DBcoil IL (Standard Mount) Complete 100 Hour Service Instructions

Mar 2022 orig., Jun 2024 rev.

Recommendations and Warnings

Cane Creek recommends only trained suspension technicians perform service on all suspension, using all required tools and following all proper procedures. Anyone without access to the proper equipment or with any concerns on the procedures should defer to an authorized Cane Creek service center for service. Improper service can result in loss of performance or suspension failure.

All Cane Creek shocks have pressurized nitrogen and oil, even coil shocks. Follow the service procedures exactly as written to avoid possible injury or harm to the suspension. Always wear eye protection while performing suspension service.

Please dispose of all waste products and materials through proper channels to avoid contamination of the environment.

Any damage or issues resulting from improper service will not be covered by warranty. If you have a shock still in its original warranty period and do not wish to void your warranty, please contact an authorized Cane Creek service center.

These service instructions cover the basic service procedures using standard service kits. If your suspension requires parts beyond standard replacement parts – shaft, damper tubes, end eyes – please consult your authorized Cane Creek service center or contact us at our Cane Creek Support Center.

Service Notes

The Air IL and Coil IL as well as the Standard and Trunnion variants of both share many service steps. Some images in these instructions may not be identical to the the valve body or outer damper tube on the Coil IL Standard, but that is only when the process is the same for the shock in the image and the shock on your bench.

Service Kits

BAD2370 – DBcoil IL Rebuild Kit (standard)

Required Cane Creek Tools

AAD1101-01 – Keith Cradle (for standard valve body)
BAD1032 – Gland Nut Wrench
BAD1174 – Oil Seal Head Pin Spanner Wrench
BAD1268 – Inline – Oil Fill Needle Adaptor
DBT016 – DB Gas Fill Needle
AAD0555 – 8mm & 9.5mm Shaft Clamp
BAD1273 – Inner Damper Tube Install Tool (required for Trunnion service, optional for standard service)

Additional Tools & Supplies

Allen wrenches – 1.5, 3 & 4mm

Torx wrenches – T10, T15 & T25

1/2″ crowfoot wrench

Torque wrenches

Pick

Suspension Grease

Motorex 4wt Racing Fork Oil

Vacuum Oil Fill Machine
Nitrogen Fill System

Torque, Loctite, Oil & Nitrogen Specs

Torque & Loctite Chart

Part	Torque Spec	Loctite Spec
Shaft Bolt	5 Nm	243 (Blue)
TSN	0.6 Nm	668 (Green)
Spool Valve	0.16 Nm	243 (Blue)
Inner Damper Tube	17 Nm	263 (Red)
Oil Seal Head	15 Nm	None
Gland Nut	52 Nm	243 (Blue)
Climb Switch Screw	0.16 Nm	243 (Blue)
End Eye	8 Nm	263 (Red)

Oil Chart

Oil Location	Oil Type	Oil Amount
Damper Fill	Motorex 4wt Racing Fork Oil	Fill to 3 Bars

Nitrogen Chart

Nitrogen Location	Nitrogen Pressure
Valve Body	11-12 Bars

Related Technical Service Bulletins

Review all related TSBs before performing any service.

TSB010 – DB COIL IL Rebound piston orientation
TSB032 – COIL IL Damper Shaft Update

General Prep

Clean shock. Record tune if desired. Remove hardware. Remove bushings if replacing. Unthread spring preload. Remove spring clip. Remove spring. Note and remove any stroke reduction clips.

Damper Disassembly

Step 1 – Climb Switch Removal

Loosen 1.5mm set screw. Remove Climb Switch. Pry off oil fill screw cover.

Step 2 – Nitrogen Bleed

***Use caution as nitrogen is pressurized.***

Loosen gas fill cover half a turn with 4mm Allen. Bleed gas with gas fill needle. Remove gas fill cover completely. Use pick to pry out gas fill plug.

Always use extreme caution when using a pick in this step or others to avoid scratching metal parts. Failure to do this can create scratches in the o-ring glands which cause leak paths for oil or gas. When possible, pinch and remove o-rings rather than using a pick.

Step 3 – Oil Removal

Remove oil fill screw with T15.

***Use caution as there may be aerated oil behind fill screw.***

Empty oil through fill screw by cycling the damper.

Step 4 – Oil Seal Head & Shaft Assembly Removal

Place valve body into Keith Cradle (AAD1101-01). Use Oil Seal Head Pin Spanner (BAD1174) to remove oil seal head. Remove shaft assembly from damper body. Pour out any remaining oil from damper body.

Step 5a – Outer Damper Tube Removal

Remove outer damper tube by pulling up. Unthread preload nut. Inspect inner damper tube for piston band wear. Remove outer damper tube o-ring with pick and discard.

Step 5b – Inner Damper Tube Removal (if needed)

If damper tube is damaged, there is a leak between the tube and valve body or just to aid service, the inner damper tube can be remove.

Using Inner Damper Tool Wrench (BAD1273), remove inner damper from valve body. Inspect damper tube threads and remove any remaining Loctite with pick. Clean thoroughly if not replacing. Remove valve body o-ring and discard.

Step 6 – High Speed Adjusters Removal

Unthread spool valve capture screw with 1.5mm Allen. Using 3mm Allen, dial High Speed adjusters in to gain access to High Speed circlips. Remove circlips. Back High Speed adjusters all the way out. Remove and discard o-rings on adjusters.

Note that the Compression spring is 20wt (silver), rebound is 30wt (black).

Step 7 – Low Speed Compression Adjuster Removal

Unthread Low Speed Compression needle on spool valve with 3mm Allen and remove. Remove and discard o-rings on needle. Depress spool valve detent with razor blade to free spool valve. Remove detent and unthread spool valve. Remove and discard spool valve o-ring.

Step 8 – Low Speed Rebound Adjuster Removal

Gently bottom out Low Speed Rebound needle with 3mm Allen. Using pick, work circlip below retaining shelf all the way to needle. Back needle out 5-7 clicks and then rebottom needle to gain access to circlip. Using pick centered on circlip, pry up diagonally to pull circlip past shelf and remove. Unthread and remove needle. Remove and discard o-ring.

Step 9 – End Eye Removal

Clamp valve body using Keith Cradle. Use Gland Nut Wrench (BAD1032) to free gland nut. Remove end eye. Carefully remove and discard bladder.

TSN Disassembly (if desired)

TSN service is not required as part of a standard IL service. However, if the shock exhibits any audible sounds, usually a “chirp”, during use, this could be related to a bent TSN spring. No additional parts are required to do the TSN service.

Step 1 – TSN Removal

Remove TSN stem from valve body using T15 from both High Speed valves. Clean valve body TSN threads with tap if green Loctite has built up on threads

Step 2 – TSN Disassembly

Disassemble TSN assembly by unthreading spring from the TSN stem. Remove TSN shim, piston and poppet.

Step 3 – TSN Inspection

Inspect spring for possible bent end of spring tail which can cause valve chirp. (Correcting bent spring covered in TSN Reassembly.)

Shaft Disassembly

Step 1 – Determining Shaft Type

Clevis bikes require a solid shaft. Solid shafts can be identified by sticker or laser etching on the end eye. When end eye is removed, shaft can also be inspected to confirm. The three types of shafts – hollow, pinned (hollow shaft with insert), solid – pictured here.

TSB032 – COIL IL Damper Shaft Update

Step 2 – End Eye Removal

Clamp shaft assembly into vise using shaft clamp (AAD0555) with end eye up. Remove end eye from shaft with 1/2″ crows foot. Apply heat gun if end eye is stuck

Step 3 – Piston Assembly Removal

Flip shaft in clamp. Remove shaft bolt with T25. Remove piston, shims and stop washer, noting orientation.

Step 4 – Shim & Piston Inspection

Check face shim for port wear and flip on reinstall if necessary. Check ports on piston for excessive wear. If present, resurfacing or replacement of piston may be necessary. Carefully cut piston band off piston. Pinch & remove piston o-ring.

Step 5 – Final Disassembly

Remove bottom out bumper, oil seal head and top out bumper. Discard oil seal head only.

Shaft Reassembly

Step 1 – Piston Reassembly

Install new piston o-ring (AAD0800) and piston band (AAD0469) on piston.

Step 2 – Piston and Shim Stack Install

Reassemble shim stack, flipping face shim if necessary, and reinstall stop washer, shim stack and piston on shaft. Add one drop of blue Loctite (243) on the shaft threads. Install shaft bolt with T25. Torque to 5 Nm.

When installing the piston bolt, keep downward pressure on the piston with your other hand to prevent any Loctite from getting between the piston and face shim.

Step 3 – Top Out Bumper & Oil Seal Head Install

Grease the bushing and quad ring of oil seal head. If available, slide shaft cover (.DBT010 – discontinued) on shaft to cover threads only. Trim shaft cover to length if necessary. If cover not available, you can use tape to cover threads or simply take care installing seal head. Install new (AAD1090) top out bumper and new oil seal head (AAD1738). Remove any shaft thread covering.

TSN Reassembly (if required)

Step 1 – TSN Springs, Pistons & Poppets Prep

If TSN spring tail is bent, trim the spring to remove damaged end. Surface piston and poppet if necessary using a surfacing block or high grit sandpaper.

Step 2 – Rebound TSN Reassembly

Rebound TSN stem has a small bleed port. Reinstall poppet, piston, and shim, noting the correct orientation for rebound: On piston, small ports face poppet; large ports face shim. Thread spring onto stem.

TSB010 – DB COIL IL Rebound piston orientation

Step 3 – Compression TSN Reassembly

Compression TSN stem has no bleed port. Reinstall poppet, piston, and shim, noting the correct orientation for compression: On piston, large ports face poppet; small ports face shim. Thread spring onto stem.

Step 4 – TSNs into Valve Body Install

With a straight pick apply a small amount of green Loctite (668) to TSN threads in valve body. Install TSNs ensuring the correct TSN is installed on the correct side of valve body. Torque to 0.6 Nm with T15.

Damper Reassembly

Step 1 – High Speed Adjusters Prep

Install lightly greased o-rings (AAD0478) onto adjusters.

Step 2 – High Speed Rebound Adjuster Install

Thread High Speed adjuster with 30wt (black) spring into Rebound valve. Be sure to thread past circlip shelf. Install circlip (AAD0947). Back adjuster out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 3 – High Speed Compression Adjuster Install

Thread High Speed adjuster with 20wt (silver) spring into Compression valve. Be sure to thread past circlip shelf. Install circlip (AAD0947). Back adjuster out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 4 – Low Speed Needles and Spool Valve Prep

Lightly grease and install o-ring (.DB11102) on Low Speed needles. Compression needle has laser etching on face. Lightly grease and install o-ring (AAD1180) on spool valve.

Step 5 – Low Speed Compression Needle Install

Apply a small amount of grease on the Compression (laser etched dot) needle hole and reinstall spring and detent balls (ball-spring-ball). Press then thread Compression needle into spool valve until flush. Confirm presence of detent clicks at this point.

Step 6 – Installing Spool Valve

Thread spool valve into Low Speed Compression on valve body. Thread until full bottom out. Install detent plunger and spring. Depress detent plunger and back out spool valve half to one and a half turns to capture detent in track. Ensure spool valve can fully reach both open and closed positions. Reinstall capture screw on spool valve with blue Loctite (243). Torque to .16 Nm with 1.5mm Allen.

Step 7 – Low Speed Rebound Needle Install

Apply a small amount of grease on the Rebound (no laser etching) needle hole and reinstall spring and detent balls (ball-spring-ball). Press, then thread Rebound needle into Low Speed Rebound on valve body. Thread past circlip shelf. Confirm presence of detent clicks at this point. Install circlip into groove. Back needle out gently to ensure proper seatment of circlip.

Step 8a – Inner Damper Tube Install (if needed)

Lightly grease and install o-ring (AAD0955) on valve body. Ensure o-ring is fully seated in groove. Clamp valve body end eye in vise. Ensure all old Loctite is removed from inner damper tube. Apply fresh red Loctite (263) to threads. Thread inner damper tube into valve body. Using inner damper tube wrench, torque to 17 Nm.

Step 8b – Outer Damper Tube Install

If not already installed, lightly grease and install o-ring (AAD0955) on valve body. Ensure o-ring is fully seated in groove. Set valve body in Keith Cradle or clamp end eye. Apply thin layer of shock oil to outer damper tube. Press and rotate outer damper tube into valve body until seated on o-ring.

Step 9 – Shaft Assembly Install

Apply thin layer of shock oil to piston band on shaft assembly. Use piston to apply layer of shock oil to inner surface of outer damper tube. Insert shaft assembly into inner damper tube, threading oil seal head into outer damper tube. Using Oil Seal Head Wrench, tighten oil seal head to 15 Nm. Ensure all three pins are properly seated and even pressure is applied to tool to prevent damaging tool pins. Reinstall preload collar on outer damper tube.

Step 10 – Bladder Install

Gently work dry new bladder (AAD1333) onto valve body grove. Ensure it is seated all the way around. Apply grease to the edge where bladder and valve body meet.

Step 11 – End Eye and Gland Nut Install

Place upper end eye on bladder. Do not push end eye onto valve body as it can unseat the bladder. Install gland nut using an inch feed of blue Loctite (243). Set correct end eye orientation and allow gland nut to self seat the end eye. Using Gland Nut Wrench and Keith Cradle torque gland nut to 52 Nm.

Step 12 – Shaft End Eye Install

Reinstall bottom out bumper on shaft. Apply red Loctite (263) to shaft and end eye. Finger tight end eye onto shaft. Work Loctite air bubbles out of end eye by going to full bottom and backing off multiple times. Clamp shaft into vise using shaft clamp. Using 1/2″ crows foot, torque end eye to 8 Nm.

Damper Fill

Step 1 – Fill Prep

Install new o-ring (AAD0532) on fill plug screw. Secure shock in horizontal position with fill port facing up. Back all adjusters to fully open and open Climb Switch. Thread Inline oil fill adaptor (BAD1268) into fill port. Fully compress damper. Attach oil fill machine per your manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 2 – Vacuum and Oil Fill Process

Vacuum system to (4) mbar. Pressure with Oil to (3) bar. Slowly cycle shaft finishing with shaft fully out. Cut fill and equalize pressure. Vacuum system to (4) mbar, leaving shaft out. Pressure again with Oil to (3) bar. Slowly cycle shaft finishing with shaft fully out. Cut fill.

Step 3 – Valve Body Closure

Leaving horizontal, disconnect fill machine. Unthread fill needle. Drip some oil on to top of fill. Install oil fill screw with T15. Insert new gas fill plug (.DB11115) leading with beveled edge. Thread gas fill plug screw in, leaving 2 threads exposed outside of the end eye.

Step 4 – Nitrogen Fill

Insert gas fill needle (DBT016) and pressurize to 11-12 bars of nitrogen. Gently seat gas fill plug screw until plug starts to squeeze through access hole. Compress shaft and ensure proper gas by observing shaft return to full extension.

Step 5 – Leak Test & CS Install

Submerge valve body in water to check for gas leaks. Rotate spool valve to down position. Reinstall oil fill cover. Apply a drop of blue Loctite (243) to Climb Switch set screw. Install Climb Switch on spool valve and install set screw. Torque to .16 Nm with 1.5mm Allen.

Final Testing and Set Up

Step 1 – Dyno Testing

Set adjusters to factory neutral: HSC & HSR 2.5 turns from full bottom (or 2 turns from full open); LSC 11 clicks from full bottom; LSR 13 from full bottom. Using hand dyno, test shock for function. Ensure Climb Switch engages and operates properly. Turn individual adjusters to test each one. Set back to original tune if desired.

If mechanical dyno equipment is available, run shock on dyno at this point.

Step 2 – Spring Reinstall

Reinstall any stroke reducer clips as needed below bottom out bumper. Reinstall spring and spring clip. Install all necessary bushings and hardware.