Caveman Lawyer said:
Anyway to the point - when I pick up the bike a feel a slight klunking. It seems that the rear triangle drops a bit and there is a bit of vertical play in the pivot. The bike has the Manitou swinger 3, if that makes any difference. Anyone else have this problem? What can be done to fix it?
I find the easiest way to pinpoint play is to put one foot on the rear tire to hold the back wheel on the ground, with one hand lift up and push down on the seat gently, and with the free hand go from one pivot to the next and put your fingers around the o-ring area and you should be able to detect where the movement is. One more thing to do is put the left crank arm parallel to the left chainstay, and using firm pressure squeeze the crank arm and chainstay together, and then spread them apart. If there is play in the main pivot, you should be able to see it. This is the best test to diagnose main pivot play.
Typically what you are describing is play in the shock mounts which is a reducer/bushing interface problem. If you can elminiate this possibility, but can't pinpoint the feeling, get the bike good and wet and try to work some water into the pivot o-ring interface. Do the lift/push thing and see if you can get a bubble to emerge/disappear at an oring. Also make sure your rear hub bearings don't have play (King hubs loosen up after break in and have to be readjusted).
Check the torque on all the pivots as was mentioned. After you have the issue pinpointed or continue to be stumped, report back. It is possible a part is out of spec, but I would suspect another cause first.
