DBcoil IL (Standard Mount) Complete 100 Hour Service Instructions (Part 3 of 4)
Mar 2022 orig., Jun 2024 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.
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 valve body or outer damper tube on the Air 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 |
Damper Reassembly
Step 1 – Prepping High Speed Adjusters
Install lightly greased o-rings (AAD0478) onto adjusters.
High Speed Adjustor Parts
Installing O-Ring on High Speed Adjustor
Installed O-Ring on High Speed Adjustor
Spring Installed on High Speed Adjustor (Rebound)
Step 2 – Installing High Speed Rebound Adjuster
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.
Standard High Speed Rebound Install 1
Standard High Speed Rebound Install 2
Standard High Speed Rebound Install 3
Trunnion High Speed Rebound Circlip Install
Standard High Speed Rebound Circlip Seating
Step 3 – Installing High Speed Compression Adjuster
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.
Standard High Speed Compression Install 1
Standard High Speed Compression Install 2
Standard High Speed Compression Circlip Install
Standard High Speed Compression Circlip Installed
Standard High Speed Compression Circlip Seating
Step 4 – Prepping Low Speed Needles and Spool Valve
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. Lightly grease and install detent spring and balls.
Low Speed Needles Prepared for Rebuild
Installing O-Ring on Low Speed Needle
Compression (dot) vs. Rebound (no dot) Low Speed Needles
O-Ring on Low Speed Needle
O-Ring on Spool Valve
Low Speed Needle Ready for Install
Step 5 – Installing Low Speed Compression Needle
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.
Low Speed Needle Ready for Install
Installing Low Speed Needle into Spool Valve
Low Speed Needle Installed into Spool Valve
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.
Installing Spool Valve
Installed Spool Valve
Installing Spool Valve Detent Spring
Spool Valve Detent Install 1
Spool Valve Detent Install 2
Spool Valve Detent Captured
Loctite on Spool Valve Capture Screw
Installing Spool Valve Capture Screw
Spool Valve Complete
Step 7 – Installing Low Speed Rebound Needle
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.
Low Speed Rebound Needle Ready for Install
Installing Low Speed Rebound Needle
Threading Low Speed Rebound Needle Past Circlip Shelf
Installing Low Speed Rebound Needle Circlip
Low Speed Rebound Needle Circlip Installed
Backing Low Speed Rebound Needle Against 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.
Inner Damper Tube Loctite Removal
Inner Damper Tube Loctite Removed
Inner Damper Tube Loctite Application
Inner Damper Tube Install
Attaching Inner Damper Tube Tool
Torquing Inner Damper Tube
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.
Outer Damper Tube & Shaft Assembly Ready for Install
Prepping for Outer Damper Tube Install
Installing Outer Damper Tube O-Ring
Coating Outer Damper Tube w/ Shock Oil
Installing Outer Damper Tube
Seating Outer Damper Tube
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.
Applying Oil to Piston
Inner Damper Tube Lubrication
Shaft Assembly Install
Torquing Oil Seal Head
Preload Collar Installed on Outer Damper Tube
Step 10 – Installing Bladder
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.
Bladder and Valve Body
Bladder, Gland Nut, End Eye and Valve Body
Bladder Installed on Valve Body
Greasing Bladder Installed on Valve Body
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.
End Eye Installed, Gland Nut Placed
Applying Loctite to Valve Body Threads
Torquing Gland Nut
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.
Shaft End Eye & Bottom Out Bumper
Bottom Out Bumper Installed
Applying Loctite to Shaft
Applying Loctite to End Eye
Torquing End Eye to Shaft
Continue to Part 4