'07 RXT Storage Compartment Cover Shock

[door54]

Hey Guys-

When wiping down the rides at the end of the SC rebuild test runs, I discovered the front cover shock had detached itself from the upper ball sometime during the day on wifeys ride. Figured I'd re-attach it when we got home.
There is NO WAY that shock is going back in there without some type of compression tool...or it's frozen/sprung. Shop manual instructs to simply remove and simply replace in reverse order. Not happening. It takes a concentrated effort and most of my fat arse pushing down on that thing to get it to compress an inch.
This is my first rodeo with one of these shocks. Am I missing a simple something here?

 

[Coastiejoe]

I used a ratchet tie down strap to compress mine. I thought it was stuck in the open position as I could not move it at all. Bought a new one and couldn't move it either. Thats when I tried the strap just to see if it could move.

 

[Tbranella]

you need to disconnect the rod that attaches to the front cover, then you can swing the bracket up higher and attach the shock, you need to use a 1/2" drive socket wrench to compress the shock while it's attached to the bracket so you can re-attach the rod for the compartment lid. (there is a slot in the bracket for the 1/2" drive wrench)

the reason the shock came off in the first place is probably because you need to relocate the bottom shock mount 1" to the left of it's current location.. there is a service bulletin on this issue.

 

[KK40384]

I used a ratchet tie down strap to compress mine. I thought it was stuck in the open position as I could not move it at all. Bought a new one and couldn't move it either. Thats when I tried the strap just to see if it could move.

This! I just did this last weekend. Also on the 08s the bottom bracket was riveted in place wrong. Too far to the right or starboard side. That will keep popping off the strut once it came off the first time. My dealer was nice enough to drill it out and move it over to where it should be at no charge.

 

[door54]

Thanks Guys-

Funny, you can refer to the shop manual til it gets blurry...but sometimes it just fails to provide the essential instructional nugget that helps to get the job done.

:cheers:
Y'all are great.

 

[door54]

the reason the shock came off in the first place is probably because you need to relocate the bottom shock mount 1" to the left of it's current location.. there is a service bulletin on this issue.

Re-mounted the shock, but when I close the lid, the shock keeps popping off the top strut. The lower strut mount is clearly misalligned and needs to be moved unless a forum member has come up with a home remedy to keep the shock mounted. Never a problem until now.

Is there a link to the above mentioned service bulletin or an alternative route to access it?

Thanks

 

[KK40384]

Re-mounted the shock, but when I close the lid, the shock keeps popping off the top strut. The lower strut mount is clearly misalligned and needs to be moved unless a forum member has come up with a home remedy to keep the shock mounted. Never a problem until now.

Is there a link to the above mentioned service bulletin or an alternative route to access it?



Thanks

I have yet to find a link to a bulletin but if you take it in to the dealer they better relocate that bracket for you. You may have to buy a new strut but they shouldn't charge you for labor to install it and relocate the bracket.

 

[door54]

Yeah thats my plan, but when I show up and the service mgr is, or tries to play dumb, Id like to pull a copy out of my back pocket to share it with him. Plus, if the corrective action is simple enough, Id just do it myself.
Something is clicking about reading or seeing a service bulletins related link not too long ago, I just cant get my head wrapped around it.
That or fresh c-clips would be great.

 

[Tbranella]

the "fix" is to relocate the bottom bracket 1" to the left of the original location... get some aluminum or SS pop rivets and do it yourself.

 

[KK40384]

Yeah thats my plan, but when I show up and the service mgr is, or tries to play dumb, Id like to pull a copy out of my back pocket to share it with him. Plus, if the corrective action is simple enough, Id just do it myself.
Something is clicking about reading or seeing a service bulletins related link not too long ago, I just cant get my head wrapped around it.
That or fresh c-clips would be great.

If you find them clips let me know. I've looking around for months. Keep bending and reshaping the old ones till I'm blue in the face.

 

[Coastiejoe]

If you find them clips let me know. I've looking around for months. Keep bending and reshaping the old ones till I'm blue in the face.

I have the PDF from Sea Doo.

I will save it an load it later. Can't provide a link at this time because of where I got it...

 

[Coastiejoe]

Yeah thats my plan, but when I show up and the service mgr is, or tries to play dumb, Id like to pull a copy out of my back pocket to share it with him. Plus, if the corrective action is simple enough, Id just do it myself.
Something is clicking about reading or seeing a service bulletins related link not too long ago, I just cant get my head wrapped around it.
That or fresh c-clips would be great.

Sent you a PM...

 

[door54]

Hey Joe-

Thanks for your help. Time will tell how well it holds.

 

[Tbranella]

If you find them clips let me know. I've looking around for months. Keep bending and reshaping the old ones till I'm blue in the face.

you need a new strut... there are no replacement clips.
relocate the lower support and replace the strut... you should be good!

 

[KK40384]

you need a new strut... there are no replacement clips.
relocate the lower support and replace the strut... you should be good!

If you read my previous posts you'd know that has already been done and issue hasn't been resolved.

 

[Tbranella]

sorry, didn't know you already replaced the strut...

if you're not the original owner, you might want to confirm that the whole assembly hasn't been removed in the past and put back together wrong...
that's what was wrong with mine.

 

[KK40384]

Did that already too. Being the original owner I never removed it and installed it backwards. I had the dealer relocate the lower mounting bracket and replace a strut. They said it was good to go. Turns out it isn't. Anyway I'm at the point of replacing the upper ball mount since that's the one that keeps coming apart and replacing another strut. Maybe that ball is out of spec. Anything is possible at this point.