Just a note finished doing my 2021 Factory Edition linkage service and shock removal. The lower two bolts on the linkage are actually 60Nm or 44.3LBF FT and the upper two bolts one on the top of the dog bone connecting to the frame and the other connecting to the rear swing arm are actually 80Nm or 59LBF FT. You mentioned all 4 were 60lbf ft. That could end up making your bike ride low and stiff. Also top of shock bolt is 60Nm or 44.3lbf ft.
I was able to change the spring on my 2019 KTM 350 XC-F. It didn't exactly match your video because of differences in my frame and yours, but it was close enough that I was able to figure it out. I love that I didn't have to undo or move the swing arm. My tip: Once the upper and lower shock bolts are out and the shock is floating free, I still couldn't get it out because the reservoir wouldn't fit through the swing arm. (I had already first removed the linkage bolt and moved it out of the way, of course.) However by removing the retaining clip and washers at the bottom of the shock, the spring slid off and I could get it out from under the bike, and the rest of the shock + reservoir came out the top, above the real wheel. Super easy and no finagling. Thanks for taking the time to make this video! It was my first time doing this and it would have been a hell-job if I had not come across this video as most of the other ones either have you moving the swing arm or showed some technique that wouldn't have worked on my bike. (Side gripe: KTM making the linkage bolt inaccessible to a torque wrench was lame. I hope there was some good engineering reason for that.)
No problem at all I am very glad this video was a big help. That was my intent with this video. I hope you don't mind but I am going to pin this comment in hopes your tip may help someone else with the XCF as well. Thank you for watching!
I’m about to tackle this on my 19’ 350 XC-F as well. Did it go back together the same way you took it out, or could you slide it back in all assembled?
@@bpekarna I think I took out the spring and shock together, and put them in the same way. Thus, with it fully removed from the bike I could take it apart and put it back together before putting it back in.
1. Remove top/bottom rear shock bolts. 2. Remove wishbone bolt at the end of linkage (not the swingarm side) 3. Remove chain off rear sprocket. 4. Remove the swing arm pivot bolt. 5. Slide the swingarm back half an inch. 6. Shock will slide out the bottom.
You can just unbolt the linkage, adjust the preload collar all the way up on the shock body, push the spring up to remove the clip and the spring will drop out from the bottom. Change a spring in less than 5 minutes on the KTM/husky/gas gas
It's amazing how many spring change videos on youtube that turn a 5 minute job into a 2 hour wrestle to remove the shock when it doesn't need to come out.
Btw... oem springs available in different rate and cheaper than aftermarket. Measure the spring and then add 8mm preload... you should get sag spot on if the spring is correct rate for your weight. On 2016 to 2022, bigger riders need more shock valving or turn in HS adjuster
I did mine and took off muffler side panel and the wish bone from rear folded each side down un did the shock bolts drop down slightly pull out the right hand side
@@HowiesAdventures yeah definitely Ktm (Austrian) bike are so well designed, had to change shock spring for a buddy on a 22 crf 250 .....I won't be doing it again put it that way. Lol.
Any updates after riding it? I'm a bigger guy too, my 2017 has springs and valving. Interested to go this route on my new '23 to save some money, atleast initially.
Just a note finished doing my 2021 Factory Edition linkage service and shock removal. The lower two bolts on the linkage are actually 60Nm or 44.3LBF FT and the upper two bolts one on the top of the dog bone connecting to the frame and the other connecting to the rear swing arm are actually 80Nm or 59LBF FT.
You mentioned all 4 were 60lbf ft. That could end up making your bike ride low and stiff. Also top of shock bolt is 60Nm or 44.3lbf ft.
I am not sure where I got my specs as this video was made a while ago but I'll pin this comment so people can see it. Thank you.
@@HowiesAdventures Video was a great help. Thank you.
@@Goober4884 Awesome! Glad it was a help. Thank you.
I was able to change the spring on my 2019 KTM 350 XC-F. It didn't exactly match your video because of differences in my frame and yours, but it was close enough that I was able to figure it out. I love that I didn't have to undo or move the swing arm.
My tip: Once the upper and lower shock bolts are out and the shock is floating free, I still couldn't get it out because the reservoir wouldn't fit through the swing arm. (I had already first removed the linkage bolt and moved it out of the way, of course.) However by removing the retaining clip and washers at the bottom of the shock, the spring slid off and I could get it out from under the bike, and the rest of the shock + reservoir came out the top, above the real wheel. Super easy and no finagling.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video! It was my first time doing this and it would have been a hell-job if I had not come across this video as most of the other ones either have you moving the swing arm or showed some technique that wouldn't have worked on my bike.
(Side gripe: KTM making the linkage bolt inaccessible to a torque wrench was lame. I hope there was some good engineering reason for that.)
No problem at all I am very glad this video was a big help. That was my intent with this video. I hope you don't mind but I am going to pin this comment in hopes your tip may help someone else with the XCF as well. Thank you for watching!
I’m about to tackle this on my 19’ 350 XC-F as well. Did it go back together the same way you took it out, or could you slide it back in all assembled?
Yes I just did it in reverse. Good luck.
@@bpekarna I think I took out the spring and shock together, and put them in the same way. Thus, with it fully removed from the bike I could take it apart and put it back together before putting it back in.
@@whuppertube your comment says you took out the spring first then the shock out the top. Did it go back in as one or with the spring off?
1. Remove top/bottom rear shock bolts.
2. Remove wishbone bolt at the end of linkage (not the swingarm side)
3. Remove chain off rear sprocket.
4. Remove the swing arm pivot bolt.
5. Slide the swingarm back half an inch.
6. Shock will slide out the bottom.
You can just unbolt the linkage, adjust the preload collar all the way up on the shock body, push the spring up to remove the clip and the spring will drop out from the bottom. Change a spring in less than 5 minutes on the KTM/husky/gas gas
Good to know! I’ll have to try that next time
It's amazing how many spring change videos on youtube that turn a 5 minute job into a 2 hour wrestle to remove the shock when it doesn't need to come out.
Thank you, I followed your instructions - removal was a lot easier for me as I removed my swingarm for powder coating.
No problem at all. I am glad I could help!
Can you not leave the upper shock bolt in, pop the snap ring off and drop the spring off the shock and out of the bike without removing the shock?
Not sure I’ve never tried it that way.
Btw... oem springs available in different rate and cheaper than aftermarket.
Measure the spring and then add 8mm preload... you should get sag spot on if the spring is correct rate for your weight. On 2016 to 2022, bigger riders need more shock valving or turn in HS adjuster
That's great information! I did not know that. Thank you.
Dumb question, but what is 8mm of preload? Do I just measure 8mm in height on the threaded collar and add however many turns it takes to get 8mm?
Do you use loctite on the top and bottom shock mount bolts? Manuel says use 2701 but wasn’t sure how necessary it is.
I didn’t but it’s not a bad idea to use some
I did mine and took off muffler side panel and the wish bone from rear folded each side down un did the shock bolts drop down slightly pull out the right hand side
Definitely a few ways to do it. All my buddies ride KTM and told me to try this way out. Would have gone much smoother had I pulled the skid plate.
@@HowiesAdventures yeah definitely
Ktm (Austrian) bike are so well designed, had to change shock spring for a buddy on a 22 crf 250
.....I won't be doing it again put it that way. Lol.
@@rogermelling8941 The Austrian bikes definitely have so trick features
Sweet video man, Just changed shock spring out on SXF 350 like a breeze. Thanks to your video.
Glad it helped you out! The 350 is definitely the way to go. I couldn’t find one when I was looking.
Any updates after riding it? I'm a bigger guy too, my 2017 has springs and valving. Interested to go this route on my new '23 to save some money, atleast initially.
Unfortunately I haven’t been out to ride yet. I will update when I do get out. Life with kids haha
Thank you, just followed your instructions and got my shock out
Awesome! Glad I could help.
Do you notice any up and down linkage play on your bike?
There shouldn't be. Have someone look where the play is as you move the swingarm up and down. Shock bushings/bearing can wear pretty quick
Where did you order the shock spring from?
From Racetech. You can order direct from them
Guys ktm world is your best friend. Springs are oem and $128
Awesome man that really helped appreciate i
Awesome I am glad it did! Thank you for watching
nice video! i'd highly recommend a proper spanner if your'e gonna go to the trouble. no sense in taking a punch and hammer to your nice shock.
I agree. Definitely will pick one up. Thank you for watching!
Great video 👍
Thank you for watching!
That is not the easiest way. Do a search you will see the east way.
Okay thanks