Weird rear suspension sound?

[kanigit]

Recently got me a 2012 Anthem X ...........very naaaaaaarce..........except when I do a downhill forest route nearby, everytime the suspension unloads there's a 'cracking' sound, which i can't place. It's definitely coming from the rear of the bike (below seat) and only seems to happen when going over tree roots..........don't get it when downhilling jeep track or rocky/bumpy stuff. 

 

Anybody got some insight to this? Could the pivots need lubing/servicing.......but then why isn't the noise consistent?

Is this something peculiar to the year/model? (when I collected the bike, another customer said he had the same bike and commented about a funny noise from the rear suspension  )

 

It's my first DS and I havn't ridden with other DS riders yet so I have no point or reference to compare....... just don't want to be damaging the bike .........obviously !! 

[Mojoman]

New or second hand? I bought a 'new' DS bike a few years back and the bearings were already rusting away!

 

If you have a shock pump and a stand you can deflate the shock, remove rear wheel, remove top mounting bolt on the shock and cycle the suspension through its range of motion to feel for grinding and funny noises. If you are a confident DIY'er you can also remove each suspension bolt (one by one) and using your finger in the bearing where the bolt would normally pass through feel for roughness as well.

 

Have you already removed, cleaned and lightly greased seat post and also seat rails (they can get cruddy and make some noises as well).

 

[kanigit]

2nd hand...........seller said the bike had a major service April this year.

Have not done any of your suggested checks - really doubt it's the seat/post, as I have a XTC which made that noise. Maybe worth me double checking though............

 

Am a confident DIY'er (mainly from dirt biking) but don't have any MTB tools yet .

This might be a LBS job.......​

[David Marshall]

2nd hand...........seller said the bike had a major service April this year.

 

April was a while back and also you would be surprised at the number of "serviced" bikes that come in needing extensive work.  Not blaming the bike shops, as they are usually only doing what the customer asked for, but a "major" service means different things to different people.  I have yet to come across one that includes a fork, shock or suspension  bearing service.  If you are buying second hand and are not comfortable with your own mechanical knowledge pay a mechanic to open the fork, shock and check the bearings.  Money well spent and it gives you a bargaining lever.

[bullet77]

This cracked pivot bearing caused a terrible creaking/cracking noise on my Anthem.

[Erroli8a8]

I am in the process of replacing the bearings, there was a creeking sound which I thought was from the BB but it seems to be from the bearings. I removed all the bearings and found one that seemed to be rubbing and even grinding. Now I have to wait till Monday to get new bearings.

[kanigit]

Ok..... as usual, really great input ........thanks peeps

 

I will look into this asap. I see those bearings are sealed units........

 

So next Q.: can anybody point me to a blow by blow on how to disassemble the RS ?

(and do I need to depressurise the shock first?)

[kanigit]

I am in the process of replacing the bearings, there was a creeking sound which I thought was from the BB but it seems to be from the bearings. I removed all the bearings and found one that seemed to be rubbing and even grinding. Now I have to wait till Monday to get new bearings.

 

Bummer Errol............ I feel the pain. Looks like I will be in the same boat

[kanigit]

445.jpgThis cracked pivot bearing caused a terrible creaking/cracking noise on my Anthem.

 

Did you have to replace with OEM ? Or can one buy generic at...say......Bearing Man?

[bullet77]

Did you have to replace with OEM ? Or can one buy generic at...say......Bearing Man?

I'll only find out tomorrow. I did read a thread somewhere which suggested replacing with enduro bearings.

[kanigit]

I'll only find out tomorrow. I did read a thread somewhere which suggested replacing with enduro bearings.

 

    plz keep us updated - TIA

[JXV]

Yes you should depressure the rear shock before dismantling.

You can replace with commercial bearings but the Enduro bearings are 'full complement' meaning they have more ball bearings inside and smaller spaces between balls. This gives better impact resistance for bearings that face repeated loading cycles under only partial rotation as in mtb rear susp.

[AlanD]

In the last two rides i have developed a squeaking sound that i was sure it was the brake pads rubbing on the rotor so adjusted the caliper before todays ride and the noise was gone...but....came back after a few minutes.

 

At the end of my ride it got louder and was for sure coming from somewhere in the rear suspension.

 

Got home, washed bike and started to search with vigar for this annoying sound. Check every bolt/pivots by the eear suspension amd found the culprit: a loose bolt by one of the pivots. Attached a photo and circled the culprit.

 

So i tightened it and seems like no more squeek but will known for sure on the next ride.

[MphatiPyga]

Might be a silly answer but have you checked the pressure in the rear shock, that noise could be it bottoming out when hitting the roots. Good luck with the search, nothing worse than that phantom creak or noise!

[kanigit]

Might be a silly answer but have you checked the pressure in the rear shock, that noise could be it bottoming out when hitting the roots. Good luck with the search, nothing worse than that phantom creak or noise!

 

I doubt this as the shock feels very hard fro my weight...........don't think I have the right setup.

Went out again yesterday and was able to duplicate the sound just by bouncing on the bike when I first got on...........I'm going with buggered pivot bearings until I know better.

 

Will update as this progresses..............

[Mojoman]

I doubt this as the shock feels very hard fro my weight...........don't think I have the right setup.

Went out again yesterday and was able to duplicate the sound just by bouncing on the bike when I first got on...........I'm going with buggered pivot bearings until I know better.

 

Will update as this progresses..............

There is a bit of a test as well to see if its not the shock bushings wearing out, you hold the bike by the bars (finger on front brake) and hold the saddle.  lightly pick the bike up by the saddle and you should feel the knock/looseness. I picked this up on my last DS and it was a R300 odd bushing I had to get. If its a Fox like mine was I had to get a new 5 piece part I think it was. Dave Marshall above provided this for me, LBS didn't have any...