Harley-Davidson insists that only the shock absorbers on its Softail models may be disassembled. All other Harley shock absorbers must be replaced as an assembly. Harley sells a Softail lowering kit that requires you to disassemble the Softail shock absorbers. And Progressive Suspension sells a press that helps with the disassembly of Softail shocks. It's also possible to improvise similar presses. Actual disassembly of the shocks is simple and straightforward.
Clean the rear fork end of the shock near the shock canister seal as thoroughly as possible with grease remover and clean rags.
Place the flat end of the shock canister on wooden block or blocks if you are disassembling the shock on a hydraulic press. Leave two inches of space between the end of the hydraulic ram and the top of the long eye. The long eye is the rod that extends from the end of the shock canister.
Place the flat end of the shock canister in the canister container ring and lower the mechanical ram until it touches the end of the long eye if you are using the Progressive Suspension tool.
Compress the spring in the canister by applying pressure from the hydraulic or mechanical ram to the top of the long eye until the shock absorber keeper plate drops down from the retaining ring.
Remove the retaining ring with a dentist's pick or a mechanic's pick.
Release the mechanical or hydraulic pressure on the end of the long eye from the shock tool or hydraulic press. Separate the parts when the long eye is not longer under pressure.
Remove the shock damper and spring plate assembly from the canister
Line the jaws of a vise with aluminum vise jaw pads. Place the shock damper assembly in the vise so the long eye is secured in the vise jaws.
Heat the long eye and long eye lock nut with a heat gun to loosen the thread locker on the assembly. Loosen the spring plate lock nut with a wrench and spin the nut four or five times for clearance.
Unscrew the damper shaft from the long eye mount with a wrench. Remove the spring plate and lock nut from the long eye mount.
