Suspension Problem tightening lower shock bolt

[fragfeaster777]

Hey there!

I have a 2009 883C (Custom) Sportster, and I've replaced the suspension with 10' Lick's Custom Shocks to lower my motorcycle (I'm not very tall). However, I'm having a little bit of trouble tightening the lower shock bolt on both sides to factory torque specs. I was hoping maybe someone could help cause I'm not very adept mechanically.

When I tighten the lower bolt on either shock, I try to hold the nut on the inside in place by either the ring end or open end of the 3/4' spanner. The problem is that when the bolt (Torx 50) has been tightened sufficiently such that the nut is sitting against the frame, neither end of the (Draper) spanner can hold the nut in place because as the bolt is further tightened, there doesn't seem to be enough space in the "angle" of the frame for either end of the spanner to fit in to grip the nut adequately. In other words, when the nut is sitting against the frame, the ring part of the spanner only goes through the "top" of the nut (where the bottom is close to the motorcycle's frame) and the nut does not completely fit inside the open end of the spanner. It is almost as if the ends of the spanner are too thick to fit in the "angle" of the frame when the nut is being tightened.

I'm sorry if the language above is unclear and/or doesn't make use of the correct terminology. I could post a picture if it helps explain the problem better.

Would anyone be so kind as to offer me some advice on what I could do or use to grip the nut securely so I can torque the lower shock bolt to factory specs (61-68Nm)?

Many thanks!!

[spinlondon]

Sounds like you may have to get thinner spanner.
See if you can find a Snap On van local to you. Ask in some car garages if they use Snap On, and what time and day he calls round.

[banquo]

Working in the dark here, as I don't have a clear picture of the problem, but perhaps you need to be using a 3/4" socket and extension, instead of the combination spanner?

[Urrell]

Drape a bit of rag over the belt guard and the mufflers to protect them.
An open ended 3/4" pointed straight down will fit (ring will not go on).
Best to get someone else to hold that.
Do up the 50 torx to 45 to 50 ft lb.

Have just done mine in the last hour.

[simonDyna]

As already posted thin 3/4" spanner is the way forward.

[Adam 105th sportster]

Ebay = a set of cheap spanners unless you have a donor spare. A grinder with a flap wheel attachment will take a spanner down slow enough to control the thickness. I have a 'thin' set which come in very handy at times.

[Urrell]

My spanners are not thin. Even a very thick spanner will hold the nut when pointed straight down. I have lots of modified tools but that is not required for this job.

[banquo]

Originally Posted by Urrell

My spanners are not thin. Even a very thick spanner will hold the nut when pointed straight down. I have lots of modified tools but that is not required for this job.

Aha! Good to know...

[fragfeaster777]

Hey guys, thank you all for the extremely quick replies!

I've done a quick search on Ebay for thin imperial spanners, but nothing came up. If anybody knows of a place where I could get them from I'd appreciate the knowledge!

I have a 3/4' Sealey socket, but it's long and doesn't fit through either the left or even right side of the frame.

Urrell: Thank you for the pic. I'm going to try that again tonight, although I tried fitting my 3/4' spanner 100 different ways this weekend but no luck. I think I probably ended up rounding the nuts, I'll get a new set from the dealership anyway. Could you tell me which brand spanner you have and maybe where you got it from and I'll go hunt for it?

I have the "Fix my Sportster" DVD and there's a section where they torque the rear shock bolt and nut, and there you see them using the ring end of a 3/4' spanner to hold the nut. I wonder which spanner they were using.

Thanks again guys!

[Urrell]

Originally Posted by fragfeaster777

Urrell: Thank you for the pic. I'm going to try that again tonight, although I tried fitting my 3/4' spanner 100 different ways this weekend but no luck. I think I probably ended up rounding the nuts, I'll get a new set from the dealership anyway. Could you tell me which brand spanner you have and maybe where you got it from and I'll go hunt for it?

I have the "Fix my Sportster" DVD and there's a section where they torque the rear shock bolt and nut, and there you see them using the ring end of a 3/4' spanner to hold the nut. I wonder which spanner they were using.

Thanks again guys!

I just used a Clarke pro spanner but any quality 3/4" open ender will do, The open ender is just to hold the nut not turn it, that is done on the other end. Main thing with tools is do not buy cheap crap as they will cause more problems.

Don't know what ring spanner would fit apart from a 3/4 part ring as there is probably less than 1/8" there