1999 Kona stab suspension creaking

[EarlofBarnet]

I can't see the shock itself creaking. Maybe the sleeves either side of the eyes of the shock? But if it where I'd have thought they'd show wear or have a bit of movement.

Bit of an annoying one, but one you hopefully suss soon.

 

[333337lee]

No bearings

I serviced the main pivot on my suspension today.
It seems the 1999 Kona Stab has no bearings in the suspension at all.
I'm glad I didn't buy any of the Ebay kits I linked earlier.
just 2 small plastic discs which I have cleaned up.
the whole lot has been cleaned and regreased, just the rear pivot to go then I'll see if it's my shock creaking.

 

[dyna-ti]

Now you have it apart,a nice new coat of paint/powder should follow

 

[333337lee]

Still creaking

I managed to do the last pivot today

seemed to be ok at first for about a mile then it started creaking again.

Gutted I really thought it was sorted.

I have now tried moving the frame up and down without the shock and it is almost silent.

So now the question is can I clean or lubricate the shock?

 

[dyna-ti]

Headphones-music
That way at least you cant hear it

 

[333337lee]

Shock

I took the shock off it's a fox vanilla r
I can move the shock in and out with my hand it makes no creaking noises you can just hear the oil as it moves in and out

could the spring cause a creak it is rusty on one end?

I think it looks like the shock may go in and out at a very slight angle when it's on my bike.

any guess on the cost of servicing

or a reasonable priced replacement it's 190mm eye to eye

 

[333337lee]

Sorted

Thanks for everybodys advice I turned the shock around (not upside down) i've been riding for several days and my suspension is very quiet now not creaking at all

It's a great bike to ride. I can't believe how well it handles through the woods and over rough ground. Apart from my bmx at the skatepark this is the most fun I've had on a bike!

Even though it's 30-35 pounds it feels light and responsive to ride hopping up and over things is easy when you preload the suspension.

If you haven't tried a full suspension bike I reccomend you try one the stab was £2200 in 1999

I can't believe it only cost me £220.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Any time I ever heard a squeek from a coil shock on a car it was due to the ball joint or the coil rubbing. Since you don't have a ball joint I would have automatically suspected the coil itself. I got a coil shock on my 2009 Kona Stinky Six and I know that someday it will squeek, especially with my heavy weight and size 14 shoes pummeling the hell out of the bike. I salute your diligence in finding the suspected annoyance. Two quarts up.

 

[Cristian-T]

Hey, well done on getting it sorted! I have been servicing & stripping DH bikes for years (own a shop) & for the record, most creaking is caused through worrn bearings/bushes, dirty pivots (inbetween bearing/bushes) loose pivot bolts, and tiny cracks. Also, assembley without full-on proper clean-up.

Coil shocks are not often the cause, the main problem with these is one that often goes unnoticed, lack of oil = no damping ! easy way to find out if its working or not, is to remove the shock, remove the spring, make sure the rebound is dialled in halfway or so, & compress the shaft inside, & (hopefully) watch it return (travel outwards) nice & slow, if it comes out fast = no oil = no damping = service. Worth checking, vanilla shocks on old single pivot bikes take a beating..

The correct spring rate for your weight helps to

Cristian