Thanks Rod - spent a couple hours today giving the Rise's linkages some love per your guide which is well written and thorough. Well done sir. A+++ work. I think I might have tightened the preload tool a tiny bit too much as the plastic ring came out a tiny bit squashed in one area. Also checked the torque on the motor bolts -they all were a tiny bit loose vis a vis my torque wrench. I couldn't get to the one behind the chainring without removing the cranks and didn't feel like tackling any more work on it today. I am pretty wrecked from doing my physical therapy yesterday. Need to check the cranks soon though as I read about the E-13 crank issues.
Took the Rise out for a quick spin after I got it all back together and heard no clicking! I am initially encouraged but will need a trail ride to confirm. It will be a week or so before I can get it out on the trails. Next week looks cooler with high's in the 30's and I don't ride outdoors if it is less than 40-45f. Wednesday looks to be the exception so maybe then.
One thing...the bearings in the front linkage axle seem rough or something in comparison to the rest which are smooth. Both of them. Not sure if this is "normal" to a Rise linkage axle bearing or not. Bike only has maybe a dozen rides on it, if that. Hard to understand that wear could be the issue here unless this is normal behavior. I have a short video of me rotating the axle and you can hear it but I do not know how to attach it to this thread (might not be able to).
Thank you,
Curtis
Curtis,
Thank you for the nice compliment. I'm glad it helped. When I first encountered the creaking, it drove me flippin nuts trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. I wrote the article to save everybody else the headache.
If it makes you feel any better, I squished my pre-load tool washer the first time I used it also. You can reuse the tool with the ring slightly damaged. Just make sure the rubber ring is seating fully against the axle when you set pre-load. The rubber ring may hang up on the linkage arm when you screw it in. This will give a false pre-load setting.
In regards to bearings. Your upper pivot bearings should spin smoothly. Because Orbea doesn't use a bearing dust shield on the pivot bearings, dirt will work it's way past the bearing seal. The dirt will contaminate the grease and cause it to harden. This will cause a rough grit feel when you try to rotate the bearing with your fingers. Fortunately, it's an easy fix. You will need a pressurized degreaser cleaner such as Brakleen or WD-40 and a good quality grease such as what I suggested in the article. If your rides involve stream crossings and frequent bike washes, then make sure the grease is a waterproof type. I like Schaeffers 219 SynForce Green waterproof grease. The stuff sticks well and won't wash out. It lasts a long time.
As mention in my article, remove the bearing's outer dust shield and spray the pressurized cleaner into the bearing. Rotate the bearing as you spray. This will wash the dirt and hardened grease out of the bearing race. Keep doing this until the bearing spins smoothly with no grit feel. Next take a dab of grease and place it in the palm of your hand. With your finger, dip into the grease and begin pushing it into the bearing. Rotate the bearing and keep working the grease into the bearing until it's full. Reapply the dust seal and wipe off the excess. Do the same to the other side.
Originally, I thought the creaking issue was a lack of grease. I would dismantle the linkage and re-lubricate and install the linkage. This would last about 1-2 months before the clicking and creaking would return. I later figured out the linkage arms were spreading apart on the splines and opening up pre-load. Rich from eMTB Forum wisely suggested using a retaining compound on the axle splines and linkage arms. The Rise Blue Paper doesn't specify which type of cylindrical retaining compound to use. While reviewing the Rallon Blue Paper (Owners manual), I saw Orbea recommended Loctite 638 on the linkage. I tried the Loctite 638. Success! I've yet to have the arms loosen up again. I've since serviced my linkage and can confirm that the Loctite 638 does allow for disassembly at a later date.
If you didn't use Loctite 638 or a similar retaining compound, then your linkage arms will spread open again after a few hard rides. Which being familiar with Colorado, it's going to happen.
As a change of subject, have you ever ridden the Midlands trail system near Buena Vista Colorado? I rode there last month. I couldn't believe how good that place is. So much fun, I loved Unchained and Django.
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