If you’re serious about your suspension setup—whether you’re hitting backcountry trails, towing loads, or just keeping your rig dialed in for daily duty—there’s one maintenance task you shouldn’t ignore: shock rebuilds.
Just like you wouldn’t run the same oil for 100,000 miles, you shouldn’t expect your shocks to go forever without service. Rebuildable shocks are designed to be serviced. And if you’re not taking advantage of that, you’re leaving performance on the table and possibly damaging other components in the process.
What Is a Shock Rebuild?
A shock rebuild is a full tear-down and service of your suspension shocks. It usually includes:
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Disassembly of the shock body
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Inspection of internal components
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Replacement of seals, bushings, oil, and wear items
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Nitrogen recharge (for reservoir shocks)
This isn’t a band-aid fix. It brings your shocks back to like-new performance, restoring dampening, eliminating fade, and extending the life of your setup.
Why Rebuild Instead of Replace?
If you’re running rebuildable shocks—think King, Fox, ICON, Bilstein, etc.—they’re designed to be serviced, not tossed.
Here’s why rebuilds make sense:
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Cost-effective: A rebuild is often half the cost of new shocks.
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Performance restoration: You get that day-one ride quality back.
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Custom tuning: Opportunity to revalve or adjust internals for your driving style.
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Long-term durability: Keeps your entire suspension system working as it should.
If you're running high-end suspension, rebuilds are part of the ownership game—plain and simple.
Signs It’s Time for a Shock Rebuild
How do you know when your shocks need attention? Watch for:
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Fading performance (mushy ride, poor rebound)
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Fluid leaks around the shaft or seals
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Excessive bounce after bumps or dips
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Clunking noises from worn bushings or internals
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More than 20K-40K miles on a set, especially off-road use
Aggressive trail use or hauling can add up quickly. Even daily drivers see wear over time. Some guys wait until a shock fails—we don’t recommend that. A proactive rebuild saves you from blowing out seals, damaging shafts, or incurring a more significant expense later on.
How Often Should You Rebuild Your Shocks?
There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but here’s a rough guide:
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Mild off-road / weekend warrior: Every 30K–40K miles
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Heavy off-road use / overlanding: Every 15K–25K miles
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Desert racing / high-speed abuse: Every 1,000–5,000 miles (yes, really)
Your driving style, terrain, and shock brand all play a role. When in doubt, bring ‘em in for an inspection.
We Rebuild Shocks In-House
At Fat Bob’s Garage, we rebuild shocks in-house with care and precision. We service most major brands and can even walk you through custom tuning options if you want to dial things in even further. Whether you’re prepping for a trip, chasing down ride issues, or just doing smart maintenance, we’ve got you.
TL;DR – Quick Recap
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Rebuildable shocks are made to be serviced—don’t toss ‘em.
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Rebuilds restore performance, save money, and extend shock life.
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Watch for leaks, clunks, fade, or high mileage.
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Get a rebuild every 15K–40K miles, depending on use.
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We can handle shock rebuilds in-house. Let’s get yours back in shape.
Ready to Book?
Give us a shout or swing by the shop. We’ll inspect your shocks and let you know if it’s time for a refresh. Don’t wait until they blow—get ahead of it and ride smoother.
