Loose suspension bolt - or is it there something wrong?

[horudis82]

Hi people!

Today I was doing some maintenance on the bike when I saw that the nut holding the shock absorber was about to fall off:

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/hRchvy/Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_27_30.png" alt="Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_27_30" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/fsuUay/Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_24_51.jpg" alt="Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_24_51" border="0"></a>

<a href="https://imgbb.com/"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/eu7t2d/Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_25_17.jpg" alt="Screen_Shot_2018_05_30_at_17_25_17" border="0"></a>


Shouldn't this screw be at least one inch longer??

It was almost getting loose and as you can see, the nut is holding with half its threads.

I tried tightening it (missing a 15 wrench so will do it better tomorrow) but I fear there is not enough length to do it properly. It feels like this is the wrong screw, am I imagining things? I do not want to overtighten it or round it.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Pukmeister]

It looks like the bolt has been fitted the wrong way around. The bolt head sits in a recess.

Remove and reverse it then refit the nut.

Try a drop of threadlock if you like.

 

[Neil W]

Looks like a BMW fastener with the star head BUT it looks as if it is not the correct one ie it is too short for the application and the thread of the bolt should extend to at least the end of the nut

 

[pitrat101]

should look like this

 

[horudis82]

Thank you very much guys for the quick replies, the explanations, and the pictures!!!!

This is crazy it took me 30,000 km to realize that - completely my fault... I will check if this caused any damages to the frame tomorrow.

Cheers!!

 

[UturnTony]

If you are capable of installing a suspension bolt the wrong way round and then when you discover the result
you need to ask on here what's wrong, i would have a re-think on the DIYing thing if i was you.
Just saying like

 

[horudis82]

If you are capable of installing a suspension bolt the wrong way round and then when you discover the result
you need to ask on here what's wrong, i would have a re-think on the DIYing thing if i was you.
Just saying like

Lol I'm not the one who did the DIY job - I only bought the bike...!

 

[Santa-2512]

HAs it got spokes on the wheels?

If so i'd be checking your rear caliper as well

 

[UturnTony]

Lol I'm not the one who did the DIY job - I only bought the bike...!

Fairy snuff. In that case i would go over the bike with a fine tooth comb

 

[horudis82]

HAs it got spokes on the wheels?

If so i'd be checking your rear caliper as well

Nope no spokes, just alloys - but most of the bolts and fastener heads are damaged; I'm about to get new ones on Motorworks to change them all.

Out of curiosity: what would I find there if it had spokes??

 

[horudis82]

Fairy snuff. In that case i would go over the bike with a fine tooth comb

Yep... I have been replacing and changing things here and there over time, now I think I've got the basics covered (had the ABS red triangle of death, failing driveshaft, and now suspension!!!!!!)

 

[horudis82]

Yep... I have been replacing and changing things here and there over time, now I think I've got the basics covered (had the ABS red triangle of death, failing driveshaft, and now suspension!!!!!!)

Next GS I will know what to look for!!

 

[horudis82]

All sorted!

<a href="https://ibb.co/n5Mdnd"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/moB00y/IMG_9936.jpg" alt="IMG_9936" border="0"></a>

 

[UturnTony]

All sorted!

<a href="https://ibb.co/n5Mdnd"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/moB00y/IMG_9936.jpg" alt="IMG_9936" border="0"></a>

Much better

 

[Santa-2512]

Nope no spokes, just alloys - but most of the bolts and fastener heads are damaged; I'm about to get new ones on Motorworks to change them all.

Out of curiosity: what would I find there if it had spokes??

it was a jokey ref to the thread about rear wheel collapse - potential for loose/missing bolts

as you dont have spoked wheels it dosent apply

 

[horudis82]

it was a jokey ref to the thread about rear wheel collapse - potential for loose/missing bolts

as you dont have spoked wheels it dosent apply

Alright!

Well, next one will be a GSA, so good to know!!

 

[Bendy toy]

it was a jokey ref to the thread about rear wheel collapse - potential for loose/missing bolts

as you dont have spoked wheels it dosent apply

Spokes are the least of your worries

 

[horudis82]

Spokes are the least of your worries

Wow....

What caused that??????

 

[Andi_archer]

Loctite?

 

[Bendy toy]

Wow....

What caused that??????

AN over-hard road spring and a very rough road will do it. But if you compare the weight of a bare rear swing arm with a front arm, the rear is much lighter weight yet handles a lot more stress.