A forum for owners of Yamaha TTR250 trail and enduro bikes!

T Mozza · Member

Went for a ride, now rear suspension is stuck fully compressed

ttboof · Super Guru

Heard of the same thing on a mates tt600 it was a shock problem

But haven't heard of it happening on a ttr

TTRfan · Super Guru

I have experienced that. Not sure what the cause is - possibly a bit of dirt in the valve?

Anyways up, try adjusting the adjuster (for rebound damping) at the bottom of the shock. That usually sorts it out wink

Adjusting rear shock Pt 2.jpg

T Mozza · Member

I have taken everything off the bike. I struggled to get into the rebound damper due to the compression of the shock. I attempted to take off the nut at the top of the shock but only got it halfway before the pressure (of the shock pushing up?) jammed it in place, may need to get a punch and hit it out in the morning. If I manage to get a c spanner or punch onto the rebound adjuster which direction did you turn yours to unlock the suspension?

Also being pretty careful of it rapidly expanding into a soft part of my body if it does free itself, did you have any trouble with that?

Tyler

TTRfan · Super Guru

I don't really understand Tyler confuse

If you get the TTR up in the air on a bike stand or whatever such that the rear wheel is off the ground, then there should be no pressure from the shock. It should be possible to take out the top and/or bottom bolts without any danger.

If the shock is trying to "expand" could the spring retaining collar at the top have broken or come loose? If not it should hold the spring in its compressed state quite safely.

Could the linkage or swing arm be seized?

It really doesn't matter which way you turn the knob unless it is completely would one way or the other in which case you shouldn't try forcing it any further. It really should move with just hand force.

Brian

PS Loads of useful information here

T Mozza · Member

Ah yes, I think there is a small amount of weight on my back wheel still, am going to have to get some help tomorrow as no way of getting a jack under it.

Thanks for clearing up my understanding of the system, first time I've played around with anything like this.

I had suspected that the linkage may have gotten stuck somehow, ill report back tomorrow with my findings to hopefully help anyone else who has this issue.

Thanks again!!

T Mozza · Member

Couldnt help myself, went back out to have another crack. Got the top bolt out. Cant see any noticable damage to the linkage and it seems to move freely.

I played with the rebound adjuster but the shock absorber is still compressed. Ill include some photos for reference.

Tomorrow Ill probably take the whole rear shock out and bring it to a shop unless there is some obvious fix when I fully remove it.

Thanks again!

T Mozza · Member

Just for anyone information who happens to have the same problem....

I took the rear shock completely out and took it to a suspension shop. They diagnosed it as - due to a small long term oil leak the master piston seized. They will be pulling it apart tomorrow to have a closer look and give a quote for a repair. Ill edit this post once I know more.

The oil leak I experienced seemed to originate from the bottom of the shock (just above the rebound adjuster) due to a cracked/missing seal.

Lesson learnt, don't ride off small oil spots as engine oil leaks from an old bike. It could be something a little more sinister furious .

TTRfan · Super Guru

Thanks for letting us know Tyler smile

It's another first for me - not heard of that happening before!

Should be a quick job if it's just the seal head - and the damper rod isn't worn or damaged such that it caused the leak. The seal heads should be readily available - Steve keeps them in the shop here.

Your shock should be as good as new once rebuilt wink

Brian

T Mozza · Member

I have managed to find a rear shock off of a 1998 TTR for sale. My question is whether this will be the same size as my rear shock (2005 blue TTR). Haven't seen any information that would suggest otherwise but thought I would double check before purchasing. Thanks again everyone!

TTRfan · Super Guru

Yes - all the OE shocks are interchangeable wink

TTRfan · Super Guru

When a TTR250 shock locks up, assuming nothing inside has broken, the usual cause is due to the damping adjuster being wound in too much, pushing and jamming the damping restrictor needle in the shock shaft against the orifice causing a hydraulic lock.

It is usually possible to get around the problem by winding off the damping completely and compressing the shock rapidly with a hide hammer.

If the shock still does not return to normal operation then you probably need to take the shock apart and take the shock shaft to a specialist for First Aid cry