Suspension pivot ticking noise under lateral/vertical load

[Burl_Schnarl]

I have a ticking sound that I believe might be coming from a pivot point in the suspension. I can increase the ticking by leaning quickly left or right and also jumping up and down. I can also silence the ticking for the most part if I’m completely still and just paddling smoothly I already checked the seat post clamp. I shot a little silicon in the pivot points and the pedal threads. But that didn’t do anything. I also clean the head tube when I set the head angle, but the sounds not coming from there anyway.The bike is a 2022 with 300 miles on it. I just bought it from a guy in Colorado who says it was his wife’s and she hardly rode it. I’m wondering if some joints somewhere just got dry and need some lube.I’m thinking about removing all the bolts in the suspension, pivot and greasing them up a little bit, but wanted to see if there was anyone else that had any experiences like this. It’s a definite tick sound, not a clink or rattle. I appreciate any comments or suggestions.

 

[Greg Watts]

I have a ticking sound that I believe might be coming from a pivot point in the suspension. I can increase the ticking by leaning quickly left or right and also jumping up and down. I can also silence the ticking for the most part if I’m completely still and just paddling smoothly I already checked ...

@Burl_Schnarl - your diagnosis sounds pretty solid.

A tick that responds to lateral loading and bouncing but goes quiet under smooth, steady pedalling is almost always a pivot or linkage issue, and on a 2022 Levo greased joints drying out is the most likely culprit.

Your plan to pull the pivot bolts and regrease is exactly the right move.

A few pointers:

•

Clean the pivot bores properly before regreasing - silicone spray on a dry pivot just makes a thin, slippery mess rather than proper lubrication.

Pull the bolts, clean the bores and bearings with isopropyl, pack with a good marine or waterproof grease (Slickoleum, Finish Line Teflon, or even generic Waterproof).

•

Check the pivot bearings themselves while you're in there.

A dry bearing with a tiny amount of play can tick rhythmically with lateral load and go quiet when the load is symmetrical.

With only ~300 miles it's unlikely they're worn out, but they may simply be completely dry from storage.

•

Don't overlook the linkage bolt torque.

If any bolt has backed off even slightly, that's a tick waiting to happen.

Worth torquing everything back to spec while you're in there.

•

Quick to eliminate before dismantling the suspension.

300 miles of Colorado hardpack storage is exactly the kind of thing that dries pivots out.

Regrease, retorque, and it should go quiet.