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