Limited Edition: eeBrakes Magnum
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DBKitsuma Air Stroke Change

Mar 2022 orig., Apr 2023 rev.

Table of Contents

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.

Service Notes

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.

Service Kit

No service kit required. Consult Kitsuma Air Stroke Chart for any necessary parts to decrease stroke.

Required Cane Creek Tools

BCD0344 – Kitsuma/DBair/DBair IL Air Seal Head Tool

Additional Tools & Supplies

Allen wrenches – 4mm
Crowfoot wrenches – 1/2″
Torque wrenches
Strap wrench
Suspension Grease
PolyLube Grease
Royal Purple 10w-30

Torque, Loctite & Oil Specs

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

General Prep

Clean shock. Record tune if desired. Remove hardware. Remove bushings if replacing. Remove valve cap. Bleed air from shock using shock pump. Be sure to depressurize shock slowly to avoid trapping air in the negative chamber.

Air Can Disassembly

Step 1 – Outer Air Can Removal

Remove air can retaining o-ring. Clamp shock in soft jaw vise. Using strap wrench, turn air can and pull down away from air seal head. Unclamp shock. Remove air can. Note and remove any air volume reduction.

Step 2 – Freeing Inner Air Can & Air Seal Head

Reclamp shock. Align teeth on Air Seal Head Tool (BCD0344) with grooves on air seal head. Unthread air seal head and inner air can from end eye. Splash oil may be present.

Step 3 – End Eye Removal

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.

Air Can Reassembly

Step 1 – End Eye Install

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.

Step 2 – Air Seal Head/Inner Air Can/End Eye Install

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.

Step 3 – Outer Air Can Install

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)

Final Testing and Set Up

Step 1 – Leak Test

Air up shock to at least 100 psi. On hand dyno or bike frame, slowly cycle shock and listen for negative volume chamber to pressurize. Using soapy water and dunk tank, test for any possible air leaks. Install valve cap.

Step 2 – Dyno Test

Set adjusters to factory neutral. Using hand dyno, test shock for function. Ensure Climb Switch engages and operates properly. Turn individual adjusters to test each one.

Install any bushings and hardware.