repositioning fitting on Ohlins shock....help?

[COP TZR]

Does anyone know if I can slightly loosen the "banjo" bolts on the ends of the reservoir line enough to turn the positioning of the fittings without causing any leaks or issues to the shock?   Its new from Ohlins, and I would have preferred the fittings to be in a different direction for mounting purposes.

thanks

[ducpainter]

You can put it anywhere you want, but you will lose the nitrogen charge.

If you loosen the fitting under pressure high pressure oil/gas will escape...very quickly.

It's safer to bleed the nitrogen charge from the valve first and then have it recharged with nitrogen.

[FrankenDuc]

my piggyback can rotate a full 360 degrees, but that's an O-ring setup, not like your remote banjo.

On the banjo fittings, you have a metal crush washer, so a very small bolt range (a very small fraction of a turn on the bolt head) where the seal will still be maintained and you can physically rotate the fitting...

But, if you loose a little bit, nitrogen's cheap... likely free if you know the right neighbor.

[Slide Panda]

If you loosen the fitting under pressure high pressure oil/gas will escape...very quickly.

Oh yeah it will... was working and moved the remote on my Ohlins with a bit too much vigor and was treated to a jet of oil being shot about 8 ft.

[COP TZR]

well I was re-assured by a few forum members as well as our dealer here.  If I just "crack" the banjo fitting with keeping a seal with the crush washers, I should be able to apply gentle force to the fittings and position them how I like without losing any oil.  A little sweating is ok, but gushes of oil is not.  Fingers crossed when I get to this.

[battlecry]

I'm with Panda.  Wear goggles. 

[ducpainter]

I always love it when people keep asking for advice until they get the answer they want...

even if it's wrong.

[COP TZR]

I always love it when people keep asking for advice until they get the answer they want...

even if it's wrong.

thanks for the vote of confidence.  Its my last resort to try if I really need to.

[ducpainter]

Are you aware of just how much pressure is in that shock?

The volume of nitrogen being very small ,it doesn't take losing much to make your brand new shock not work like it should.

IMO the chance isn't worth it.

That said, good luck with it. I hope I'm the one that's wrong.

[COP TZR]

Are you aware of just how much pressure is in that shock?

The volume of nitrogen being very small ,it doesn't take losing much to make your brand new shock not work like it should.

IMO the chance isn't worth it.

That said, good luck with it. I hope I'm the one that's wrong.

thanks. Maybe I'll leave it as is, and sort out alternate mounting solutions.  Appreciate your honesty.

[FrankenDuc]

Allow me to rephrase a little less diplomatically:

On the banjo fittings, you have a metal crush washer, so a very small bolt range (a very small fraction of a turn on the bolt head) where the seal will still be maintained and you can physically rotate the fitting...

you have such a small range on the banjo bolt that likely just breaking the fitting will find you with oil all over the place.  If you use a 3ft breaker, you can probably pull it off, but that's the only way I can see it happening. (and that's more than likely how I'd try it  )

But then, I'm not too bashful about rebuilding a brand new never used before shock, that's the sort of thing I live for... so,

But, if you loose a little bit, nitrogen's cheap... likely free if you know the right neighbor.

If I wanted to be safe and try to avoid a rebuild, oil bleed, etc., I'd spill all of the nitrogen, just pop the schrader valve out, do what I needed to, then take the shock over to the local shop (suspension, aviation, whatever works) and have it refilled - make sure to measure and note the pressure in there before so you can match it after.

[ducpainter]

<snip>
But then, I'm not too bashful about rebuilding a brand new never used before shock, that's the sort of thing I live for... so,If I wanted to be safe and try to avoid a rebuild, oil bleed, etc., I'd spill all of the nitrogen, just pop the schrader valve out, do what I needed to, then take the shock over to the local shop (suspension, aviation, whatever works) and have it refilled - make sure to measure and note the pressure in there before so you can match it after.

This would be the best, safest, and cheapest alternative.

Pressure is about 200 psi on an Ohlins.