My Orange ST4 has developed some lateral rear triangle play and I'm part way through disassembling it. I have already discovered play in the shock bushing as well as the main pivot bearing so plan to replace those.
I'm stuck with the shock mounting hardware. Having removed the hex bolt with cover from each side of the shock mount, it seems that there is now a bolt (threaded inside for the hex bolt) going through the frame mount, bushing and shock eye. It doesn't seem to want to move with moderate persuasion.
Is there some mechanically sympathetic way I should be getting this shock bolt out?
Have you taken the weight off of the rear triangle so its not keeping the bolt in? Then push it gently with a long thin implement...
Bigger hammer.
I tend to screw the bolts back in halfway and then hit the bolt with a hammer.
Put one of the bolts back in for a couple of threads and give the end of the bolt a light tap
record speed on the answers - thanks
Rear triangle already disconnected, it's now just the linkage attached to the shock one end and frame at the other end of the shock. Both with these problematic bolts.
I'll try the screw the hex back in and "tapping" that.
Hmm with the way that the st4 has welded on triangle to which the shock mounts I don't fancy giving it the wack side on which seems to be needed to shift the bolt. Even with wood under it it looks wrong as thought it would bend that triangle or damage the welds that join it to top tube
Same as current st4 to see what I mean on orange website.
In that case, make yourself a puller. Long M6 bolt with a large washer under the head,through a short piece of tube that the threaded sleeve will pass through,screw into threaded sleeve and tighten until it pulls out.
Thanks coast. Think I get what you mean.
Is there any way (solvent?) to soften thread lock first as I think that's why the bolt won't budge