Mar 2022 orig., Apr 2023 rev.
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.
This service covers changing stroke ONLY on a new DBKitsuma shock. As o-rings are considered new as part of this service, they will not be replaced. If this stroke change is being done on an older shock, a full 100 hour service is recommended.
The stroke change procedure is the same for Standard and Trunnion mount shocks. A Standard shock is used in these photos.
No service kit required. Consult Kitsuma Air Stroke Chart for any necessary parts to decrease stroke.
BCD0344 – Kitsuma/DBair/DBair IL Air Seal Head Tool
Allen wrenches – 4mm
Crowfoot wrenches – 1/2″
Torque wrenches
Strap wrench
Suspension Grease
PolyLube Grease
Royal Purple 10w-30
Torque & Loctite Chart
End Eye | 4.8 Nm | 243 (Blue) |
Inner Air Can/Air Seal Head | 22.6 Nm | None (PolyLube) |
Oil Chart
Oil Location | Oil Type | Oil Amount |
Air Can | Royal Purple 10w-30 | 5 mL |
Option 1 (pictured):
Clamping valve body, use 4mm Allen insert into end eye and 1/2″ crowsfoot, loosen end eye from shaft.
Options 2 (not pictured):
Using shaft vise, clamp shaft between end eye and air can. Use 1/2″ crowsfoot to loosen end eye from shaft.
Remove any stroke/volume reduction.
Reinstall bottom out bumper (if removed) and any stroke reduction needed. Apply blue Loctite (243) to threads on end eye and shaft. Thread end eye onto shaft. Insert 4mm Allen through end eye and torque end eye to 4.8 Nm using 1/2″ crowsfoot.
Refer to this Stroke Chart for required stroke reducers and part numbers.
Apply 2-4 cms of bicycle grease to the outer threads on the inner air can. Flip shock in vise. Add 5 ml of Royal Purple to end eye. Hand thread inner air can onto end eye. Hand thread air seal head onto inner air can. Once both are hand tight, use Air Seal Head tool to tighten. Torque to 22.6 Nm.
Lightly grease the interior ridges on the outer air can. Flip shock in vise. Install any volume reduction bands. Install air can with air valve towards cylinder head. Seating air can may require a strap wrench. Set desired air valve placement. Ensure air valve will not contact the reservoir tube at compression. Install dry air can retaining o-ring (AAD0012)
Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Closed