[Thumper]

So, I backed out one of the compression damping screws one click too far on the trail. The pressure blew out the screw/knob, and shot oil all over the place. I screwed it back in, but now there's no detent clicks. Did something fall into the reservoir? There's also a 'clacking' noise now and I'm sure I'll need to disassemble it. Any good starting points? Did I lose something on the trail when the screw shot out? (Other than my pride 😋).

 

[Russo891]

Bummer - I did not know that was even possible. I will check the service manual to see if I can find anything. Maybe a schematic I can post.

 

[Uturn]

I am not sure how the detents are set up, but you did lose the nitrogen precharge. The shock oil will be more prone to foaming under hard riding conditions and at that point you will lose shock damping. The precharge also provides some shock lift. That may cause the upper spring to sag and bottom the upper portion of the suspension(tender springs) to bottom quicker causing the clacking you are hearing. The solution would be a basic rebuild and recharge.

 

[Rocky Heap]

dealer warranty repair.

 

[Thumper]

Update 1:
Beyond warranty, Rocky, but there's still hope.

Took the shock to the dealership. They rebuilt it, but didn't put the detent ball/spring (or whatever it is) back in. I had them duplicate my scenario, and as two of them began unscrewing the compression screw on the customer service counter I slowly backed away. Moments later, *pop! *, the same thing happened, and left them both covered in a spray of shock oil.

They are contacting Kawasaki for a factory defect claim since there doesn't seem to be any internal parts available to order. It almost seems like there should be a lip inside the screw housing that should prevent this, but I'm not familiar enough with this part of the shock.

Standby for more...

 

[Uturn]

I bet they warranty their shirts, the shock I am not so sure about.

 

[Thumper]

Update 2:
According to the dealer...Their shock guy talked to Fox and Kawasaki to see if there was something missing, and apparently there is no longer a part made for these shocks to prevent this from happening. He made it seem as if it (the stopping mechanism) was obsolete for these shocks.

I would imagine the part would be obsolete if the shocks were a new design for Kawasaki, but who knows? He didn't have any more info. Seems a lot of us would have experienced this Issue I would think since it was so easy to do... twice even.

Anyway, they did get the detent mechanism working and charged it up again, but simply advised not to go past 24 clicks out.

 

[BobX2]

Anyway, they did get the detent mechanism working and charged it up again, but simply advised not to go past 24 clicks out.

Sounds easy enough, but how do you know when you are at the last detent? Unless you set them once and never adjust them, and know exactly what you set them to. I have adjusted mine so many times, trying to find that "sweet spot", as well as depending on the terrain I'm riding, I typically dial it back to zero and go up from there. I never remember what number I'm at. I guess you could go the opposite way and count down.
I think they owe you a new shock. That's BS that it will come out during normal adjustment. That should never happen on any shock.

 

[Thumper]

I agree, Bob. I'll slap this one on and run it, though. Summer is a precious commodity here, and I don't want to wait on a part that's stuck or unavailable for who knows how long. I'll call Kawasaki or Fox directly, and hopefully have another update.