My lad has bought an old and battered Spesh Status (2012) as a project. It needs various jobs doing - new brakes etc etc but the one that I have noticed is that if I lift the back end up and drop it there is a distinct knock. I have tried to trace it and can't seem to feel anything from the bushings etc.
The shock itself feel surprisingly smooth if I just push down on the back. The coil shock is a stock 'custom X-Fusion Vector R shock' (216x63.5mm). It's been an awfully long time since I have had anything to do with suspension - certainly rear suspension - so what could it be? The shock itself, or the settings have been monkeyed about with? Any ideas?
Thanks.
Always a difficult one @MrSparkle Try removing the wheel and shock to check bearings, although they can feel good under load it may reveal play when moved up and down by hand. Whilst the wheel is off check the bearings and axle, torquing it up correctly on reassembly. Check for play in the shock eyes and correctly torque all your suspension pivots.
if no faults found then check for frame cracks! Good luck!
Thanks for that. 👍
I would take a look at the main pivot bolt near the BB. That was what was wrong (bolt was almost worn through = lots of slack) with my 05 Spesh Epic with a similar issue a few years ago when i was refurbing for EpicJnr. Changed all the bearings, got a new bolt and everything smooth again. Be on the look out for circlips - that flummoxed me with a few of the bearings.
At a guess, the shock bearings need replaced. Put thumb and finger over a bearing and gently lift bike. If the bearing is gubbed you should feel the movement. Go round every pivot point and check them, once done, do the same with the shock mounts.
That should determine if any of those need replaced and should help remove the knock.
Updating my earlier reply - dodgy memory bank - the bolt was ok - the main pivot bearings were shot and seized to the bolt. LBS had to sort that for me. Difficult to get a replacement bolt so had to clean up the bolt to remove the rusted surface as best as possible and refit w new bearings
THe fact that the main pivot bearings were shot meant that there was a lot of slack when lifting and putting it down, but when it was loaded the slack was gone -sounds like you might be getting something similar
Bearings likely but I'd start with the shock bushings as they'll be cheaper and easier to DIY.
I found Spesh four bar bearings ok to do but the Horst Link ones (by the rear mech) can be an absolute swine. It's a double bearing and there's a ridge between them so both are a blind pull. Persistence and patience will get it done but there are more pleasant ways to spend your time.
Smashing. Thanks for all the replies.
As DickBarton says, using your fingers to feel for play is generally the easiest method. I've had play in bearings/bushings that has made quite a knocking noise but is barely noticeable when feeling for it. You could also remove the shock to cycle the rear end linkage to see if the bearings feel smooth with no shock there.
Will do. 👍
Can you fit offset shock bushings and an Angleset to it?
I have no idea but I suspect that it won’t be happening tbh!