Xeon Virtual Link bolts loosening

Yes, you can use blue loc-tite on them (Blue 242). Do not use red or green! All the bolts should have a blue loc-tite patch on them from the factory, but if they were ever taken completely out, the loc-tite falls off.

Just as an FYI, you can safely use blue loc-tite on all your pivot bolts.

downhilljill said:

Yes, you can use blue loc-tite on them (Blue 242). Do not use red or green! All the bolts should have a blue loc-tite patch on them from the factory, but if they were ever taken completely out, the loc-tite falls off.

Just as an FYI, you can safely use blue loc-tite on all your pivot bolts.

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Thanks Jill.

None of the Link Bolts had any loctite on them. The Lower Pivot Bolt on the Drive side was just about to fall out and my only option was to buy a Crank Puller to get at it. PITA to say the least.

This frame is an outstanding ride. The Xeon tracks so much better than the X6 it is simply shocking how much more stability I now have. Still a few issues I'm working out but at this point I would say I am a "Stoked" Haro customer.

Now the hard part... Trying to regain 3 lost weeks of riding

Awesome! Glad to hear you like the Xeon! I had a feeling you would...I sure love mine. I always have to remind myself I'm on a bike with over 6" of travel. It's so efficient and balanced.

Unfortunately the Loctite did not solve the Pivot Bolts loosening. After only 2 rides since the Loctite application the squeaking has reappeared signaling to me that the bolts are once again loose.

Do other Xeon riders have to tighten the pivot bolts every couple of rides? Shouldnt loctite have held the bolts more securely? It looks to me like the action of the suspension just naturally loosens these bolts.

Could this frame be missing some other hardware like lock washers?

Any suggestions on this matter appreciated.

Xeon rorque

Guys,

When I first rode my Xeon, the main pivot came loose and slipped right off the bearing after only a few rides. I had to keep an eye on it after putting it back together but they do seem to work there way loose over time.

It would be nice to get some detailed instructions on how to assemble it from Haro. I wonder if Jill's pivots get loose on her Xeonand she's just not telling us.

JP

jwpeltier said:

Guys,

When I first rode my Xeon, the main pivot came loose
JP

Click to expand...

This is why their is a break in service. Consider it normal at this point, it's also known as seating in or beading in depending on which term you respect and understand. :cornut:

torque specs

Break-in service! It's called cheap labor, loose tolerances, and poor quality control.

On one of the connecting braces on my Xeon frame that houses the two bearing, one falls right out while the needs to be pressed in. I like the frame and Haro has been great in helping out but these issues seem to be avoidable.

Anyone else help Quality issues or break the frame yet.

JP

jwpeltier said:

Break-in service! It's called cheap labor, loose tolerances, and poor quality control.

On one of the connecting braces on my Xeon frame that houses the two bearing, one falls right out while the needs to be pressed in. I like the frame and Haro has been great in helping out but these issues seem to be avoidable.

Anyone else help Quality issues or break the frame yet.

JP

Click to expand...

Good thing you dont ride a moto or own quality speakers. :rockon:

I had the same thing happen to me. I contacted Haro with a email, which is listed on
their website. Haro then set me up with a local bike shop that installed a whole new linkage
package. It was all free of charge. I asked the dude at the bike shop what went wrong, he told me that Haro had some linkage problems on some of their bikes because one of the suppliers made their products out of spec. I have not had any problems since I had the new linkage installed. Contact Haro!!!! They will take care of you. I hope this helps!!!!:thumbsup:

Medboy said:

I had the same thing happen to me. I contacted Haro with a email, which is listed on
their website. Haro then set me up with a local bike shop that installed a whole new linkage
package. It was all free of charge. I asked the dude at the bike shop what went wrong, he told me that Haro had some linkage problems on some of their bikes because one of the suppliers made their products out of spec. I have not had any problems since I had the new linkage installed. Contact Haro!!!! They will take care of you. I hope this helps!!!!:thumbsup:

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Haro doesn't seem to agree with this assessment though. The guy I talked to said he was unaware of any issues regarding the rear suspension. He was much more concerned with how much I weigh. (73" 220)

Not only are these bolts loose but the bearings in the cups on the upper pivot seem to be pulling out and no amount of tightening will re-seat them in the cups. I'm sure this is why the rear feels like I have a flat tire as I come around any corner. Like the Geometry is wrong and is a dangerous situation that needs to be addressed.

I was told the same stories form Haro authorized dealer and Haro themselves but the replacement parts (linkages) where exactly the same and worked the same.

I returned the frame and had to dispute the charges on my CC, that is how Haro authorized dealer wanted to play the game.

There are few threads about similar issues, I like the most the one called "No love from HARO at all!!!!!!!!" where the guy wouldn't even say what happened to his frame but by reading his posts he no longer owns it.

Now all Haro fanboyz can come and defend Haro as they did here:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=341153

"Any" frame is going to make some noise or flex but Haro is special with the potential of the bearings jumping out of the linkage. Ouch!

My advice is to scrap that frame and buy from companies that do make bikes, not those that market them.

Happy Easter :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Mitch_A,

I would put up the good fight with Haro because after my rear triangle broke and Haro sent a new one out, they were more than happy to also send out all new linkages and bearings. That tells me they know some frames had questionable parts delivered from the factory.

My rear triangle snapped near the main pivot and I attribute it to extreme side loads caused by the pivots coming loose. Once the bolts are loose and the big hoop in your photo starts moving it can fall right off, causing the two frame triangles to become disconnected. Watch the bolts very carefully or you could be in the same boat as me.

I can probably send a photo of the break if you're interested, it may give you an idea what to watch out for.

JP