How to install shock mouting hardware
What is mounting hardware and why is it important?
Most bicycle manufacturers design their bikes to fit within the ideas of an industry standard, which basically means there is no actual standard. This rule applies even more when talking about suspension. This is why suspension manufacturers have developed interchangeable interfaces to adapt their shock and forks to virtually all different type bikes. This interface is called the mounting hardware.
Mounting hardware plays a large role in the effectiveness and efficiency of a suspension’s linkage system. For this exact reason, and some others, we at S4 believe the TCA style system is the best all rounder. Easy of use, ease of installation, and durability.
What tools are necessary to install your hardware?
- Bushing removal tool for DU bushings
- The proprietary extraction tool for any bearing style interface
- For TCA bushings a large bolt or a round rod made of plastic or wood(chop sticks work great)
- A vise(with soft jaws) or bushing install tool
- Waterproof grease
- Rag to clean
Step 1: Prep your tools
Step 2: Confirm the size of your new mounting hardware
You can go about finding two different ways.
A- If your shock already has mounting hardware you can simply measure the exterior width and internal diameter of the mounting pin with a set of vernier calipers.
B- If your shock doesn’t already have mounting hardware(but your shock/bike combination requires it) you can find it by measuring the internal width of your mounting location, the outer diameter of your mounting bolt. With this option be sure to account for any spacers your frame requires for mounting
Step 3: Clean all mounting surfaces.
Step 4: Install TCA bushings.
In a soft jawed vise install one side of the bushing at a time. This is to ensure that the TCA is going in straight and square relative to the eyelet.
Apply a thin layer of waterproof grease around the internal of the TCA.
Insert the center pin into the middle of the TCA. Do this by aligning the pin in the TCA and pressing it into place with a vise.
When the pin stops you need to place the shock eyelet slightly offset in the vise to push the pin beyond the face of the bushing.
Once you have slightly pushed the pin beyond the exterior of the TCA you will install the supplied rubber band from the kit(this rubber band is to prevent water ingress in the mounting hardware)
Follow the band by the width-modifying spacer.
At this point you will be able to put the shock back in the vise to compress the mounting hardware together. Once the vise binds and stops do not force it further.
If you encounter any binding stop, assess, and proceed further. The TCA bushing is a soft material and can be damaged easily.
Step 5: Install DU bushings.
Put a think layer of grease around the interior of the shock eyelet.
Install the DU by aligning it within the shock eyelet then using a soft jawed vise to press the bushing in place. This process will require some force as the DU is an interference fit within the eyelet.
Install the center mounting pin by aligning it squarely in the DU and pushing through using the same soft jawed vise.
Place the eyelet within the vise slightly offset just enough to allow the mounting pin to extrude out the other side past the face of the eyelet.
Install the width modifying spacer from the kit to both sides and compress within the vise.
Once the vise stops remove the shock from the vise to confirm both sides of the mounting pin are flush against the exterior of the width modifying spacers.
Step 6: Install bearing style interface.
Put a thin layer of grease around the interior of the shock eyelet.
Install the bearing carrier by aligning one side within the shock eyelet(It helps to hold it in place by sandwiching the bearing carrier between the eyelet and the fixed side of the vise) then using a soft jawed vise to press the bearing carrier in place. This process will require some force as this interface uses an interference fit within the eyelet.
If your bearing interface utilizes a center sleeve this will be the time to install it into the space between the two bearing carriers.
Flip the shock eyelet around in the vise performing the same process with the other side.
Once the vise stops remove it from the soft jawed vise and inspect it confirming the bearing carriers sit flush against the eyelet.
Step 7: Confirm correct installation.
Insert the shock into the soft jawed vise again holding it by the mounting hardware only.
Rotate the shock around the mounting hardware confirming the absence of binding or play between the hardware and the eyelet.
If you have a bearing interface you will likely need the frame specific spacers that rest between the frame mounting location and your mounting hardware.
Step 8: Time to reinstall your shock on your bike.
If you need help with this portion we have our “How To Install Your Suspension” video on our website.
Here's what you'll need for this sprocess!
-S4 Mounting Hardware (Shop Here)
