Shock Absorber

Road & Track Automotive

Owner’s Manual
INTRODUCTION

Öhlins Racing AB - The Story

It was the 1970’s, a young man named Kenth Congratulations! You are now the owner of an
Öhlin spent most of his spare time pursuing his Öhlins Shock Absorber. More than four hundred
favourite sport: motocross. World Championships and other major world titles
A careful observer, Kenth’s attention are definitive proof that Öhlins shock absorbers
was continually drawn to one specific offer outstanding performance and reliability.
detail – motocross bikes had more engine Every product has gone through rigorous
power than their suspension could handle. testing and engineers have spent thousands of
It was not long before Kenth realised that better hours, doing their very best to use every possible
performance could be achieved by improved experience from our 40 years within the racing
wheel suspension. sport.
Öhlins Racing was established in 1976, and The product that you now have in your
just two years later the company won its first possession is pure racing breed that is built to
World Championship title. Despite being in the withstand.
business for 40 years, the search for perfection By installing this shock absorber on your
and new functions is still the main focus of the vehicle you have made a clear statement…
company. you are a serious driver with a focus on getting
the maximal handling ability and outstanding
feedback from your vehicle. Along comes the fact
that your shock absorber will be a long lasting
friend, delivering the very best of comfort and
performance every time you go for a ride. Go
explore!

1
 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
General Warnings SAFETY SYMBOLS
1 Note! In this manual, mounting instructions and
The shock absorber/front fork/steering damper is other technical documents, important
an important part of the vehicle and will affect the information concerning safety is distinguished
stability. by the following symbols:

1 Note!
Read and ensure you understand the information The Safety Alert Symbol means: Warning!
in this manual and other technical documents Your safety is involved.
provided by Öhlins, before using the product.
⚠ Warning!
1 Note! The Warning Symbol means: Failure to
Öhlins Racing AB can not be held responsible follow warning instructions can result in
for any damage to the shock absorber/front fork/ severe or fatal injury to anyone working with,
steering damper, vehicle, other property or injury inspecting or using the shock absorber, or
to persons, if the instructions for mounting, usage to bystanders.
and maintenance are not followed exactly.
✋ Caution!
⚠ Warning! The Caution Symbol means: Special
After installing the Öhlins product, take a test precautions must be taken to avoid damage
ride at low speed to ensure your vehicle has to the shock absorber.
maintained stability.
1 Note!
⚠ Warning! The Note Symbol indicates information that
If the suspension makes an abnormal noise, or the is important regarding procedures.
function is irregular, or if you notice any leakage
from the product, stop the vehicle immediately and
return the product to an Öhlins Service Centre.
Product Specific Warnings
⚠ Warning!
The product warranty shall only apply if the ⚠ Warning!
product has been operated and maintained in This product was developed and designed
accordance with recommendations in this manual. exclusively for a specific vehicle model and shall
If you have any questions regarding usage, only be installed on the intended vehicle model in
service, inspection and/or maintenance please its original condition as delivered from the vehicle
contact Öhlins. manufacturer.

1 Note! ⚠ Warning!
When working with the Öhlins product, always This product contains pressurized nitrogen
read the Vehicle Service Manual. gas (N2). Do not open, service or modify this
product without proper education (authorized
1 Note! Öhlins dealer/distributor) and proper tools.
This Manual shall be considered a part of the
product and shall therefore accompany the
product throughout its life cycle.

© Öhlins Racing AB. All rights reserved. Any

reprinting or unauthorized use without the written
permission of Öhlins Racing AB is prohibited.

2
CONTENTS
Introduction........................................1
Safety Precautions.............................2
Contents............................................3
Functioning........................................4
Camber..............................................5
Spring Preload...................................6
Damping Adjuster...............................7
Length Adjuster..................................8
Adjustment and Set-up......................9
Inspection and Maintenance............10

3
 FUNCTIONING
DFV Dual Flow Valve
The DFV (Dual Flow Valve) is a sub-piston
system, consisting of a compression valve (Valve
A) and a rebound valve (Valve B), see figure
below. The settings for valve A and B can be
changed individually.

Compression Stroke

Shaft movement

Valve A
O-ring Valve B

During a compression stroke, oil flows

through 3 different passages as shown in the
figure. At low shaft speeds the DFV is closed,
and the damping from the bleed valve and the
piston shim stack is tailored to give good steering
response. When hitting a bump, the DFV opens
instantly to absorb the impact.

Rebound Stroke

Shaft movement

During a rebound stroke, oil flows through 3 different With the extra third valve created by incorporating
passages as shown in the figure. At low shaft the DFV, the damping force characteristics can
speed the DFV is closed, and the damping from be tailored to improve both handling and comfort
the bleed valve and the piston shim stack is at the same time, something that is not possible
tailored to give good steering response. When without the DFV.
passing a pot-hole or sudden depression in the
road, the DFV opens instantly to keep the tyre in
contact with the road.

4
CAMBER
Camber
If your suspension is supplied with adjustable top
mounts, then it can be moved in relation to the
mounting plate. The adjustment screws can be
mounted in different holes depending on which
camber you want. To adjust camber, loosen the
adjustment screws (see figure) and slide the top
mount in the slots in the mounting plate until you
have the camber you want. If the screws bottom Adjustment screws
out in the slots, mount the adjustment screws
in another set of holes. Tighten the adjustment
screws to 12-14 Nm.
The top/nylon nut may come off depending on
the suspension type. Apply appropriate screw
lock agent if necessary. Tighten the nut carefully.

✋ Caution!
The scales marked on the top mount shall only
be used as a reference. The camber shall be
Vehicle side Upright hub
measured with appropriate equipment.

✋ Caution!
If the nut is tightened to a higher torque than
recommended the shaft may be damaged.
Tightening Torque

Thread Lock Nut Regular Nut

Lower arm
M10x1.25 18-24 Nm 25-30 Nm
Tyre

M12x1.25 30-35 Nm 35-40 Nm

M14x1.5 ------------- 60-70 Nm

Top nut
✋ Caution!
Use the correct bearing spacer. If you do not Ball joint assy
use the correct bearing spacer the shaft may be
damaged.

✋ Caution!
If you drive in severe conditions during a long period Shock
of time a knocking sound may occur. Replace the absorber shaft
spherical bearing after 2 years/20000km.

✋ Caution!
Do not use any tool to grip the shaft/chrome tube
when tightening the top nut. This may cause
severe damage. Bearing
spacer

5
 SPRING PRELOAD
Spring Preload
When adjusting spring preload you move the Set the Spring Preload
spring seat. This will decrease or increase the
initial spring force, which will lower or raise the
vehicle.
If your shock absorber is of the length
adjustable type, spring preload and ride height
can be changed individually. In this case the (1)
preload adjuster shall firstly be used for ride
height adjustment within the range of availabe
(2)
stroke mentioned in the Mounting instruction.
The spring preload affects the height of the
vehicle and the wheel angles.

✋ Caution!
By changing the preload, the vehicle stability may
be affected.

⚠ Warning!
Before adjusting; raise the vehicle so that the
wheels are off the ground, also, remove the
wheels. If setting the spring preload with wheels B
A
on and loaded suspension there is risk for damage
on the suspension parts as well as personal injury.
After adjusting, lock the lock nut.
Set the Spring Preload
Use a C-spanner. Unlock the lock nut (2). Turn
the spring platform nut (1) clockwise to increase
the spring preload. Turn counter clockwise to
decrease it. Lock the setting with the lock nut (2).
Tightening torque 40-50 Nm.

✋ Caution!
Do not adjust the spring platform so that the
spring has a play. It shall always be mounted with
preload.
A Free spring length
B Installed spring length,
shock absorber fully extended
A-B = Spring Preload
Spring Preload is the difference between the
measures A and B.

6
 DAMPING ADJUSTER
Damping Adjustment
Reference position for damping force adjustment:
SOFT
1. The adjusters are set at 7 clicks from the
factory.
2. The adjuster affects both compression and
­rebound damping simultaneously.
FIRM

1 Note!
After mounting the shock absorber, always check
the click position of the adjuster.

Adjust Damping
Turn the adjuster clockwise to fully closed SOFT
position (position zero [0]). Then, turn counter
clockwise to open, and count the clicks until you
reach the recommended number of clicks. See
FIRM
recommended set-up in the Mounting Instructions
for the shock absorber.

✋ Caution!
Do not use force, delicate sealing surfaces may be
damaged.

7
 LENGTH ADJUSTER
Length Adjuster

⚠ Warning!
Before adjusting; raise the vehicle so that the
wheels are off the ground, also, remove the allen
wheels. If setting the spring preload with wheels key
on and loaded suspension there is risk for damage
on the suspension parts as well as personal injury.

⚠ Warning!
When adjusting the vehicle height with the length (B)
adjuster (in particular, when lowering the vehicle
height by shortening the overall strut or shock
absorber length), the tire or suspension arm etc.
may easily interfere with the vehicle body or o
­ ther
suspension parts. Therefore, carefully check
that there is no interference between parts after
adjusting. Always start with the recommended
length in the Mounting instruction and make small
adjustments from there.

Adjust Strut Length

Adjust strut length with the shock absorber still
mounted on the vehicle.
Loosen the two bolts and nuts on the rear
side of the upright bracket (B). Use a 5 mm and
6 mm Allen key or use the supplied C-spanner to
loosen the lock ring and turn the strut main body
to adjust damper length.
If a divorced spring (not coilover) is used, which
is very common on cars rear suspension, the
damper length adjuster will not change vehicle
height, it is used to fine tune available stroke
between compression and rebound. If vehicle
height is lowered on spring adjuster the damper
length can be shortened to keep preload on the
spring. Do not adjust outside recommended
length in Mounting instruction.

⚠ Warning! Caution line

The bracket shall not be adjusted below the
­caution line as it may come loose or break.

8
ADJUSTMENT AND SET-UP
The actual vehicle height varies ­depending on the
accessories mounted on the vehicle, weight and/ Check vehicle height
or individual differences of the ­vehicle. See the
Mounting instruction for ­recommended preload
C
and length adjustments and their ­ adjustment
range.

⚠ Warning!
If the lower bracket is set outside the adjustment
range it may interfere with suspension or vehicle
body parts.
Measuring points after assembly.
By using the adjustments available on this Wheel centre to wheel arch top (C)
­product, and testing by trial and error, you can
learn how the adjustments affect your vehicle.
Always begin by taking your vehicle for a test
drive with all adjustments at their recommended
settings. Choose a short run of varying character
with long and sharp bends, hard and soft bumps.
Stay to the same round and adjust only one
setting at a time.

⚠ Warning!
Before driving, always ensure that the basic
settings by Öhlins have not been changed
­
during delivery. When adjusting, always make
notes, adjust in small steps and make only one
adjustment at a time to be able to evaluate
correctly.

Revalving
The Öhlins R&T shock absorber can be
revalved to adjust the damping force to custom
specifications.Please contact your Öhlins dealer
for advice.

9
 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
Preventive maintenance and regular inspection
reduces the risk of functional disturbance. If there
is any need for additional service, please contact
an authorized Öhlins workshop.

Cleaning
Clean the shock absorber externally with a soft
detergent. Use compressed air. Be careful that
all dirt is removed. Lift the bump rubber and
clean the area below. Keep the shock absorber
clean and spray it with oil (WD40, CRC 5-56 or
equivalent) after washing. Wipe off excessive oil
with a cloth. Some areas of the shock absorber
are treated with special surface treatment such
as Teflon coating. Do not use strong chemicals,
i.e. strong solvents or wheel cleaning detergents,
and/or a hard brush for cleaning as it may dis-
colour and change the appearance of the shocks
surface treatments.
Inspection
1. Check ball joints for possible excessive play
or stiction.
2. Check the piston shaft for leakage and dam-
age.
3. Check the shock absorber body for external
damage.
4. Check for excessive wear of rubber compo-
nents.
5. Check the attachment points of the shock ab-
sorber to the vehicle.
Recommended Service Intervals
Racing: Every 15 hours of operation. 1 Note!
Maximum 30 hours of operation The Öhlins shock absorber shall only be filled with
without service and oil change. Öhlins High Performance Shock Absorber Fluid.
Regular street use: Every 60 000 km Contact an Öhlins dealer for advice.

Disposal ⚠ Warning!
Discarded Öhlins products shall be handed over Never change gas pressure. Special purpose
to an authorized Öhlins workshop or distributor charging equipment, access to nitrogen and
for proper disposal. special knowledge is required.

10
 Öhlins Owner’s Manual Road&Track Automotive | Part No. 07451-01_7 | Issued 2024-08-15 | © Öhlins Racing AB

Öhlins Racing AB
Box 722 Phone: +46 (0)8 590 025 00
SE-194 27, Upplands Väsby Fax: +46 (0)8 590 025 80
Sweden www.ohlins.com