Creaky Santa Cruz, recommend grease gun and grease type.

A local spin out yesterday quickly developed into a creak fest. Some part of the suspension linkage was clicking/creaking on every compression. Pressed down from the frame and it created so can rule out bottom bracket and saddle.

This is the previous model Hightower c frame. Only 5 or 6 rides old.

Any tips on service, right grease to buy, do I need the Santa Cruz grease gun to use the port on the lower linkage or will any work?

Thanks in advance of any advice.

Not the answer you were after, but i just use silicone bike spray then swap out the bearings every year for free under their warranty.

I wouldn’t bother with the Santa Cruz gun, read up on the reviews – it’s useless.

After some research, I went for the following and it’s been faultless:

Hilka Pro-Craft Manual Grease Gun – Screwfix

Mobil Polyrex EM Electric Motor Bearing Grease – 390g – Opie Oils

I find mashing a load of grease in works about 50% of the time for creaks. Trouble is the grease finds the path of least resistance and oozes out one bearing rather than filling the whole thing and greasing all four.

Good news is that I’ve found that removing all the suspension bolts and re-applying loctite/grease and re-touquing using the directions/numbers as per this page has always fixed any creaks that grease-gunning hasn’t.

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-GB/bike/hightower/1

You need to make sure you are checking the actual bolts not just the visible ones that just tighten up the wedges.

Note that at some point (MY18 I think), suspension bearings were switched from radial to angular contact and touque numbers are very different between the two (both are shown on that page).

I’d hazard a guess it’s probably coming from the upper link. If the washers and dust seals are dry they creak against the swing arm and top tube interface.

Put a light smear of grease on the outside of the washers/dust seals.

I might have a spare SC grease gun. I’ve never had a problem with them.
Msg me if you’re interested.

I wouldn’t bother with the Santa Cruz gun, read up on the reviews – it’s useless.

After some research, I went for the following and it’s been faultless:

Hilka Pro-Craft Manual Grease Gun – Screwfix

Mobil Polyrex EM Electric Motor Bearing Grease – 390g – Opie Oils

Does that grease tube fit straight into the hilka gun like the one that comes with the gun? I’ve been after some more grease for mine as I’ve ran out but couldn’t find any that fit

No, the Mobil grease cartridge is the bigger type so it doesn’t fit directly. I’ve just spooned the grease out and into the empty gun as it’s all it’s used for. You don’t need much, so it’s not been an issue.

Dave – Its a 3oz tube of grease you need for your grease gun if its the same as mine
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262508772179?var=0

Plenty about on Ebay etc…