Another squeak discussion

[gopherhockey]

I have a noise coming from my Blur that is driving me CRAZY! :crazy2:

I have given up hope of fixing it on my own and am turning to you fine people...

The details: I believe it is coming from the area where the rear shock bolts into the top tube. Two small brackets are welded to the frame - you slip the shock between them, then stick a bolt through and tighten it. (many of you have a similar setup I'm sure)

It creaks. Bad.

I have tried all sorts of lubes with no avail. I have tried cleaning with alcohol bla bla bla - nothng seems to work. The funny thing is that if I wash the bike, it doesn't creak for the first 2-3 laps around Leb, then starts up again eventually. (perhaps the small amount of moisture is able to get in and slightly lube things up enough.. who knows)

Should I turn to a more heavy grease or something? It really seems like a bad design - the shock just moves up and down on a metal to metal surface. It doesn't move much, of course.. but ever so slightly.

Maybe I am overtightening it... or undertightening.. (I have tried both, nothing has fixed it) It seems to hold it in pretty tight - probably rubbing on both sides AND inside where the bolt slips through the end of the shock.

For a while when I would remove the bolt that holds the shock in I would find metal shavings where the washer meets the bracket that hangs down to the frame. Both the bolt and the top of the shock seem to have some of the black anno paint "rubbed" into it. I thought maybe I'd try buff that off....

Or, try a totally different rear shock/bolt etc.

Anyone else ever have this happen to them and find a solution?

[Trevize1138]

Apply WD-40 liberally to the problem area.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

Are you sure it's the shock area and not something else? How 'bout your seat post? Have you tried tightening your bottom bracket? Oh, wait, you've got that XTR stuff with a spline fitting on the bottom bracket ... may not be the same then ... hmm

I know! Sell your full suspension for a hard tail and all your problems will be solved!

:)

[tmac]

[i]

I know! Sell your full suspension for a hard tail and all your problems will be solved!

:) [/B]

John, I am afraid that you were asking for that one.
:laugh: :laugh:

[BrightYellow]

You're not the only one with a squeak... seems to be going around...

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/2003_Full_Suspension/product_121929.shtml

[manual63]

Squeaks can come from anywhere and it sounds like it's in the frame, so first be sure you know the noise is with the shock. Cranks and Bottom Brackets tend to resonate through the whole frame giving you false feelings of where the noise is.

If you are sure it's the suspension, make sure there is no frame stress or cracks. Sometimes a broken frame can make a lot of noise and you can't see the break. These types of things suck to deal with, but the manufacturer would know what to do best or a shop who is familiar with selling that model.

Hope this helps.

[gopherhockey]

I knew I'd get the hardtail comment ;) Funny thing is since I got my Blur I haven't ridden the singlespeed (which has only about 3 laps at Lebanon on it).

No doubt I've been trying to chase this noise at other spots - it just seems strange that I can actually feel the click/squeak at the point I described. In the past messing around with it had changed the amount of noise, but lately it has not... so... maybe I DO need to take another look around the bike just to be sure.

I do see other Blur owners have had this same issue - thanks for pointing that out. Perhaps I can get one of them to tell me where exactly they are lubing their bike to get rid of it.

Until then, I'm going out right now to flood the thing with triflow and see if I can chase it down yet again.

It upsets me more considering how much I paid for this thing - now I'm so annoyed with it I'm about ready to go back to the singlespeed... thats just how bad it has become! :fool:

[Kingbozo]

Just a thought-It might be worth a shot to call or E Mail Santa Cruz. They might be aware that there is a problem and might have a fix.

[fsrslug]

Does this noise/squeak happen when you pedal? coasting? or both? can you get it to make it when standing still and bouncing on the bike? how about with your feet not on the pedals?

[gopherhockey]

It makes the noise while pedaling and while coasting. It makes it while turning and while not (at least trying not to) turn.

Haven't tried with feet not on pedals. Ouch, that might hurt - but I'll try it.

Interesting to note that I washed my bike the other evening and had then went out to ride Lebanon. It was COMPLETELY quiet for the first 14 miles, but around mile 15 it started up again.

I'm going to email Santa Cruz about this. I also emailed the dealer where I bought the bike but have not heard back yet.

[Kingbozo]

Does it happen both when seated and standing?

[Trevize1138]

Try riding the bike with no feet on the pedals and without sitting at the same time and see if it squeaks ... :crazy:

[fsrslug]

Originally posted by gopherhockey
Haven't tried with feet not on pedals. Ouch, that might hurt - but I'll try it.Originally posted by Trevize1138
Try riding the bike with no feet on the pedals and without sitting at the same time and see if it squeaks ...

ok, a little clarification, lower the seat or sit so that you have a foot on the ground and bounce on it a little, otherwise, yeah, it might be slightly uncomfortable, I think i heard Phil Ligget say "He almost lost his manhood on that one" today on the tour coverage

[Dr. Guitar]

I had some really old shimano cleats that I suddenly replaced with new, but kept the old clipless pedals. I had a squeek from the lack of meshing between the two.

[Kingbozo]

Originally posted by fsrslug
ok, a little clarification, lower the seat or sit so that you have a foot on the ground and bounce on it a little, otherwise, yeah, it might be slightly uncomfortable, I think i heard Phil Ligget say "He almost lost his manhood on that one" today on the tour coverage

I think it was Sherwin-couldn't help but laugh. "He has cracked" was another classic they pulled out yesterday.

[gopherhockey]

The more I play with the noise the more I think it is definitely where the rear shock connects to the top tube.

I read an interesting bit today in Colorado Cyclist catalog about the new 5th Element rear shock for the Blur. One of the things they state:

"Spherical ball joint mounting eyelets insure smooth action & improved durability, even on commonly found misaligned frame mounts."

This sounds pretty much like something that could solve my problem. The way the Fox shock fits into the frame mounts I believe is rubbing.

The 5th Element is supposed to be a dang good one as well, and is under 200 grams. Maybe a shock replacement is in order.... I hate to have to wash my bike after each ride to get rid of that noise.

(Santa Cruz has not offered any suggestions yet, nor has my dealer)

Anyone want to buy a slightly used Fox rear shock?

BTW: they also have the FOX Talas front fork for $499.00 down from $689.99. Anyone want to buy a slightly used Fox float 100 RLC? ;)

[Dr. Guitar]

Shocks come on the rear now?

[SilverAthlon]

Are you sure it's not from the seatpost?

Also, use a grease, not a liquid lube. I recommend park's poly lube, although any grease should do the trick.

how exactly do you "wash" your bike. If you use a pressurized hose stay away from your front/rear suspension (water can get forced into the seals) and minimize contact with drivetrain. if you want to clean the drivetrain, buy a degreaser (white lightning is excellent, if you're bio-friendly, park's bio chainbrite works good also) and clean it that way. Be sure to re-lube chain after cleaning.