Suspension clonk

[Cadbury64]

Tonight I spent a couple of hours installing a 2nd hand Ohlins. The internal condition is unknown but the shaft looks good and no oil leaks. I regreased the bottom bearing before installing. Now when I bounce on the bike as the rebound starts there is a clonk sound. I've checked all the bolts are tight, and I have previously greased all the linkages. There's no clearance issues, and I have lifted the wheel off the deck so I can check for play in the bearings and there is none detectable.

Any suggestions? I can't quite isolate where it comes from but around the lower middle of the bike is approximate.

Hopefully it's not the clevis bearing!


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[Wicky]

Might be an idea to send the shock for a specialist service as there are internal bushes that can wear and need replacing. Just had mine done (inc bushes) the company dismantles it and replaces worn components inc bushes, reservoir hose, and repressurising (I also took the spring away for powder coating) - total bill under £200

Look for someone like this local to you > http://ftrsuspension.co.uk

[kenmoore]

This may be a silly question!

The rear lower shock linkage isn't hitting the exhaust when you sit on it?

I have a 6 mm shim and can just fit a piece of thin cardboard between the shock link and exhaust pipe.

Just a thought!

[Watty]

Can be false economy fitting used shocks unfortunately, unless you know its history! By the time you've bought it and had a weight related spring fitted and get it serviced you're up to the price of a new one!

[popkat]

My Penske had an Ohlins spring and that made a clock, There were other issues with the shock too so I sent it off for rebuild and they said there was a problem with one of the coils on the spring which was causing the clonk.

[VTRDark]

Did you put the lower linkage (triangularish part) on the right way around. There is an arrow head marked on the side. If not that and the noise was not there before then I would be looking at the shock.

(:-})

[Watty]

My Penske had an Ohlins spring and that made a clock, There were other issues with the shock too so I sent it off for rebuild and they said there was a problem with one of the coils on the spring which was causing the clonk.

Wondered how things went with that Malc!

[popkat]

My Penske had an Ohlins spring and that made a clock, There were other issues with the shock too so I sent it off for rebuild and they said there was a problem with one of the coils on the spring which was causing the clonk.

Wondered how things went with that Malc!

The anodising inside the shock body has worn so it doesn't seal properly but then it does seal in the stroke, this explains why it felt very soft pushing the back end up and down yet when on the road it felt like a hard tail. I can get all the parts, shock body, seal kit and a new bump stop, then I'd have to send it off for rebuild, too much money for me at the moment so I'll just bore people moaning about the standard shock I might get the parts at some point then when I've got some more dosh get it rebuilt. I already have a new hyperco/Penske spring which will be going on as K-tech said the Ohlins is no good, but was impossible to tell by looking at it..

[Watty]

My Penske had an Ohlins spring and that made a clock, There were other issues with the shock too so I sent it off for rebuild and they said there was a problem with one of the coils on the spring which was causing the clonk.

Wondered how things went with that Malc!

The anodising inside the shock body has worn so it doesn't seal properly but then it does seal in the stroke, this explains why it felt very soft pushing the back end up and down yet when on the road it felt like a hard tail. I can get all the parts, shock body, seal kit and a new bump stop, then I'd have to send it off for rebuild, too much money for me at the moment so I'll just bore people moaning about the standard shock I might get the parts at some point then when I've got some more dosh get it rebuilt. I already have a new hyperco/Penske spring which will be going on as K-tech said the Ohlins is no good, but was impossible to tell by looking at it..

At least you know now mate!

[lloydie]

Yep sounds like it needs serviced to me ,

[Cadbury64]

Thanks for the replies, I did know that there might be issues with a used shock but for the price (about GBP220) I took a gamble.

I will ride the bike carefully and see how it feels, my static testing shows no untoward play and the damping feels good.

There is no contact with any hard parts and I'm pretty sure the triangle is correct but I will visually recheck.

The Ohlins spring rate is very nearly the same as stock so I am comfortable with that.


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[8541Hawk]

Just be careful on how long you put off getting it serviced......

[Cadbury64]

Yikes...is that one snapped off at the bottom mount Hawk?

As I said above I can hear a clonk but can't feel any freeplay. But I will take a closer look. I was planning on removing the spring and giving the body a bit of TLC and that will let me check the bottom mount for any looseness. Just bought a genuine Ohlins spring spanner as I tried to shift the preload ring with my Honda tool and it would not stay engaged.



A loose bottom mount would account for the noise I hear but can't feel if the spring is keeping it normally under tension until I bounce the shock. Certainly by grabbing back of the swingarm with the wheel off the deck I can't feel any movement.

[8541Hawk]

Yes it is broken off at the lower mount.
The lower bearing seized and then the fun began......

Good excuse for an upgrade though as I had then fit a ride height adjuster while it was in for repair.

[popkat]

As I said above if you can't find any play then it's probably the spring as mine was.

Also the only Ohlins I've ever seen for a firestorm has hydraulic preload, yours doesn't, could well be a shock originally intended for another bike that's been modified to fit, it's not uncommon, think Wicky's one was originally from a GSXR iirc