Sway-A-Way Race Shock Revalve How-To

Sway A Way Race Shock Revalve Reservoir Cap Removed

The guys at SAW made a nifty little tool to pull the caps off of reservoirs, but a simple pair of pliers works just as well

Don't get too excited yet, there is still one more step that needs to be done before the shocks can be reassembled, this is setting the floating piston depth in the reservoir. Doing this ensures that you have the proper oil level, proper pressure, and helps to prevent hydraulic lock. To set the depth simply press down on the Schrader valve side of the reservoir exposing a circlip, remove this circlip and remove the end cap with a pair of pliers (be sure the Schrader valve cap is on to prevent damage to its threads). Press the piston down to a depth of 9" below the end of the cap. It may take some force, don't worry this is normal. Also be careful not to press too hard or fast or you may end up with a shock oil volcano spewing from the body.

Now you can reassemble your shock. With the body placed back into the vise fill the oil level to about 1" below the circlip groove inside the cylinder. Place the shaft back into the cylinder by rotating the shaft clockwise and lowering it slowly into the oil. Next press the seal carrier into the oil, if oil overflows out of the shock before you sink the seal cap o-ring you know you have the right amount of oil in the shock. Press the seal carrier far enough in to expose the circlip groove and replace the circlip, pull up on the shaft to seat the seal carrier against the circlip. Now you can slide the wiper seal cap back into place and secure it with the Allen screws, snug, not tight. Lastly you must press the shaft completely into the body, then charge the shock with 200psi of Nitrogen. This will ensure that the shock is not seeping oil and that it is cycling correctly. If everything checks out refasten the Allen screws and the shock is now ready to go back on your truck!

And you see, you thought valving a shock was hard! We will discuss how to choose the proper valving for your shock at a later time.

Set the floating piston depth to 9"	To be sure the shock was full of oil Brian topped it off before sliding the seal block in	Snug the Allen screws down but don't tighten them until after the shock has been charged with Nitrogen
Sway-a-Way Shocks should be charged to 200psi with Nitrogen before being installed on the vehicle

Note from Sway-A-Way:

A couple years ago we redesigned and improved our 2.0" and 2.5" pistons providing better oil flow and damping characteristics. However, with the current valving in the shocks the shock is approximately five to ten percent softer. You might find the current setting satisfactory but you may consider valving your RaceRunner shocks about five to ten percent heavier depending on your application. See the photos below to tell which piston you have.