Clicking Shock on a Stumpy

thedktor

Having returned a Stumpy FSR Comp due to the Fox shock rattling over bumps, my new Elite model is now doing the same....

I checked the shock pivots, regreased and tightened up fully but no improvement- the noise appears to be coming from inside the shock, and the frame is essentially amplifying the noise.

Compress the rear and as it rebounds a clear click is heard - going over small bumps and the noise is a continuous rattle.

So, its going back to the shop but I am concerned that the noise will just come back again if the shock is replaced, has anyone had similar problems with Fox Triad shocks?


TD

garsr6

i had the same problem with my stumpy, sounded like the shock but was actually grit in the seat tube. try cleaning seat post and seat post tube see if that works.

thedktor

Not the seat post as I can get the click with it taken out.

Took it into the shop and they acknowledged there was a problem, but said it will need to be sent back if its the shock,. hmm...

TD

timberjack

i am having the same problem with my comp i am also getting a cracking while pedaling but i cant work out if the two are linked. I have just renewed the bottom bracket so its not that and i've tried different pedals too and its still cracking please help i am beginning to think i have ocd

gbrnole

I know the problem exactly, took me a while to sort out but finally got there. You'll have to excuse my lack of technical terms below.

At the bottom end of the shock, where it clamps into place this is where the creak/click comes from.

You will need to remove the fixings that hold the bottom eye of the shock in place, regrease it all and replace.

On my stumpy 07 comp, there was another thru bolt in this rear shock linkage next to the one that the bottom of the shock connects to. You will also need to remove and regrease this also.

For a start, to check that is the problem just slacken off the bolts on these areas and push then compress the bike, you should hear the noise has gone.

thedktor

Ah interesting.

I have already regreased the lower shock mount but have not investigated the other two pivots.

The bike is in the shop currently so we'll see what they find first and take it from there.

TD

gbrnole

I guarantee thats ya problem.

thedktor

Hmm, my LBS has had the bike all week and not even looked at it due to a major cycling event here in sunny Basingstoke.

Fortunately I don't really need it this weekend, but would have been nice to have it back.

Ah well, hope the Halfords GT proves less troublesome!

TD

timberjack

i took my bike in to edinburgh cycle in newcastle for the above problem they more or less laughed at the shock diagnosis i got from you chaps, they told me it was loose rear cones was the problem and sent me on my way feeling slightly embarassed, so i took it to my mates bike shop and they tightened the cones and the problem was still there but i have decided to try and put up with the noise rather than take it back i wish it was a year old then i never have to go back to the above shop

Anonymous

my stumpy did the same and after tonnes of searching the sound came down to the main bearing. i had to loosen it off, clean it out and put back together, sorted it right out.
the sound originally seemed to come from the shock area but wasnt in the end

timberjack

what do you mean by the main bearing i have greased all the ones in the link

Anonymous

the link at the bottom, just behind the bottom bracket, i missed it when checking out all of the other links

thedktor

OK, so something else to check depending on what the LBS come up with (still waiting for their call !)

Not sure whether I should give them some hints or just leave 'em to it ? !

TD

thedktor

Picked the bike up week or so ago, the shop was quite noisy so gave them the benefit of the doubt and didn't check it.

Anyway, long story short - the noise is still there, unchanged, and I haven't even ridden it!

So back to the shop today, the owner said he would take the shock back to Specialized later this week, so at least there is a plan.

Bl**dy frustrating tho - I would demand my money back but the bike is too good in all other respects!

The noise is definitely coming from the shock, so at least a replacement would prove something, but if it is I expect the new one will just make the noise after a few rides, hmm....

TD

nicklouse

Mmm you dont have much luck with clunky rear ends.

is it the shock? could it be the mech?

and re the I drivesame thing?

thedktor

nicklouse wrote:

Mmm you dont have much luck with clunky rear ends.

Yes, I know !!

The Stumpy noise is definitely coming from the shock area as I can reproduce it in the garage, its quite a "small" clicky noise anyway.

I'll post something else on the other thread ref the GT.

TD

nicklouse

again make sure it is nothing stupid like a gear cable rubbing.

skyliner

The last one I saw with that noise, had a crack in the upper shockmount. Right in under the toptube.

thedktor

skyliner wrote:

The last one I saw with that noise, had a crack in the upper shockmount. Right in under the toptube.

Interesting. I actually returned a Stumpjumper Comp with exactly the same problem and upgraded to my current Elite model.

Same noise, same shock, same limited use before the noise appeared. I would be surprised if it was the mount but you never know eh!

Bike is in the LBS now, we will see

TD

timberjack

i took sheepteeth's advice and checked the bottom bearings on the rear suspension{ behind bb } one was seized solid i cleaned it freed it and regreased it put it all back together and thought that has to cure it but no it is still clicking so everything is pointing to a shock problem so i will put up with it until i get the shock serviced

skyliner

You shouldn't have to put up with it. After all, you paid good money for the bike, and it should work flawlesly inside it's warranty period with the correct care and maintenance.

*Pez*

Doctor,

Collected my '07 stumpy elite last week.

On my second ride at the weekend, I noticed a clicking noise when pedaling uphill.
Thought it must he the bottom bracket, but didn't get the click with shock locked-out.

Took the bike home and can clearly hear a click from the shock at the start of the stroke.

Bike's going back to the shop tomorrow.

How did you get on with sending the 'can' back to specialized??
I phoned the spesh centre in Saltash earlier to see if they have had any similar complaints.
They have never heard of a problem with a Triad shock - should be ultra reliable. Also, a 'click' is not a sound associated with a shock as it is 'air' and a smooth movement. They thought it sounded more like a bearing fault.

I'd love to know how you get on.

Cheers,
Pez.

thedktor

Got the bike back from the LBS. Noise is gone - a new shock is fitted - which at least proves where the fault was!

I am concerned that the new shock will develop the same noise.... but will deal with that if/when it happens.

Pez- yes you would not expect a click from an air-shock but bear in mind there is damping inside which has to work under a high mechanical and oil-pressure load, so I would guess that is the cause. The LBS took the shock only back to Specialized and demanded a new one (apparently).

Good luck with your problem.

TD

thedktor

Bad News - noise is still there on further testing last night.......

So, I am going to demand a refund as I can't live with the constant clicking off-road.

Unreasonable ??

For reference my 10 year old Marin Rift Zone did not exhibit any noises from the rear sus, nor does the GT i-drive from Halfords, apart from big bumps as per the other thread.

TD

thedktor

Aarrgh this gets worse.

Got the bike out the car to take to the shop, and no noise! Take it for a spin and still no noise. Hmm, no point taking it back then.

Talked to the LBS, explained the noise was back (or was at least last night). After a long discussion I was assured that if the noise returns again with a vengeance the bike would be taken back, used or not (bearing in mind its currently immaculate).

Also was told that the shims inside the shock need time to bed in, (as per Specialized's warranty dept's feedback to the LBS). Not totally convinced on this as both this bike and the previous Comp started quiet and then got noisy, and were used enough to get everything bedded in.

So, will give it the benefit of the doubt (again) with the new shock, only cos the bike is so good in all other respects and I wouldn't know what to change it for anyway!

TD

*Pez*

My click also seems to have remedied itself.

It was clearly audible from compressing the shock, but seems to have stopped after being ridden this week.

LBS hasve told me not to worry and bike is under warranty, so i guess I'll just keep tabs on it.

Mate - sounds like you're having a nightmare.
My bike had a fairly hard thrashig this week - may hold true to the bedding in theory....

Hope you get something sorted.
Cheers,

Pez.

timberjack

mine is still clicking so i am going to swap it with a mates old shock to make sure it is coming from my shock. If it is the shock i am going to send it back to mojo as i phoned them and they told me to send it back and they would repair it under warranty, there is no way i would take it back to where i bought it from as they would just try to palm me off again

bowestev

glad too hear that i'm not alone in the creecky spech. department. i've had my lbs replace the bottom bracket, all the bearings and rebuilt the rear shock hanger.i have also replaced the seat twice and used loads of lube and it still cracks and grunts like an old lady. love the bike but find myself becoming increasenly more angry with it. anyway i've now got a few weeks free time with a broken hand thanks to llandgela in which i can hopefully sort it out .

timberjack

I think i have found where the click is coming from, i put my mates old shock on and the noise disappeared so i thought it was the shock. I had to take the top hat bushes out of his shock to get my pin through, as the shock on my stumpy has none of these bushes which gave me an idea, i put my pin through his shock and there was minimal play but when i put the pin through my shock there is definately movement, enough to make a noise. I told my mate about this [he owns a bike shop] and he could'nt believe the shock had no bushes in, so here lies the problem the pin has no wear on it so the eye in the shock must be slightly worn and the only way i can think of to stop this is to grease the pin on a regular basis

bowestev

i 've just had the air can back from mojo and it still cracks, but only going up hill . the only thing i 've not replaced is the headset., not bad for a bike i brought in dec last year. And all at my own expence

thedktor

Hmm, bit of a can o' worms opening up here!

bowestev - presume you have checked the obvious like swap the pedals?

As for mine, well rode it for a couple of hours the other day and no noise! I could get a clicking sound in the garage but in the open it didnt show.

Got some holiday now so will be putting some more hours in, we will see how it goes.

TD