Suspension noisey

[Santa-2512]

I forgot my earplugs this morning, and my Sena went flat as well lol

on the way home i was having a nice run making progress,

however i noted that the suspension clatters and bangs over the bumps in the road

Heard and felt! Clonking and skips over bumps

Now i'm guessing one of the units is past its best, question is how do i determine which one?

I trying compressing the front but the telelever is hard to move so i cant tell

The back end does move, so ive a suspicion that needs doing

Any ideas

 

[tuftywhite]

Ahem!!!!

Are you still on the originals?

I'd suspect the back as the front doesn't do as much work.

 

[NicD]

Would a suspension problem that caused a lot of noise also show up in ride quality or handling?

 

[Pukmeister]

Best way is a stripdown. Send both shocks off for refurb to MCT, Firefox Racing, Denzo etc. No point doing just one as it then highlights how worn out the other is.

Whilst in bits, check all suspension/swingarm/FD joints etc for wear and replace as necessary.

Should only take a few days to sort it. Its only nuts and bolts. Be prepared for new swingarm taper roller bearings and also FD knuckle trunnion pin and needle rollers.

 

[Benhur Malta]

I forgot my earplugs this morning, and my Sena went flat as well lol

on the way home i was having a nice run making progress,

however i noted that the suspension clatters and bangs over the bumps in the road

Heard and felt! Clonking and skips over bumps

Now i'm guessing one of the units is past its best, question is how do i determine which one?

I trying compressing the front but the telelever is hard to move so i cant tell

The back end does move, so ive a suspicion that needs doing

Any ideas

How much mileage do you have on your bike please?

Thanks

R.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Just had my rear suspension done by Firefox. £200 for a refurb. Very good service.
Removing/refitting the rear shock is a piece of piss.

 

[Pukmeister]

Removing/refitting the rear shock is a piece of piss.

Try saying the same about the front, especially on a GSA with ESA fitted.

 

[Santa-2512]

Ahem!!!!

Are you still on the originals?

I'd suspect the back as the front doesn't do as much work.

Yes originals,

I initially thought the back but going into work this morning, on a road i know i hit a bump and im deffo sure the front clonked first

 

[CNC-REPAIRS.Co.UK]

Could it be play in the front ball joint?

 

[NicD]

Would a suspension problem that caused a lot of noise also show up in ride quality or handling?

Maybe I can ask this another way - if either shock is making an audible noise, would you also expect serious handling symptoms? If so, is this likely another suspension component, or related component? Prior question re ball joint seems a sensible one to me

 

[Santa-2512]

Maybe I can ask this another way - if either shock is making an audible noise, would you also expect serious handling symptoms? If so, is this likely another suspension component, or related component? Prior question re ball joint seems a sensible one to me

Bike appear to handle fine (ish)

it skips a bit on the back end when rounning over cats eyes etc. that i'm pretty sure is down to the rear suspension

 

[Santa-2512]

Could it be play in the front ball joint?

?? how do i tell ??

 

[NicD]

Bike appear to handle fine (ish)

it skips a bit on the back end when rounning over cats eyes etc. that i'm pretty sure is down to the rear suspension

Over time the shock loses gas and the oil degrades, so the shock will perform worse. Depending on age and mileage it could be quite rough. Mine made any small bump feel like a square-edged speed hump after a while.

The question re noise is this - springs, as far as I am aware, don't fatigue in normal use, and this is unlikely broken. I assume the mountings are secure. So if the shock is making a racket it would likely be the internals - but these control the damping, so I would expect there to be a noticeable handling problem beyond normal symptoms of old-age shock. Bear in mind this is a lay person view, so take it with a pinch of salt.

That's why I would check other components too. That isn't to say shocks are fine - likely they aren't. But the fact shocks are old doesn't mean they are making audible noise - mine didn't when they were obviously in need of rebuild

 

[NicD]

?? how do i tell ??

That is a very good question!

Can you try having someone bounce front end and rear end separately while you put your head next to moving parts? You can also try to recreate the noise while moving by killing engine at 20mph and jumping on pegs / hitting front brakes to compress front end -although obvs without your head next to the different components!

Don't discount something unrelated that has coincided with suspension performance falling off a cliff. Again, these are just my thoughts, and they could easily be misguided. For what they are worth...

 

[tuftywhite]

Get yourself a pair of Wilburs and be done with it.

(As long as it is the shocks that are the problem)

 

[Pukmeister]

?? how do i tell ??

Put the bike on the centre stand. Jack up slightly under the sump guard until the front wheel just leaves the ground - careful not too much or the bike could fall over.

Grip the front forks down low by the front axle and pull towards you and push away. Feel any clunks or knocks ??? Could be the ball joint, tele lever joints/bearings, shock mounting or steering head bearings. Have a feel for where any play or noise is coming from.

Turn the steering from side to side and feel for any play, roughness, looseness or knocks.

 

[Slipperyeel]

?? how do i tell ??

Based on other posts I've read on this, you should just put the bike onto the centre stand, go to the front of the bike, the jar the fork legs back and forth... you might be able to detect some play and depending on any wear it'll either be really obvious or err.... not.

Perhaps have a good look at the gaiter/boot at the same time...

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[Santa-2512]

Put the bike on the centre stand. Jack up slightly under the sump guard until the front wheel just leaves the ground - careful not too much or the bike could fall over.

Grip the front forks down low by the front axle and pull towards you and push away. Feel any clunks or knocks ??? Could be the ball joint, tele lever joints/bearings, shock mounting or steering head bearings. Have a feel for where any play or noise is coming from.

Turn the steering from side to side and feel for any play, roughness, looseness or knocks.

I'll give that a try over the WE

 

[Santa-2512]

Get yourself a pair of Wilburs and be done with it.

(As long as it is the shocks that are the problem)

What?? no "You should have bought my one"

If i can i'll have a look over the WE

 

[tuftywhite]

What?? no "You should have bought my one"

If i can i'll have a look over the WE

Well, you should have, it had Wilburs on it.