Frame crack. Pics inside

Paulkingk

Hi guys I bought a Trek Fuel EX 2009 about 2 years ago. Upon replacing all the bearings in the rear swingarm today I noticed this!






Although the crack looks bad there is no play and everything works fine could have been like that from day 1, but I don't know and would rather get it welded for piece of mind.
Has anyone came across this problem before on Trek Fuel EX frames?
Probably worth noting I Live in Suffolk and although I ride fairly hard, I don't ride anything that big so was a little shocked to see this today.

Any help would be much appreciated

steelie600

An engineering firm would be able to fix that I should Imagine. You could probably get away with just grinding the weld away and re do it and then re paint the frame.

BUT If it was me id get the frame to a specialist and done properly as the frame might be out of true and need straightening.

ricardo_smooth

or i possible get back in touch with the original owner for a receipt or place of purchase to see if they can help process a warranty claim as the original owner.....worth a shot

nicklouse

Yep. That is dead.

supersonic

Or see if you can source the part of the linkage/rear triangle you need.

RevellRider

Supersonic, that looks like a front triangle to me. It looks like the seat tube rocker pivot.

I've seen it happen before, only once and it was on a 2009 Trek Fuel EX. As for a replacement, Trek might offer a crash replacement frame but I'm sure they only do this for original owner. Plus, they didn't have any 2009 framesets left and upgraded the customer to a 2010 Fuel EX frame, though this would require a new shock too. Alternatively, see if you can find a more upto date frame to replace it with

Anonymous

Gutted for ya,
I've got a trek ex 9 ive had no drama,s how hard has this been ridden ?

Paulkingk

It's been ridden fairly hard, no massive drops or jumps, small stuff which would easily come under the all mountain tag. I live in Suffolk!

It is the front Triangle Seat tube behind the Evo link. Hence the reason I didn't notice it.
Contacted original owner gonna contact the shop tomorrow. You never know.
Failing that found a place that Specialise in Shot blasting, Powder coating and Repairs So may go down this root.

Wish I could afford to replace the frame but just no financially possible at the moment. I'm Gutted
Rode it home after Servicing/re-placing all the bearings and it felt fine.
But I am concerned and it obviously isn't

YeehaaMcgee

If you can't get hold of any documents from the original owner, then I'd just be cheeky and just take it in to a dealer, and not mention it's second hand.
When I used to take my Marin in to get swingarm bearings sorted on their lifetime guarantee deal, I wasn't even asked if I was the owner.
And if they do ask, just say yes, but you don't have any receipt etc for it since you're not anally retentive enough to keep such things.

Paulkingk

Waiting to hear back from original place of purchase. Failling that may just try and stroll into my local Trek dealer. Nothing to lose

YeehaaMcgee

Exactly. I can't see anything morally wrong with expecting a frame manufaturer to honour their frame guarantee, whoever's riding the bike at the time.