Rear suspension relay arm play & a r.susp. torque question

xcsp · Aug 5, 2007

Since I had the wheels off to have some new Pirelli Stradas mounted (zero weight needed to balance both!!) figured I should check & service driveline & the rear suspension pivot points.

Noticed there was some play in the front mount of the relay arm to the swingarm, is this common or do I need to look at replacing the bearings & bushings for this? The rest look fine-no corrosion, no looseness and sufficient grease. Bike has 16K on it.

As it was getting late and I was going riding in the a.m. and certain the two nearby shops wouldn't have the parts anyway, I re-assembled the bike.

My second question is when tightening/torqueing the bolts/nuts on the rear suspension is it correct to have the suspension hanging free or to have the weight of the cycle on the suspension as it would be sitting on the ground. I'm assuming the latter but did not see ANY info stating this in the manual or any write-ups I had seen.

Anyone care to comment?

xcsp · Aug 8, 2007

charismaticmegafauna · Aug 8, 2007

Ideally, there is little to no (zero) play in all the suspension bearings. Just a small amount of play in the bearings gets amplified to an easily noticed amount way back by the back axle. In the 80's this was a real problem in all off-road bike rear suspensions (still is -- only greasing and seals are better and most now know it really needs good maintenance). Road bikes aren't as critical -- but, aren't immune to bad/dry/worn suspension bearings.

The caged needle roller bearings and hardened pins have a very small clearance fit -- there's probably a spec. in the work-shop manual? They do need to be clean and lubricated, tho, for proper operation and longevity. Any wear/pitting/galling, etc. is un-acceptable and parts need to be replaced.

tyronewildman · Aug 9, 2007

xcsp said:
My second question is when tightening/torqueing the bolts/nuts on the rear suspension is it correct to have the suspension hanging free or to have the weight of the cycle on the suspension as it would be sitting on the ground. I'm assuming the latter but did not see ANY info stating this in the manual or any write-ups I had seen.
Anyone care to comment?

Having had all this stuff out a while back, I don't believe that it matters, under load or not. I guess you could hang it by, or prop up the swing arm, to give you some working room & to have it under load but I don't see that is necessary. Each set of suspension bearings is really clamped to the inner sleeve (race) of the needle bearing, by the nuts & bolts & there is a small amount of end play because the inner sleeve (race) is slightly longer that what it's mounted in. Some folks have installed greese fittings etc. but mine was O K (even before I greased it) I'll probably never have it out again.

Later,

Geezer · Aug 9, 2007

I had my rear suspension out and lubed all the pivot points last year. I noted some play in the front pivot and ordered new seals and bearings. I have not installed them and haven't noticed them getting worse. Several other people have posted finding some play at that same point so it may be normal.