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So I recently serviced my rear shock. I re-installed it, but after just a few rides, it started to develop a clicking noise when compressed. As far as I could tell, the noise was coming the bushing/mounting bolts area.
I have since taken the shock out and cleaned it throughly. My question is, should I re-install it dry, or should I apply grease to bolts and bushings?
Can't seem to find much clear guidance on the internet. Pivot for example advocates using a fair bit of grease (see link below). Others claim that the grease is bad as it will attract dirt - I was indeed riding on very dry and dusty trails, so perhaps this was the cause of the clicking.
Plain DU or polymer bushings should be left bone dry. They’re self lubricating.
Thanks. But I guess a bit of grease on the mounting bolts won't hurt?
I grease all bolts and blue lipstick threads. dU bushes leave dry.
Thanks Wally 😉
Following applies for newer FOX shock mounting designs:
"clicking noise" is deadly there. The mounting bolts need to get MORE tightened!
Neat design but function not right away obvious. There is a hollow sleeve. Then a bearing. Then the shock. All mounted as a pressed in package. The mounting bolt goes through the "hollow sleeve" - once torque is applied there is no swivel motion between the bolt and this sleeve - means doesn't matter if you apply grease or not...
Thread of mounting bolt: loctite medium
Clicking noise: play between mounting bolt and sleeve. Will quickly turn into a problem. You need to apply more torque to the bolt...
Correct torque: no play, no clicking. Only then the sleeve / bearing / shock design works properly. Fox has somewhere a cut view of the design. Then it will be clear.