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Couple of quick questions, specific bike in question is a 2015 29r Evo Comp
Horst Link/chainstay pivot -
I think it's possible mine has seized. What's the range of movement on these pivots? Should it be obviously visible to the naked eye when cycling the suspension with 75-100 psi in the shock/with no shock attached or is it just a few degrees?
Pivot bearings generally
Is there a way to tell they're knackered without removing swingarm etc? There is no perceptible play or sticking with shock and rear wheel removed (subject to chainstay pivot question above).
If I need a set what is the best source Specialized dealer or any reliable online source? Given the faff I'd rather buy expensive bearings and do it once than buy cheap fit twice.
Just done an air can service for first time in ages and was pleasantly surprised how clean it was inside. Obviously not ridden enough.
Can you show me what bit, I've had 15/16/17 Enduro.
All use 6802 I think it was. Easy to take apart and I just stick my pinkie in and turn. If it's not a very easy turn, it's dead.
Horst Link bearings don't move much, which is why some bikes over the years have had flex points on the chain stays rather than bearings.
In general, if the rear of the bike moves pretty freely with the shock removed, and there is no play or creaking with the bike fully assembled, then there is a good chance that the bearings are at least 'OK'. That said, bearings can completely seize and the seized inner race will just rotate on the pivot hardware rather than the bearing itself rotating. It can also be surprising to feel just how rough bearings can feel with the rear end taken apart even though everything felt smooth with the frame assembled.
The only way to know for sure is to take the frame apart and feel the bearings by hand.
They don't move much at all. On my old fsr it was pretty easy to separate the four bars at the shock rocker. You can then wobble the chainstay link a bit more and feel it.
Great thanks all. Trying to rapidly work through a years worth of generally doing nothing more than oiling the chain and changing brake pads.
I recently took apart my Transition Sentier to check bearings - it’s 12 months old and everything felt quite smooth with the shock out. All the linkage bearings were fine, one of the 2 main bearings was gritty but serviceable - but 3 out of the 4 Horst link bearings were seized solid. Would never have guessed without taking it all apart for a look.
Often you have pairs of bearings at the horst link pressed together back to back with a ridge of metal between them. You’ll need either a slide hammer, a blind puller, or those expanding bolt things you can get that you then hammer out.
Thanks @joebristol I bought an eBay bearing pulling and seating kit a month or two back with this job in mind so should have the gear.
Just need a bearing kit now.
We use Trailvision for all our Specialized bearings
https://trailvision.co.uk/collections/all-blueseal-bike-bearing-frame-bearings-kits
@Tracey thanks I've just bought a set and some headset bearings too.
Let the swear fest and stress of doing this for the first time myself begin (when the postie turns up). Hopefully I won't find they've seized and I've busted the frame. 😬
I changed the bearings on several Stumpy frames of various years. Most were ok, just the double blind bearing on the rear of the seat stay could be problematic.