2.25" Bonzi / S-Series

2.25 Bonzi/S-Series Shocks

Tools Needed:

Big Shocks 2.25/2.5 Shock Tool

5/64” Allen Wrench

9/16” Socket/Wrench

Torque Wrench

Drain Pan

AW-32 / SAE 10w Hydraulic Fluid

1. Clean shock and clamp in soft jaw vice upside down (shaft pointed to the ceiling).

2. Depressurize shock reservoir completely. Remove schrader core.

3. Loosen set screw with a 5/64” allen wrench (Fig. 1) and use Big Shocks shock tool to loosen and remove the seal cap (Fig. 2).

Fig.1 Fig.2

4. Push shaft guide assembly downward into the shock to expose snap ring (Fig. 3). Remove the snap ring.

Fig.3

5. Remove shaft and shaft guide assembly slowly. Be cautious of oil running out and allow to drain into shock body (Fig. 4). Wipe assembly with rag and set aside.

Fig.4

6. Drain all old oil from shock and reservoir. Hold shock body in drain bucket and charge reservoir with small amounts of clean air to be sure IFP (internal floating piston) is against hose end piston. Small amounts of oil may spray out when you do this. Depressurize reservoir again.

6. Clamp shaft piston side up in vice, with soft jaws to not damage it. Remove the nut with a 9/16” wrench or socket (Fig. 5). Be sure to keep track of valve shims and piston orientation during disassembly.

Fig.5

8. Inspect valve shims, piston, shaft spacer, seal cap and shaft guide assembly for any damage. Clean all parts (Fig. 6-8).

Fig.6 Fig.7 

Fig.8

9. Remove seals from seal cap and shaft guide assembly if they need replaced. Be careful to not scratch any surfaces. If you are only re-valving the shock or changing the oil you do not need to remove the seals and can skip to Step 11.

10. Install new seals using a small amount of shock oil or grease.

11. Inspect shock shaft if it is bent or has any deep pitting/nicks. Replace if required as this may cause seal failure.

12. Install shaft guide assembly onto shaft then shaft spacer. Be cautious to not force and damage any seals.

13. Install compression valving shims, piston and rebound valving shims in the same order they came off. Torque nut to 25 ft/lbs.

14. Clean shock body assembly. Place in a vise open end up and allow reservoir to hang down.

15. Slowly start to fill the shock body with AW-32 hydraulic oil or SAE 10w until about 2” from the top. Shake/wiggle reservoir to help release trapped air bubbles and allow to sit for a few minutes.

16. Insert shaft and valving assembly into shock. Gently move the shaft assembly in and out until all the air bubbles are removed. Be sure to not pull the piston out of the oil as you will create a pocket of air. You are trying to bleed any air that may be trapped in the shock.

17. Once there is no more bubbles rising to the surface, allow the shaft spacer to slide into the shock. You will want to continue to add oil and raise the shaft assembly until both are at the bottom of the snap ring groove (Fig. 9).

Fig.9

18. Hold the shaft at the same height while you slowly insert the shaft guide assembly into the shock body. Oil will spill out of shock as shaft guide goes in. Push the shaft guide in so that the snap ring can be installed. 

19. Install the snap ring and verify it is fully seated in the groove (Fig. 10).

Fig.10

20. Extend shock shaft to expose the shaft guides threads. Install seal cap (Fig. 11). Screw it on and snug with Big Shocks wrench. Charge reservoir to 20-30 PSI.

Fig.11

21. Verify shock shaft can move up and down without binding. If so you have over tightened the seal cap.

22. If there is a dead spot (shaft moves with very little force) in the shock you either have air still trapped in the shock / not enough oil. If this is the case be sure to start back over at Step 15.

23. After you have checked for no binding and air pockets, tighten the grub screw with a 5/64” allen wrench (Fig. 12).

Fig.12

24. Compress the shaft all of the way into the shock.

25. Pressurize the reservoir with 150 psi. Install reservoir schrader valve cap.

26. Remove the shock from the vise.

Shaft Assembly