Cannondale P/N 951-6001126
Introduction
WARNING!
Safety signals
Important information concerning safety is
distinguished in this manual by the
following notations:
All of Öhlins advanced suspension products are
adepted to the brand and model. This means that
length, travel springaction and damping charac-
teristics, are tested individually just for the vehi-
cle that you have decided to fit with Öhlins sus-
pension.
1. Installing a shock absorber, that is not
approved by the vehicle manufacturer, may
affect the stability of your vehicle. Öhlins
Racing AB cannot be held responsible for
any personal injury or damage whatsoever
that may occur after fitting the shock
absorber. Contact an Öhlins dealer or other
qualified person for advice.
The Safety alert symbol means:
Caution! Your safety is involved.
Before installation
WARNING!
2. Please study and make certain that you
fully understand all the mounting instructions
and the owners manuals before handling this
shock absorber kit. If you have any questions
regarding proper installation procedures,
contact an Öhlins dealer or other qualified
person.
Öhlins Racing AB can not be held responsible for
any damage whatsoever to shock absorber or
vehicle, or injury to persons, if the instructions for
fitting and maintenance are not followed exactly.
Similarly, the warranty will become null and void
if the instructions are not adhered to.
Failure to follow warning instructions
could result in severe or fatal injury
to anyone working with, inspecting or
using the suspension, or to bystanders.
CAUTION!
Caution indicates that special pre-
cautions must be taken to avoid dam-
age to the suspension.
Contents
3. The vehicle service manual must be
referred to when installing the Öhlins shock
absorber
Saftey signals ................................................ 2
Tuning the suspension ................................... 3
Design ........................................................... 3
Function ........................................................ 4
Compression damping ................................ 4
Rebound damping ....................................... 4
Settings ......................................................... 5
Preload adjustment ....................................... 6
Setting the damping ...................................... 7
Setting your vehicle: ...................................... 7
Start with rebound damping ........................ 8
Compression damping ................................ 8
Inspection and maintenance ......................... 9
NOTE!
NOTE!
This indicates information that is of
importance with regard to procedures.
Öhlins products are subject to continual improve-
ment and development. Consequently, although
these instructions include the most up-to-date
information available at the time of printing, there
may be minor differences between your suspen-
sion and this manual. Please consult your Öhlins
dealer if you have any questions with regard to
the contents of the manual.
© Öhlins Racing AB.
All rights reserved.
Any reprinting or unauthorized use
without the written permission of
Öhlins Racing AB is prohibited.
Printed in Sweden.
2
Shock absorber position
Gas
Oil
Oil
Gas and
oil
Oil
Gas
Oil
Separating
piston
Shock absorber
piston
1. External reservoir with hose connection
2. External piggyback reservoir
3. Internal gas reservoir
1
2
3
4
4. Emulsion shock absorber
Tuning the suspension
Design
is controlled accordingly. The shock absorbing
effect is therefore independent of the tempera-
gas and the fluid are kept apart by a separating ture.
Öhlins shock absorbers provide the possibility
separate fluid reservoir, connected by hose (Fig.1) for adjustment, making them adaptable to most
or fixed direct on top of the shock absorber (Fig.2) vehicles, drivers and ranges of use. All of the
Most of Öhlins suspensions are of the De Carbon
type. The fluid is put under gas pressure and the
Road holding qualities
All vehicles are designed with a suspension ge-
ometry that includes wheel movements and an-
gles. The changing of components can affect this
and it is therefore essential that both the rear and
the front ends match each other.
piston. The separating piston is often fitted in a
(piggyback).
shock absorbers, equipped with springs, have
Changing to Öhlins suspension gives optimum
performance only when both the front and the
rear suspension interact properly. It is of greatest
importance that the front and rear loaded height
(ride height sag) are within the specified values
in the Mounting instructions.
There are also models where the separating adjustable preloading of the spring action. The
piston is fitted inside the main shock absorber (Fig.3) more advanced models permit individual adjust-
(internal gas reservoir). Öhlins even manufacture a ment of compression damping and rebound
small number of emulsion shock absorbers that do damping.
not have a separating piston (Fig.4).
WARNING!
Pressurization of the fluid is made with nitrogen.
The pressurization prevents cavitation of the fluid
and the shock absorbing action is therefore more
even. The external fluid reservoirs also contribute
to better cooling of the fluid, giving longer service
life to both the fluid and components.
Öhlins shock absorbers have integrated
temperature compensation. As the temperature
increases and the fluid flows more easily the flow
All vehicles are designed with a suspension
geometry that includes wheel movements and
angles. The changing of components can affect
this and it is therefore essential that both the rear
and the front ends match each other. Changing to
Öhlins suspension gives optimum performance
only when both the front and the rear suspension
interact properly.
3
Compression flow Rebound flow
Stop washer
Shims stack
Piston
7. Shim stack
5. Flow through
needle valve
6. Flow through piston
8. Shim stack
Function
Compression damping
Rebound damping
The function, in principle, is that fluid is forced
through needle valves at a low rate of flow (Fig.5)
When movement of the vehicle causes compres- When the spring presses the shock absorber out
and through a number of apertures in the piston sion in the shock absorber, the fluid flows through again, the fluid flows back through the needle
at a high rate of flow (Fig.6). The flow through these the needle valve (combined compression and return valve in the piston rod. The fluid flowing into the
apertures is regulated by shims (thin steel wash- valve) in the piston rod. If velocity of the piston is chamber is forced by the pressure of the gas back
ers) that at high pressure are deflected to open for high, ie, in the case of rapid compression, this will into the shock absorber via a separate non return
the fluid (Fig.7). On some models the needle valves not be sufficient and consequently the shims valve. If velocity of the piston is high, the shims
can be set individually (illustration).
By altering the size of the shims-stack (ie, rate of flow.
underneath the piston will open to allow a greater on top of the piston will also open to allow the
fluid to flow though.
number, thickness, diameter) (Fig.8) the
The fluid that is displaced by the volume of the
characteristics of the damping action can be varied piston rod is forced into the external fluid chamber
(this shall only be done by Öhlins authorized via a separate compression valve. Even this valve
service workshops).
is fitted with shims that open at high piston
velocity. The separating piston is displaced, thus
increasing the gas pressure.
4
9. Adjustment possibilities
10. ATV, steering by sliding
Steering by
sliding rear end
Normal vehical
steering by
turning the
front wheels in
the intended
direction
1.
2.
3.
Settings
As an ATV has a rear axle without differential it is Therefore it is extremely hard to recommend
forced to turn mostly by sliding (Fig.10). There- specific settings. The best recommendation is to
Basic settings
Always ensure that the basic setting made by
Öhlins is correct. It is adapted to the specific make fore excessively good road holding capabilities proceed by trial and error.
and model (in its original state) and for a rider of is undesirable. The rear end must be able to eas-
However, good understanding of suspension
ily break loose to slide and the front wheels must design and function will give you the best chance
not have too sharp turning radius, as this could to take advantage of the adjustment possibilities.
cause the ATV to flip over. This is why we only give basic and simple advice
The tires are also a very important factor to the on how to set the dampers/shock absorber.
ATV's road holding capabilities. Pattern, sidewall Read the manual carefully and start your work.
average weight.
These adjustments are made to
optimize the suspension: (Fig.9)
1. SPRING PRELOAD is when you adjust the
spring to match your body weight and weight
of your equipment.
flexibility and air pressure affects these characteris- The Öhlins shock absorber will give you all possibili-
tics. Changing the dimensions of A-arms, swing ties for fine adjustment to fit you personal desire.
arm and linkage will also affect the vehicle's
WARNING!
abilities.
Because of this it is vital that the suspension is
adjustable. Any change of components will
demand different settings.
To complicate the situation, the technique and
skill of the driver will affect the perfomance of
the machine.
2. COMPRESSION DAMPING controls how fast
the shock absorber compresses when you hit
a bump.
1. ATVs are extremly depending on which kind of
tires are beeing used. Soft versus hard tires can
completely alter the road holding abilities. The
suspension must be tuned in after each change
of tires.
3. REBOUND DAMPING controls how fast the
shock absorber returns to its normal position
after it has been compressed.
2. Every change in suspension geometry, i e
change of a-arms etc, must be followed by new
settings of the shock absorbers.
5
11. Measuring of ride height sag
A
A
B
B
Preload Adjustment
Setting the spring preload,
Rear end
Front end
adjusting procedures:
1. Lift the rear wheels up off the ground.
Use the same procedure to measure the sag for
the front end. Adjust the spring preload to
recommended settings.
By turning the rings on the shock absorber body
you can adjust the springs tension to suit your
weight. Hold the upper ring and adjust the lower
one to the desired position. Then lock with the
upper ring. To make this adjustment properly you
must measure the ride height sag (Fig.11).
2. With the wheels off the ground, measure the dis-
tance from the top center of the rear axle to a
point straight above it on the frame of the ATV. (A)
3. Wear all your riding gear. Sit on the seat with
your feet on the pegs in correct riding posi-
tion. Have someone to repeat the measuring
procedure (B). The difference between the first
and the second measurement ride height sag
(A-B).
WARNING!
Preload on the spring/springs is very important,
because it affects the height of the vehicle and
the wheel angles. Consequently, road holding
characteristics can be changed, even negatively.
4. Adjust your spring preload so that your ride
height sag is within the limits below or are
according to the recommended settings in
your Mounting instructions.
NOTE!
For very light or very heavy drivers, spring change
may be needed to receive correct spring preload.
6
-
+
= more damping
= less damping
+
-
+
+
-
-
12. Rebound damper adjuster
13. Compression damping adjusters
Setting the damping
Setting your vehicle
NOTE!
The adjusting possibilities of the advanced Öhlins
shock absorbers facilitate fine setting. You can
optimize adjustments to suit your own vehicles
weight and equipment, your individual way of
driving and the condition of the road. To be able
to improve the road holding qualities it is of the
utmost importance that you fully understand the
functioning of the shock absorbers. Then you can
learn by trial and error how they affect the vehicle.
Depending on the model there are adjustments
for rebound damping and compression damping.
They have a normal right-hand thread. By turn-
ing clockwise they increase the damping action
and counterclockwise they reduce it, see illus-
trations above. The knobs has definite positions
with a noticeable “click”, so it is easy to count to
the right setting.
located at the bottom on the piston rod (Fig.12).
It can be adjusted in about 40 steps.
Compression damping is set with a knob or a
screw on top of the external reservoir (Fig.13).
This can be adjusted in about 25 steps.
Always begin with the basic settings recommended
by Öhlins. Always make notes, adjust in small steps
and make only one adjustment at a time.
Adjustments should be made in small steps (few
clicks) at a time.
NOTE!
When making new adjustments it is easiest to go
fully closed and then count forward to the new
setting. The adjusting knobs should not be turned
in too hard. Use fingers only when possible. The
adjustment should be made when the shock
absorber is cold.
By utilizing the adjustment possibilities you can
test by trial and error, and learn how they affect
your vehicle.
Always begin by test driving with all adjustments
at their basic setting. Choose a short run of varying
character, ie, long and sharp bends, hard and soft
bumps. Keep to the same run and make only one
adjustment at a time.
NOTE!
If no “click” is felt, the shock absorber must be
inspected by an authorized service workshop. It
could be due to incorrect or lack of gas pressure.
Rebound damping action affects the charac-
teristics of the vehicle most. The setting knob is
7
14. Rebound damping
15. Compression damping
• Unstable
• Loose
• Hard
• Bumpy
• Soft
• Low
• Harsh
• Hard
• Bouncy
• Bottom
Increase
Reduce
Increase
Decrease
Start with the rebound damping (Fig.14)
Compression damping (Fig.15)
NOTE!
If the vehicle feels unstable, loose and rather bouncy If the vehicle feels soft, has low riding position
then the rebound damping should be increased. and a tendency to bottom easily in long dips then
Begin by turning the adjusting knob 4 steps (clicks) the compression damping should be increased.
clockwise, according to page 7. Test run again and Screw clockwise 4 steps and test run again. If
adjust two steps back if it feels too hard and bumpy. this was too much then turn back two steps
If the vehicle is hard and bumpy, especially over a (counter-clockwise).
Ensure that the springs are properly preloaded be-
fore attempting to make any adjustments. A simple
rule is that increased preload of the spring should
be followed by an increase of rebound damping.
series of bumps, then the rebound damping should
If the vehicle feels harsh and has hard resil-
When you feel that you have achieved an im-
provement, go back to where you started and
check once more. Be observant of other relevant
factors such as tires, temperature, etc. Test run
to make sure whether further fine adjustment
should be made.
be reduced. Turn counter-clockwise 4 steps, test ience, e.g., over changes in the riding surface,
run and make any necessary correction by 2 steps. then the compression damping must be reduced.
Turn anticlockwise 4 steps. Test run and make
any necessary correction to two steps.
When you have sufficient feel of the vehicle
then you can make further fine adjustments. It is
feeling and experience that counts.
WARNING!
Never alter gas pressure. Special purpose charg-
ing equipment and access to a nitrogen source
is required. The gas pressure should normally
never be altered.
8
3
4
3
2
5
1
5
6
1
16. Lift the bump rubber
and clean the area below.
17. Inspection points:
Inspection and maintenance
Clean the shock absorbers externally with a soft
detergent . Use compressed air . Be careful that
all dirt and debris is removed.
Lift the bump rubber and clean the area below
(Fig.16).
Keep the shock absorbers clean and always
spray them with oil (QS 14, WD40 or CRC 5-56
or similar) after washing the vehicle.
Inspection points: (Fig.17)
1. Check ball joints for possible excessive play.
Recommended inspection and
maintenance intervals:
2. Check the piston shaft for leakage and damage.
Normal use
Race track
2 - 3 times a year
Every ten hours
3. Check the shock absorber body and for
external damages.
4. Check the external reservoir for damages that
can restrict the floating piston from moving freely.
Once a year, general:
Change shock absorber oil.
Use Öhlins shock absorber oil only.
CAUTION!
5. Excessive wear of rubber components
Never use detergents that can damage the sur-
faces of the shock absorber. Use of thinner and
brake cleaner will dry the surfaces too much..
6. Fastening to the vehicle
NOTE!
Preventive maintenance and regular inspection
reduces the risk of functional disturbance. If there
is any need for additional service, please get in
touch with an authorised Öhlins service workshop.
There they have the necessary tools and know-
how for whatever you need.
Make certain that your shock absorber are always
filled with Öhlins High performance shock ab-
sorber oil
9
Product guide
36E
36D
36K
36P
36PR
36PRCL
36PRCLB
36H
46ER/DR
46ERS/DRS
46DRLS
46PRCW
46PRC
46PRCQ
46PRCL
46PRCLB
46PRCS
Vertical
46PRCS
Horizontal
46PRCLS
Vertical
46PRCLS
Horizontal
46HR
46HRC
46HRCS
46HRCL
46HRCLS
10
Shock absorber type
Adjustment features Steering dampers
Front fork springs
Road & Track, MX & Enduro
Compression
Road & Track
36, 46
C
Piston diameter in mm.
Adjustable compression
damping.
E
Emulsion type of shock
absorber.
Adjuster wheel on the
reservoir.
D
R
Rebound
De Carbon type of shock
absorber with internal res-
ervoir in the main body.
Adjustable rebound damp-
ing.
Adjuster wheel on the piston
shaft above the end eye.
P
Spring preload
(hydraulic)
De Carbon type of shock
absorber with external
”piggy back” reservoir.
S
Front forks
Hose mounted hydraulic
MX & Enduro, Road & Track
Superbike & RR
Road & Track kits
spring preload adjuster.
H
De Carbon type of shock
Adjuster wheel on the hose.
absorber
with
hose
mounted external reservoir.
B
Integrated hydraulic spring
preload adjuster.
Spring preload
(hydraulic)
W
Shock absorber delivered
without spring.
Adjuster wheel on the
adjuster.
K
Emulsion type of shock
L
absorber for cruiser bikes.
Adjustable length.
Q
Adjuster nuts above the
end eye.
Length
Progressive damping shock
Front fork fluids
MX & Enduro
absorber with two pistons.
Road & Track, MX & Enduro
NOTE!
Your shock absorber may look differ-
ent from the once pictured.
Spring preload
(C-spanner)
On type 46P the compression ad-
justment knob sometimes is a screw.
The reservoir could be angled to fit
your bike and a horizontal reservoir
is used on some models.
11
Notes
Öhlins Racing AB, Box 722, S-194 27 Upplands Väsby, Sweden.
Phone +46 8 590 025 00, fax +46 8 590 025 80.
E-mail: [email protected]
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