEM shock back on the bike while I have the Penske refurbished. Not too much left to the season so I'll wait until winter (and a fully serviced relay arm and swingarm) before re-installing the Penske. I don't much care if I shorten the life of the OEM shock in the interim.

About a week ago, I ended out doing 15 miles or so on a very rough gravel road. That event probably finished it!

 

[escapefjrtist]

With respect to hard parts replacement... The last time my 8983 was rebuilt, the shaft bearing - bushing had to be replaced. Shock had some minor leakage at the shaft bearing, mileage was approximately 30K.

--G