Suspension linkage issue.

Last year my brothers bike started intermittently making a creaking noise from the rear suspension linkage as if there was a bit of grit trapped somewhere. Today I decided to strip it down and have a look. Two issues came to light, firstly link arm rubbing against the plate.

Anybody else had this problem? Thinking of maybe making some Teflon shims, thoughts?
Also collapsed shock lower bearing which needs replaced.

 

I had this problem on my 2012. Bought new bearings from Honda dealer and fitted them. The rubbing of the linkage didn't concern me as I thought it was something to do with the bearing collapsing.

 

Thanks, it had crossed my mind that it could be the bearing causing the linkage to miss align, just wondering if there was anything more sinister to look out for. I’ll stick a new bearing in and see how it goes.

 

Ok so it’s been done before, the advantages I can see would be the linkage staying better aligned as the link arm has a lateral play of around 3mm. Also it would help keep out dirt etc, just not sure how long they would last. Maybe give it a go, I can make a set for £2.30

 

OOh. I remember that. It was a biggie!!

 

I did mine after seeing the wear, I made 6 of my own but for £2.30 snap his hand off

 

Just noticed you are making them for yourself. most make 4 but you need 6, they are not all the same size

 

Yeah I was planning on making 6. It was more as an experiment, but as it’s been done before it’s probably going to be beneficial. Are yours holding up so far?

 

Mine are good, I made mine from moly 66 as I had some in the workshop, are you an Engineer. I did post the sizes on another post, I could find if you want,
from memory 5 are the same it is just the one next to the engine that is larger.

 

Not an engineer, although I was a motor mechanic in a past life. I’ve got a bit of PTFE sheet about the right thickness that I’m going to use, worst case scenario it’ll disintegrate and fall out. Don’t worry about the sizes, it’ll take a minute to measure up. Thanks for the heads up regarding different sizes, I’ll look into that.

 

All back together with new shock lower bearing and seals. Leave the shims for now, see if it aligns better with the new bearing.

 

Hi, I'd love to know how you got on with this?

 

Didn’t bother with shims, the new bearing was all it required.

 

The reason for fitting the shims is that there is nothing to stop the linkages from going off center and rubbing against the side plates, How much difference this makes in the real world is debatable, but I sleep better on a night with mine fitted, but could be the Steller