Click sound from suspension
  • mossman77
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    Click sound from suspension

    by mossman77 » Fri Sep 30, 2016 3:13 pm

    I've been hearing a single click sound coming the rear shock or linkage and am trying to determine what the cause is. I was measuring my sag the other day and measured a difference of 10mm or so after pressing down on the seat and releasing, so I know something is sticking. Is it more likely that the linkage is the cause of the click and the stickiness or could it be the shock? I cleaned and lubed the linkage really well no more than 10 hours ago so I can't imagine it's that bad. Do the linkage needle bearings typically go bad? The bike is a 2007. FYI, when I clean the linkage, I completely disassemble it, including removing all the needles, and clean them with brake cleaner.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Fri Sep 30, 2016 8:30 pm

    Someone posted the same question in another forum and the cause was supposedly the upper part of the shock shifting against the frame mount. That's kind of what it sounds like. And I only hear it after letting the bike down off the stand.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
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    JimDirt
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    by JimDirt » Sat Oct 01, 2016 12:54 pm

    It is easy to check , just put the bike on a stand and grab the rear wheel and lift it up and down , if something is sloppy it will show up , there should be no play in anything when you lift , just follow where the slop is , by visually looking at each part of the suspension , from the upper/lower shock bushings , to the swingarm where it attaches to the frame , to the linkage, to wheel bearings , and you will find what is loose
    2020 CRF450R
    2006 CRF450X
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    Weiser , Idaho
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Sat Oct 01, 2016 12:56 pm

    I located the problem....the lower shock bearing. It was difficult to see any movement, but the sound changed pitch when I applied lateral pressure in the joint, so I knew that had to be it. I have the linkage off the bike and it is pretty obvious that there is too much slop. I ordered a Pivot Works rebuild kit, which should arrive in a couple days.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 7:37 am

    BTW, I couldn't manage to find any DIY videos, etc. on how to remove the bearings from the "dog bone" link. I tried using my blind bearing puller and the races wouldn't budge. What worked for me was taking just the blind bearing collet (whatever it's called), inserting inside the race, then using a socket and 2" extension to press the race out from the opposite side using my bench vise. I was able to contact just enough of the extension to press the race about 1/3 of the way out (because the collet has to clear the vice jaw). At that point I was able to use just my blind bearing puller (with rod and ram installed) and yank it out. Once one side was removed I was able to easily remove the second side using two sockets and a vise. Hopefully this helps someone.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
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    JimDirt
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    by JimDirt » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:03 am

    I have a 12 ton press (Harbor Freight *$99.00 if i remember*) and it works real well for steering head bearings and linkage bearings , i just use a tall metric impact socket and the retainers/guides that come with the press

    I usually change steering head bearings and linkage bearings every 2 years , as i figure it as part of regular periodic maintenance , the linkage bearings are the most vulnerable to getting dirt and water inside because they are so exposed and get slammed into dirt and water and mud constantly, and fail because of that ;)

    My head bearings fail after about 2 years because i tighten my steering stem nut quite a bit tighter to somewhat act as a dampener (it works) , so they have more than normal force constantly on them , so they fail sooner than normal , which is why i bought the press....
    2020 CRF450R
    2006 CRF450X
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    Weiser , Idaho
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:09 am

    I have a 12 ton press (Harbor Freight *$99.00 if i remember*) and it works real well for steering head bearings and linkage bearings , i just use a tall metric impact socket and the retainers/guides that come with the press


    The press came with an attachment to remove a blind bearing? How does that work? The race has to be pressed from the opposite side and the attachment would have to fit through the same size opening that it is trying to press out (the opposing race). Can you elaborate?.

    Just to be sure we're talking about the same part...

    Image
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:35 am

    How did you get an attachment small enough to fit through the smaller diameter lip of the race at end "A" that could also contact the outer lip of the race at end "B" in order to press it out?

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    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
  • Leardriver
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    by Leardriver » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:41 am

    I just did this during the summer. All of the bearings come right out with a socket and a vise, except the dog bone that you show.

    What finally worked was a small carbide burr on the inside to gouge up the old bearing surface enough to make a lip for a punch to grab hold of, and knock it out.
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 8:51 am

    This is how I did it: First side with blind bearing attachment and short pipe, then did the second side like a normal bearing using two sockets:

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    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
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    JimDirt
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    by JimDirt » Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:55 am

    mossman77 wrote:
    I have a 12 ton press (Harbor Freight *$99.00 if i remember*) and it works real well for steering head bearings and linkage bearings , i just use a tall metric impact socket and the retainers/guides that come with the press


    The press came with an attachment to remove a blind bearing? How does that work? The race has to be pressed from the opposite side and the attachment would have to fit through the same size opening that it is trying to press out (the opposing race). Can you elaborate?.

    Just to be sure we're talking about the same part...

    Image


    Sorry should have clarified more , what i do is use a punch to drive out the one side bearing alternating from side to side , as you can just barely catch the lip, then use the tall socket in the press to drive out the other side from the inside after moving it slightly from the lip with the punch , it works with minimal effort
    Last edited by JimDirt on Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
    2020 CRF450R
    2006 CRF450X
    Image
    Weiser , Idaho
  • mossman77
    Posts: 316
    Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:28 am

    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 9:57 am

    That was my initial plan, but I didn't feel comfortable whacking the crap out of it and potentially damaging something. The method I used worked quite well. However, you'll need a pretty large bench vise or a press with enough working space. I actually didn't use the metal pipe on side B--I was able to position the link in such a way that I could grab just enough of the socket extension one one end and the edge of the link on the other end to be able to press the first race out about 1/3 of the way. At that point, I was able to yank it out with my blind bearing tool.
    Last edited by mossman77 on Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
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    JimDirt
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    by JimDirt » Tue Oct 04, 2016 10:01 am

    i have a 8" bench vice that spins around (upside down/sideways ,etc) , i use a 1" steel plate at the press and the press comes with half pieces that go together with a half hole in the center edge of each (1" thick as well)
    2020 CRF450R
    2006 CRF450X
    Image
    Weiser , Idaho
  • mossman77
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    by mossman77 » Tue Oct 04, 2016 7:10 pm

    Was browsing McMaster-Carr and found something that I think would work perfectly. It's a 2-piece shaft coupling that would fit inside the race one piece at a time, assembled inside, then you would simply press the race out using two sockets.
    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)
  • mossman77
    Posts: 316
    Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2015 9:28 am

    by mossman77 » Wed Oct 05, 2016 8:55 am

    Evidently Motion Pro already came up with the idea (notice the blind bearing attachment in the photo). Except you'll have to pay $156 to get it. Not necessary if you already have a bearing puller kit and a large vise.

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    2007 CRF250X
    2004 CRF230F (sold)

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