Methods and apparatus for adjusting a spring pre-load

Abstract

A wrench and nut combination, including: a wrench lug including: a wrench lug feature that substantially mates with a nut feature of a nut of a shock absorber during a first rotation of said nut, relative to external body threads on a body of the shock absorber, in a first direction, wherein the wrench lug feature and the nut feature release during a second rotation of said nut, relative to the external body threads, in a second direction, wherein at least one of the first rotation and the second rotation causes an adjustment to a compressive coil spring pre-load of a set of coil springs disposed in the shock absorber.

What we claim is: 
     
         1 . A shock absorber comprising:
 a shock absorber body;   a mechanical spring coupled to said shock absorber body; and   an axially movable spring retainer coupled to said shock absorber body and said mechanical spring, said axially movable spring retainer configured to adjust an axial position of said mechanical spring with respect to said shock absorber body, said axially movable spring retainer comprising:
 an outer diameter surface; and 
 a plurality of notches formed into said outer diameter surface, said plurality of notches configured to engage with a lever apparatus to enable rotation of said axially movable spring retainer with respect to said shock absorber body, said rotation of said axially movable spring retainer adjusting a pre-load on said a mechanical spring, wherein said plurality of notches are distributed about said outer diameter surface of said axially movable spring retainer at regular intervals, said plurality of notches having a shape configured to receive respective lugs of said lever apparatus, said plurality of notches further configured such that, when said respective lugs of said lever apparatus engage said plurality of notches, axial movement of said lever apparatus is prevented, said plurality of notches and said respective lugs of said lever apparatus further configured such that said lever apparatus remains positioned relative to said axially movable spring retainer during a repositioning following a tightening or a loosening stroke of said lever apparatus.