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just been informed by my lbs that my upper link is shot to bits, as the bike was in to have the bearing propack replaced. However, i was informed that although the bearings are under warranty from jungle as the original set when the bike was new were replaced after a year with the propack, the links are not. LBS said the cost is £103! for the link. It seems jungle wont budge on this and the mechanic is pretty sure the bearings being siezed has caused the problem with the link, anyone got any ideas or suggestions please? Jungle say that a revision 2 link with better bearings is available, does this not suggest a problem with the original???
Have you spoke to jungle direct or via your LBS?
When I've dealt with them they've been great, really helpful and honest.
If I was in your situation I'd speak to them and offer to post the link to them so they can examine it and decide if it's warrentable or not. Hard to tell without seeing the part.
Having a revision 2 just means they made some improvements, doesn;t necessarily mean anythings wrong - I think mine is a mark 1 revision 2, should be a little 'x' on the upper link. I sent the whole frame back and they still replaced the bearings that were shot for free despite it being an 07/08 frame.
it is through my LBS, i trust them . I had the propack done 3 years ago and it has gone again , not that i have an issue with that as 3 years i feel for the bearings is acceptable, especially as they are free under warranty this time. The bearings in the upper link seem to be shot to bits and the mechanic is having problems removing them from the link. This i think is leading to the problem with the link which jungle say is not covered and is very pricy imho. I have emailed santa cruz directly to see what their stance is and am awaiting reply.
I'd still give jungle a call to be honest, better than emailing SC.
I did have a go at replacing the bearings myself but couldn't shift 2 of them in the lower link (common issue with mrk1s according to jungle). I was advised to use a serious amount of 'persuasion' with a hammer / wood but wasn't happy hitting it any harder!
£70 covered posting it off to them, coming back and a couple of replacement axles, these were non warrentable as apparently it says in the user manual (not that I saw it...) you are supposed to pop the axles out and regrease every 6 months, otherwise they can seize and the bearings score them. Pain in the ass if you ask me, prob why the mark 2's have grease ports.
Still have Jungle's number in my phone if you need it, can't remember the chaps name though as it was a good year ago now.
I'd want to see what "difficulty removing" and "shot to bits" means.
I replaced my (original, 2006 vintage) bearings this summer. The big bearing in the upper link collapsed when I tried to tap it out in a shower of balls and bits of retainer. After a minute or two of stomach churning panic (we were flying to colorado for a trip-of-a-lifetime a couple of days later) it was actually a really easy job to tap out the remains of the outer race from the link with absolutely no damage to the link.
I know you trust your LBS, but the cynic in me thinks theyve made a pigs ear of removing your bearings and are trying to cover it up (Ive seen other LBS's I respected do similar and worse). I cant see how a bearing that presumably hadnt collapsed in use (youd have noticed if it had) has damaged the linkage, and think user error on the part of the mechanic is more likely.
I also spoke with them about their frame 'crash replacement' policy at the time and a whole replacement frame (minus shock) would have cost me £500-600ish at the time so would have thought jungle may do you a deal on the part if you speak nicely to them?
EDIT - I tend to agree with MC. Unless your LBS regularly services VPP suspension (doubtful) AND you got the expert not some monkey on work experience I'd be a bit suspicious - hence why I gave it a go myself and then dealt with the supplier direct.
the mechanic said it was siezed and he was using a dremmel on it to remove it. However it went in,in the first place for play in the upper link bearings. Now you are making me suspicious! maybe i will get jungles number and phone directly. I think i may be able to knock off early tomorrow and visit the shop to see the actual state of play. I hope you are wrong about the shop though, i like to think the best of people whenever possible. Now suspicion has been aroused!
A dremel! Certainly not in the servicing guide. He really should have discussed with you prior to get your approval saying it might cock stuff up
I'd be getting the LBS to stump up for that then, jungle may sort you out a part at cost if you are lucky
01423 780088 - jungle imports (or was last year)
Sadly I've been out of pocket at the hands of a incompetant LBS a couple of times now so learnt to do most stuff myself. You don't happen to live in southampton do you ?!
Oh - and if it helps after I serviced the bearings I still noticed knocking, turns out it the rear shock bush had gone as well.
How often do you guys ride? What type of riding do you do?
My Nomad is just over a year old and had all the bearings replaced after 5 months and it looks like the bottom link one's are on the way out again. )-:
Used to be my only bike so rode everywhere 2-3 times a week, now I have a hardtail too so the nomad is only used for Welsh trail centres and an annual trip to morzine (and occassionally swinley). Not fairweather only as it always seems to rain when I go to Afan...
It's needed one full service in 3 or so years, which meant 2 axles, 3 bearings and a shock bush in that time. Not bad at all.
The mark2's were supposed to address the issue of popping the axles out to regrease every 6 months by adding grease ports. I wouldn't be too happy if the bearings only lasted 5 months riding - unless you are doing a season in morzine....
i dont ride as often as i would like but i get out usually a couple of times a week. Mainly swinley, also wales , peaks, scotland, and a yearly alps trip, as said earlier original bearings around a year, propack replacement set have lasted 3 years. I aint no slender racing snake either! so the propack has done well imho. I will be on the phone first thing in the morning now as you have scared me with the horror stories etc. Thanks to all who replied and advised