How do you service the rear end?

[harrysmalls]

Pivots, linkage, shock mounts, etc. What do you do and how often?

 

[aviserated]

Because of conditions, Winter time is a good time to service those areas using bearing grease.

 

[Zimmerframe]

ALWAYS lube the rear.

 

[Doomanic]

@BAMBAMODA give @Zimmerframe his account back!

 

[Tim1023]

ALWAYS lube the rear.

I was trying very hard not to go there. Your diplomacy dyke broke before mine.

 

[Doomanic]

I was trying very hard not to go there.

Bambam, on the other hand...

 

[Mcharza]

How to service my rear end? Keeping it clean

 

[Tim1023]

I fear Harry is not getting the most mature introduction to this forum. I also think he'll word his next question very carefully.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

I've been tempted to use an oil dropper of very thin oil from a 3M precision oil pen, but im not sure if thats a good thing or nay.
I have heard of an oil by Tri-Flow would be good, but ive no experience myself and the whole regrease thing seems a lot of work.

 

[The Hodge]

Mines raggy as hell ..don't think it's been touched in a year ..other than a quick squirt with Juice Lubes ..but still moving just fine ..

 

[RickBullotta]

You ask her first.

 

[Clubby]

Pivots, linkage, shock mounts, etc. What do you do and how often?

For shock mounts, keep them clean but keep grease and oils away as they just attract dirt.
The bushing material is self lubricating and doesn’t need anything. Replace when you can start to feel knocking or play. Leave it too long and you’ll wreck the mounts as well.

Pivot and linkage bearings are usually a case of clean and light grease but not much else. Depending on frame there may be some adjustment, so again keep an eye on play.
Opinion varies about opening cartridge bearing seals for regreasing. Can be easy to wreck the seal but IME the bearings aren’t particularly well packed with grease. This is good on hi speed bearings but pivot bearings don’t move through their full range so the grease is never very well distributed. If you are careful removing outer seal it’s easy to pack a bit of extra waterproof grease in.

How often all depends on design. Santa Cruz VPP designs can eat rear shocks bush but front is usually fine. Also depends on the conditions you ride in. Can get very muddy here but thick mud, not watery gritty mud which is usually much worse. I’m a believer in less is more in regard to messing around with pivots. Too easy to overtightened them afterwards which is bad for wear.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

I didn't think you were an EMTBer Clubby. Is it too quiet on RB

 

[Clubby]

I didn't think you were an EMTBer Clubby. Is it too quiet on RB

Definitely too quiet there these days and without wanting to lower the tone, I’ll ride anything if it looks fun.

 

[RustyIron]

Your diplomacy dyke broke

Bwahaha! He said "dyke."

 

[Tim1023]

Bwahaha! He said "dyke."

Hmmm, learnt something. It's dyke in English and dike in American. By the way the term diplomacy dyke came from here. 10 minutes of your life well spent. In my humble opinion.

 

[Gary]

The fact you're asking in such a vague manner and haven't even bothered to mention the bike model you're asking about. I'd advise you to book the bike into a decent local bike shop for a basic service/assessment. And go with their mechanics advice/recommendations on what work is needed (or not)

 

[harrysmalls]

I've been tempted to use an oil dropper of very thin oil from a 3M precision oil pen, but im not sure if thats a good thing or nay.
I have heard of an oil by Tri-Flow would be good, but ive no experience myself and the whole regrease thing seems a lot of work.

I figured applying oil externally would be an issue for dust build up.

Mines raggy as hell ..don't think it's been touched in a year ..other than a quick squirt with Juice Lubes ..but still moving just fine ..

What kind of environment do you ride in?

For shock mounts, keep them clean but keep grease and oils away as they just attract dirt.
The bushing material is self lubricating and doesn’t need anything. Replace when you can start to feel knocking or play. Leave it too long and you’ll wreck the mounts as well.

Pivot and linkage bearings are usually a case of clean and light grease but not much else. Depending on frame there may be some adjustment, so again keep an eye on play.
Opinion varies about opening cartridge bearing seals for regreasing. Can be easy to wreck the seal but IME the bearings aren’t particularly well packed with grease. This is good on hi speed bearings but pivot bearings don’t move through their full range so the grease is never very well distributed. If you are careful removing outer seal it’s easy to pack a bit of extra waterproof grease in.

How often all depends on design. Santa Cruz VPP designs can eat rear shocks bush but front is usually fine. Also depends on the conditions you ride in. Can get very muddy here but thick mud, not watery gritty mud which is usually much worse. I’m a believer in less is more in regard to messing around with pivots. Too easy to overtightened them afterwards which is bad for wear.

Thanks for the info!

 

[The Hodge]

What kind of environment do you ride in?

I was being a little flippant with my answer ..but in all honesty all I have used is that particular product ..Juice Lubes ..after every ride on the suspension & seat post and a small squirt on all of the linkages ..
I ride in one of Europe's largest man made forests from home ..also a lot of moorland riding in the North Pennines & Cheviot Hills ..its predominantly wet ..with a couple of sunny days each year

 

[2WheelsNot4]

Definitely too quiet there these days and without wanting to lower the tone, I’ll ride anything if it looks fun.

They certainly are that. Knocked twenty years off me and I've went for finding commuting and cycling in general to be a slog in a means to an end to get about to be a fun pastime again. Shame I didn't go this road years ago.

I figured applying oil externally would be an issue for dust build up.

Aye I took that on board from Clubby's answer. We know each other off another bike forum and I know his advice is very sound. It's just im lazy these days and disassembling pivots to grease them is something i was hoping to avoid.

 

[Doomanic]

Retrobike?

 

[2WheelsNot4]

Retrobike?

Yup.

 

[w2ge]

Important when servicing the rear to go slow…. If you treat it right it’ll give you years of enjoyment.
(if this gets me kicked off.,. So be it )

 

[thebarber]

ALWAYS lube the rear.

Dry Dry Dry
They'll never forget ya