DBKitsuma Air Stroke Change
Mar 2022 orig., Apr 2023 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.
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 Kits
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 & Nitrogen Specs
Torque & Loctite Chart
| Part | Torque Spec | Loctite Spec |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hardware & Bushing Removed
Clamped for Disassembly
Pump Attach
Air Bleed
Air Can Disassembly
Step 1 – Outer Air Can Removal
Pinch & 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.
Air Can Retaining O-Ring Removal
Air Can Retaining O-Ring Removed
Strap Wrench on Air Can
Air Can Removal
Volume Reduction Removal
Outer Air Can Removed
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.
Air Seal Head Tool on Air Seal Head
Loosening Air Seal Head & Inner Air Can
Inner Air Can Freed from End Eye
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.
Option 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.
Loosening Shaft from End Eye 1
Loosening Shaft from End Eye 2
Unthreading Shaft from End Eye
Volume/Stroke Reduction Removal
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.
Bottom Out Bumper Install (if necessary)
Bottom Out Bumper Installed
Bottom Out Bumper Installed
Loctite on End Eye
Loctite on Shaft
Attaching End Eye
Torquing End Eye on Shaft
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.
Greasing Inner Air Can Threads
Adding Oil to End Eye
Threading Inner Air Can onto End Eye
Inner Air Can Threads Started
Inner Air Can Threaded onto End Eye
Inner Air Can Threaded onto End Eye
Air Seal Head Tool
Hand Tightening w/ Air Seal Head Tool
Tightening w/ Air Seal Head Tool
Torquing Air Seal Head/Inner Air Can/End Eye
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)
Outer Air Can Grease 1
Outer Air Can Grease 2
Volume Reduction Bands Installed
Starting Air Can Install
Air Can Install
Air Can Installed
Air Can Seating
Air Can Retainer O-Ring Install
Air Can Retainer O-Ring Installed
Final Testing and Set Up
Step 1 – Leak Check
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.
Airing Up Shock
Hand Dyno
Soap Leak Test
Water Leak Test
Valve Cap Install
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.
Factory Neutral