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Strange sound from my rear shock - seems to be when the shock is depressed (not sad) and released, there's a knocking sound which seems to be coming from the lower shock mount. Is this fairly simple to replace at home, not too technical? Will I need some kind of press?
I used this lot to replace the bushings on my very old Trance:
https://www.offsetbushings.com/collections/frontpage/products/standard-bushing
And I bought this tool as well:
Its a 2 min job with no tools required. I have a 2015 trance.
Really? 2 mins with no tools? How did you pop out the old and install the new one?
Lower shock mount doesn't use a bush, there are bearings instead (the top mount is a bush, but is also mounted on bearings). Sounds like the bearings need replacing.
Thanks mate
I meant no specialist tools, I needed a socket or whatever was required.
The bush just slipped out, as above there is only one
Let's know how you get on, I think I'm needing to do this too.
If its like any of the Giants I have done recently if there is play in the lower shock mount and the bolt is tight you need new frame bearings or something is damaged.
Upper can be a DU bush, low friction bush, there is a proper tool for the DU bush but it can be done with a couple of sockets and a vice or nut/bolt, easily doable with a little care. Check the pin that goes through the bush for wear as well.
It's a 2014 Trance
I'll check the lower bolt is tightened up. I don't have a torque wrench but common sense usually prevails...
So lower is a bearing, upper is a bush on the '14 model? Seem to recall it was either a 12mm or a 12.7mm bearing. There's a few Giant dealers here so perhaps I'll pop in - I expect this sort of stuff is normal stock for them. It does seem like it's the lower mount that I can feel/hear play as opposed to the upper mount, but I guess it makes sense to do both at the same time.
While watching various clips I also saw how bloody easy it is for an air sleeve service, and to replace the fork oil/wipers/seals. Considering LBS's are quoting me $100+ for a shock, $100+ for a fork service it looks like if I can get all the bits I need, my Monday and Tuesday annual leave will be well utilised!!!
LBS quoted:
$45 for fox bushing kit
$15 x 2 for bearings
$30 for labour
$90 all in. Hope their workshop skills are better than their maths!
Saw that TF Tuned only do "heavy duty" kits now which are meant to last longer. Also that you can use Enduro roller bearings. Is it worth going this route in the grand scheme of things?
DELETE
It's dead easy to do with the tool. I tried roller bearings in my trance and they didn't last 5 mins. Went back to regular bushing.
Ok.. I'll order the bits and have a crack.
Ah I never got round to doing this myself. I put a post up on a local MTB Facebook group asking for LBS rec's and rough idea for cost to replace the whole lot, pivot bearings on the frame and shock bearings / bushings and a chap was suggested. Runs a bike repair business called Bike Collect.
Emailed him and got a quote for Enduro bearings and fitting and he came back and said $200 (full complement of bearings was around $130 cheapest I could find). He said he would pop over to my place and pick up the bike, which he did last night (Weds). He already ordered the bearings from his supplier, seemed to know his stuff, and said he could probs get it done and deliver the bike back to me Friday night in time for the weekend! I was pretty happy with that.
Bearing (lol) in mind the bike was second hand to me nearly three years ago I'm quite keen to get it back, I'm sure I'll notice a big improvement - reviews of people who've "upgraded" to Enduro bearings seem to be decent and at least I know it's all going to be done to a decent standard - better than I'd do anyways!
Looking forward to Friday night! Not a bad service IMHO, to get the parts, do the work, and pick up / drop off the bike.
Bye bye bike. 😂
Haha Nah he's legit. Bringing it back tonight..... He says!
hahahaha
He phoned me when I got home. Apparently there's 2 variations to the Trance 2015 bearing kit - one has a slightly different bearing in one of the pivots. He bought the wrong variation. But his mate's shop has some, he but was closed by the time he realised he fked up.
Bike's coming back tomorrow morning.....
😀
Got my bike back - new bearings / bushing fitted.
But.... Still got the knocking sound from the shock, so it wasn't the bearings or bushings at fault.
So... oil change an new seals, see how that works out.
If that doesn't work....
What: 200x57 rear shock? Monarch RT3 seems a reasonable option price wise?
200x57 fits the 14 Trance, but standard is 200x51. 200x57 gives you ~157mm compared to 140mm in the rear if I remember correctly.
The Trance REALLY suits a coil in my experience. A 200x51 DB Inline would be mint in my opinion. I found Monarchs to be overdamped and nothing special. I'm fairly light though.
In 80kg + gear.
Yeah it's 51mm you're right. I was not paying attention when I googled. Whoops!
Hadn't considered a coil on the back tbh. Got 140mn fox factory 34 up front.
Float service kit is 35 bucks so I might give that a shot first as it's been a whilecsince I've done one it might just need a little TLC
Just curious.... Did you tell they guy you were having the bearings etc changed to sort the knocking noise?
Nope. I wanted the bearings doing anyway and it also appeared that the knocking sound was coming from the lower mount so assumed that would fix the issue (and a frame overhaul at the same time). The shock is well overdue a service as it's been way more than 50 hours though - just hoping the time I've ridden it without servicing hasn't caused any physical damage, which might be the case.
Float service kit is 35 bucks so I might give that a shot first as it’s been a whilecsince I’ve done one it might just need a little TLC
Are you planning on doing a full service or an air can service?
If the shock is knocking it is very unlikely an air can service will make any difference, I would expect an issue in the damper.
Righty...
So a damper rebuild would be a full service, as opposed to an just an air sleeve service?
So could be looking at a full float service @ $189 (AUD) now best case scenario.
If the air damper is damaged (through neglect / lack of servicing) then I guess I need to weigh up if a complete rebuild and service is worth it over a completely new shock? Argh!?!?!
Yeah an air can service is cheap and easy to do your self, just replace and re-grease seals basically. It's unlikely that will solve the knocking issue as Bigyan said.
A full damper service is much more involved.
Yeah.. Lacking in nitrogen.