[FISHLEG]

Ok folks, I gots me a 2001 Santa cruz Super 8. Last year I did some maintanence and changed the shock bushings with new stuff from Fox. When I put the shock back on the lower mount had some vertical play in it. So I let it go for another year and this year I ordered new bushings again and got a new bolt from the hardware store. Put it all on and still have vertical play.

It appears like the bolt is too small, or the bolt hole in the bushings is too large. The bushings fit nice and tight into the shock eyelet. If you grab the seat and lift the rear of the bike and look real close you can see the shock lift up and down a tiny bit on the shock bolt, maybe about 1mm. When you pick up the bike there is a small clunk.

So what's the deal here? I have all new hardware and there's still play. If you are familiar with Super 8's, there isn't a bolt and nut used to mount the lower end of the shock. It just uses a bolt that threads into a "shock shuttle" which is a machined piece, so there's no way I have the wrong size bolt, or the threads wouldn't match up and it would never go in. Then this shock shuttle is bolted onto the swingarm. The play is defenitely in the lower shock mount, nowhere else.

Any suggestions? And don't tell me "Super 8's suck, go buy something else!"

 

[Atomik Carbon]

Too Simple.........

Just get some plummers teflon tape and wrap the bolt with it till the slackness disappears.

Nuff Said.

 

[dream4est]

Ok folks, I gots me a 2001 Santa cruz Super 8. Last year I did some maintanence and changed the shock bushings with new stuff from Fox. When I put the shock back on the lower mount had some vertical play in it. So I let it go for another year and this year I ordered new bushings again and got a new bolt from the hardware store. Put it all on and still have vertical play.

It appears like the bolt is too small, or the bolt hole in the bushings is too large. The bushings fit nice and tight into the shock eyelet. If you grab the seat and lift the rear of the bike and look real close you can see the shock lift up and down a tiny bit on the shock bolt, maybe about 1mm. When you pick up the bike there is a small clunk.

So what's the deal here? I have all new hardware and there's still play. If you are familiar with Super 8's, there isn't a bolt and nut used to mount the lower end of the shock. It just uses a bolt that threads into a "shock shuttle" which is a machined piece, so there's no way I have the wrong size bolt, or the threads wouldn't match up and it would never go in. Then this shock shuttle is bolted onto the swingarm. The play is defenitely in the lower shock mount, nowhere else.

Any suggestions? And don't tell me "Super 8's suck, go buy something else!"

if it has a nice loud squeak im guessing the shuttle is worn out. but if your right go to the lbs and have them measure your lower shock mount with a caliper to check for wear. a local santa cruz dealer should be able to fix this right away. my buddy gabe said he had similar problems and The Sports Garage here in boulder, co fixed it right away.

 

[.WestCoastHucker.]

.................. my buddy gabe said he had similar problems and The Sports Garage here in boulder, co fixed it right away.

the sports garage guys are just way too cool......
about three years ago, my friend snapped the rear swingarm on his RM7, they gave him a replacement arm right off a floor model........
just like that, without even talking to RM or anything. now that is some service....

 

[Frankenschwinn]

Nice Avitar WCH

 

[FISHLEG]

There is no squeek at all. Like I said, you can visibly see the shock lift a tiny bit off the bolt when you lift the rear end by the seat.

The shock sides fit quite snug into the shuttle, it seems ok. As far as I know SC is no longer making replacement parts for Super 8's.

How long does the teflon tape remedy last? I've heard of it before. Doesn't the tape get pulverized and disintergrate?

 

[Jm.]

How long does the teflon tape remedy last? I've heard of it before. Doesn't the tape get pulverized and disintergrate?

It lasts for about 30 seconds when you start riding.

Sounds like you might have ovalized shock mounts. You can drill out your fox eyelet adaptors and the mounts and put a bigger bolt in there.

 

[.WestCoastHucker.]

It lasts for about 30 seconds when you start riding...................

if you're lucky....

 

[Jm.]

what does last longer than 30 seconds is aluminum from a soda-can. Use it as a shim around the bolt.

 

[FISHLEG]

I figured the tape fix was a bust. I've done the beer can shim fix on my RM7. I'll have to give that a try. Do they make stainless steel in sheets that thin? I think that would last longer. My Rm's shims never lasted that long.

I'm pretty sure my shock mounts aren't ovalized. The bolt isn't moving at all, just the shock moving up and down on the bolt.

As a side note: Why don't they make bolts with less thread and more smooth contact area for shocks? Is there a name for a bolt like this? Shoulder bolt or something?

Where's a good place to buy funky bolts online?

 

[Slack]

I figured the tape fix was a bust. I've done the beer can shim fix on my RM7. I'll have to give that a try. Do they make stainless steel in sheets that thin? I think that would last longer. My Rm's shims never lasted that long.

I'm pretty sure my shock mounts aren't ovalized. The bolt isn't moving at all, just the shock moving up and down on the bolt.

As a side note: Why don't they make bolts with less thread and more smooth contact area for shocks? Is there a name for a bolt like this? Shoulder bolt or something?

Where's a good place to buy funky bolts online?

They're called shoulder screws: http://www.mscdirect.com/IWCatSecti...n_Id=2006713&pcount=15&pbegin=0&RestartFlow=t

 

[dream4est]

I figured the tape fix was a bust. I've done the beer can shim fix on my RM7. I'll have to give that a try. Do they make stainless steel in sheets that thin? I think that would last longer. My Rm's shims never lasted that long.

I'm pretty sure my shock mounts aren't ovalized. The bolt isn't moving at all, just the shock moving up and down on the bolt.

As a side note: Why don't they make bolts with less thread and more smooth contact area for shocks? Is there a name for a bolt like this? Shoulder bolt or something?

Where's a good place to buy funky bolts online?

like i said before take your bike into an authorized santa cruz dealer and your problem, whether it's a worn shuttle or bolt issue, will be fixed. trust me. my friend has the same old super 8 and the lbs fixed it no problems. the problem you have is common among old super 8's.

remember the problem kona had with upper shock bolts? well the fox dh eyelet kit is an easy wasy to fix it. im sure that there is something similar at the lbs near you that sells santa cruz. i mean its free to take your bike in, show them the play you describe, and ask them if they can fix it.

 

[FISHLEG]

Sadly, there are no Santa Cruz dealers in my area. I got the frame used in the MTB classifieds..

Can you ask your buddy what they did to fix it? I would really appreciate it.

 

[dream4est]

Sadly, there are no Santa Cruz dealers in my area. I got the frame used in the MTB classifieds..

Can you ask your buddy what they did to fix it? I would really appreciate it.

he just needed a brand new shuttle. if the bolt size is a little small try a hardware or fastener store. take in your bolt and shock eyelet bushings. show them what you have and maybe they will have what you need. rememeber that a shoulder screw can be ordered right there at the local hardware store if thats what you need. i did that for my iron horse sgs and got better locking hardware for my linkage.