Removing the circlips that hold in the bladder and seal head is always such a pain for me. I'd love for someone to share a trick with me to make this easier.
I did it once on a 1984 KX125 shock. I tried a lot of things, but a small, flat screwdriver worked for me, too. I needed something to get in behind the clip and pry it up and out.
I love it when the manual says "remove" something, but doesn't say HOW to remove it. GRRR.
I use a small screwdriver with a notch a couple of mm up the shaft - put screwdriver between circlip and body and then rotate screwdriver so cirlip falls in notch and then remove circlip.
I'd like to second my own post. :-) I don't have a hook to use, but a small flat head screwdriver did the trick again about an hour ago on a 1987 Kawasaki KDX200 shock. This was the circlip by the seal head. After tapping the small flat head screwdriver with a small hammer, there was enough space to get behind it and just lift the circlip up, beyond the groove and out.
After you get the clip out, push the bladder cap or seal head in and clean things up with a small piece of emery paper. You don't want any burrs there to tear up the bladder or seal head when you pull them out of the body.
A pick and a feller gauge or some thin shim stock works the clip out without too much scratching on the body .Theyre actually pretty easy as compared to a Yamaha road style or Raptor or Banshee shock with the sandwich type seal head . Youve got to compress the assy then pull the clip out.
A pick with a shallow curve to a hook is perfect.. The trick is to go down on the circlip then rotate with your wrist.. This works in a snap with no damage and one hand.. We get ours from from Farm and Fleet for about $3
Hey! It's that guy from TV! :-) What show or race were you on? I can't remember what I saw you on. I was trippin out and screaming trying to explain to my girlfriend.
Thanks for the tip on the hook. I will have to get a set of hooks.