Bit of a problem and any help much appreciated.
Lift the seat on my single pivot bike and there is a little tap which usually means worn bushings or top hats. Took the shock off checked and replaced a couple of the top hats which are now nice and tight in the bushings, replaced all still tapping. Took it off again and noticed that the mounting bolts are actually quite loose in the frame mount holes, however these don't seem ovalised or obviously damaged. Should the mounting bolts be a tight fit in the frame mounting holes I've never noticed if they were or not? Obviously when I tighten the bolts up they lose most of the play but I think that's where it may be coming from.
I've got a single pivot, and when the mounting hardware is torqued there is no movement in the mount holes... so if i read your description correctly you are stating movement occurs even when torqued?
My frames mount holes are not a super tight tolerance with the bolt either. The bolt also rattles a tad inside the shock hardware, again not a tight fit, but, when torqued that goes away.
If it's not that it could be something in the shock.
My pals fox rp with propedal removed has a brass weight in that rattles slightly.
Did you change the top hats without changing the DU bush? If so I would get these changed out too as they should always wear out faster than the top hats (the DU bush is supposed to be the sacrificial part).
There's always some play in the mounting bolts when they are loose, otherwise they'd be an absolute mare to install!
Haven't changed the shock bush just put in a couple of lightly used top hats I had spare I expect that it's the bush but I can't replicate the play off the bike.
Thanks all.
Most likely the bushes, I reckon the 'heavy duty' replacement sets (inc top hats) from TF are best.
Check all the bearing bolts, especially the main pivot ones are done up tight.
Just set about it with the long allen keys and all sorted. Thanks all will deffo change the bushes shortly..
Bottom Bushing!!! Had the same on my Cube so got the bushings and tool from TFTuned, a vise to push it out and new bushing fitted SORTED....no more play.
Is it a orange with a carriage for adjusting the travel? these can sometimes come loose too.
As said above change the shock bushes, I've got some 'Igus' polymer du bushes on their way to me which should last better than the standard metal DU bushes.
It's an Ellsworth Joker. Play is almost completely gone now but will order bushings and tool shortly.
The small amount of play will be the Bushing, they dont give a lot of play unless its well and truly worn, if you lift it up and get a small tap then its the bushing on the way out. Should be no need to change the top just the bottom.
Just make sure you have a big enough vise to do the job yourself, its easy.