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Whilst cleaning my bike I noticed a small amount of vertical play in the rear suspension. I've removed the rear shock and it would appear that the top du bush is worn.
What method have you tried to remove the the bush and found to be successful. Are the DU removal tools worth buying or would use of sockets and a vice work?
Secondly there seem to be a few replacement options which promise to provide better performance, TF tuned offer a low friction or heavy duty kit, enduring do a needle bearing replacement.
Has anyone personal experience of what works best?
I've only ever replaced like for like using whatever socket like things came to hand to remove the bush. They appear to be made of cheese I'd be interested to hear about other options.
[url= http://www.tftunedshox.com/Miscellaneous/Mount-Kits-and-Bushings/Mount-Kits-127mm ]HD kit from TFT[/url]
[url= http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk/items.asp?CategoryID=231&Name=Fox+Needle+Roller+Bearing ]Needle bearing otion from BETD[/url]
[url= http://faqload.com/faqs/bicycle-components/suspension/real-world-cycling-shock-eye-needle-bearing-kit-install-on-anthem-x ]RWC kit installation[/url]
Having read that not so sure............
Heavy duty kit from J-TECH.I,ve got that set up in my Anthem and Reign.Very pleased.
Maestro suspension is known for wearing out that DU bush rather quickly - something to do with rotational force IIRC.
3rd party bearing suppliers like TFT & RWC stepped into the gap and supplied something better suited for the job. However, for the 2013 models Fox (assuming yours is a Fox shock) have caught up with the game and supply a new "five piece flanged bearing" as standard instead of the DU bush. They claim it has 50% less friction and lasts 10x longer (you'll notice a couple of O rings in the picture, which might have something to do with it!)
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One came on my 2013 Anthem just as the DU bush was wearing out on my Trance, so I ordered one for that as well. Only place I could find one at the time was from one of the German online sites, but I think they are more commonly available now. You still need a DU bush removal tool (I picked up one on Ebay for ten quid [url= http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fox-Shock-Bush-Removal-Tool-2-X-DU-Bushes-/111001057848? ]here[/url]) to get the old DU bush out, but the new bearing doesn't need a tool to fit/remove.
Or you could still go the 3rd party route...
Useful information Perth mtb . Yes mine is a Fox RP23.
I believe Fox are 1/2 inch and the bolt is 6mm with a 22mm spacer.
[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fox-Rear-Shock-Low-Friction-Bushing-Kit-Du-Bush-Spacers-For-6mm-Bolt-Shox-/400362522777?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item5d37774899 ]Fox low frction bush and mounting kit[/url]
£18 on ebay.I think I`ll get this and that £10 tool.
Let us know if you can tell any difference in the real world, need to replace mine soon too
Yep, that's the one. My Trance took the 6mm x 20.83mm size (which I don't notice them offering on that site), but can't guarantee the Anthem will be the same.
Here's where I got mine if its any help - [url= http://www.bike-components.de/products/info/p32317_Aluminium-Einbaubuchsenset-6-mm-5-teilig-Modell-2013-.html ]New Fox bushing[/url]
DT78 - couldn't notice any difference in feel - the thing just works, but I'll sure notice if this one lasts longer than the 9 months the original DU bushing lasted 😀
Hmm what do I need 22.2 or 21.84? Anyone know?
My trusty steel rule doesn`t do decimal places!!
21.84mm iircc.
perthmtb what year trance do you have? mine is 6x22mm
Thank you Greeble.
Yeah, that 20.83 doesn't sound right does it - maybe I put the wrong size in there 😳 (adds 'change shock bushing' to list of things to do next weekend!)
Anyway, just measured the new 5 piece bushing that came standard on my 2013 Anthem and it's 6mm x 21.84mm, so you should be right with that one.
The German site has them but p and p makes a big dent in the savings. I've emailed Active sports on ebay to find out when they are getting the 21.84 kits in, as they had the best price I could find £18.
Mojo want £28 for the same.
The tool I've ordered comes with a couple of free du bushes so I am going to put one back in, and reuse the existing spacers until I can get the low friction kit.
Sounds like a plan...
Meanwhile, I've ordered a new bushing of the right size for my Trance. Yes, I know its only 1mm, but now I know its the wrong size it'll bug the hell out of me until its changed! 😡
Just for some info, my top shock du bush on my 2013 anthem in now showing signs of wear after 6months / 1600km so will need replacing pretty soon
Just put a new one in last week from loco, so waiting to see how that lasts.
RRP is £28 per end.....? Blimey 😯
i bought the betd tool, and a pack of hula hoops. couple of quid a pop, and dont need doing THAT often (once a year maybe). its TOO easy with the tool to not have it.
I can see how a bearing kit would make it plusher, but the high loads at that end of the link will wear it out super quick (thats why they use bushes!)
i did consider making a replacement upper link, that took press fit "proper" bearings in the rocker, and then clamped the shock (like the bottom one does), but i dont think it would be strong enough without forging.
I don't think it's £28 per end, it's £28 total, because for my anthem you only need one end (the other is part of the pivot) and loco only charged me £15 for the one end.