How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Oh right! Success at last. I finally got the pivot free. Free from the frame anyway.
After multiple attempts to press it out, hammering it and using an actual penetrant (instead of WD40 degreaser), I was still getting nowhere.
So I thought, if I can just cut the exposed pivot down flush to the frame, I should be able to twist out the suspension piece. So I very carefully Dremeled it down and was able to angle the suspension coil enough to free it from the frame's eyelet.
Luckily, I bought a spare suspension coil. I doubt I'll be reusing this one. Unless I can get a replacement barrel, or maybe somehow free the pivot from it. The bushings are all split anyway.
I want to thank you guys for helping me through this.
After multiple attempts to press it out, hammering it and using an actual penetrant (instead of WD40 degreaser), I was still getting nowhere.
So I thought, if I can just cut the exposed pivot down flush to the frame, I should be able to twist out the suspension piece. So I very carefully Dremeled it down and was able to angle the suspension coil enough to free it from the frame's eyelet.
Luckily, I bought a spare suspension coil. I doubt I'll be reusing this one. Unless I can get a replacement barrel, or maybe somehow free the pivot from it. The bushings are all split anyway.
I want to thank you guys for helping me through this.
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Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Nice. Put grease on the new pin when you put it back together. It must have seized onto the bushing.
"One test is worth a thousand opinions"
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
I'll keep that in mind. When I assembled this bike 3 years ago, I had no idea there was a barrel inside, let alone understand that the bushings were just external rings that slide on. I thought they were imbedded right through our something.
I also suspect that I might have over tightened at some stage. I can cast my mind back to when there was some side to side play between the front and rear parts of the frame. I tried tightening the main pivot, then I went to tighten the coil's pivot bolts. It's possible that I might have squeezed the barrel out of shape maybe.
Anyway, I'm soaking the barrel in penetrant to see if I can free it at all. I'm somewhat curious to see if my theory checks out.
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Ideally, there should be bushings each side, meeting in the middle in the shock eyelet instead of one long bushing. Bushings must be soft alu. They need frequent servicing unless the shock eyelet has a greasing zerk. In any case, the bushings should be replaced once a year. It is not over-tightening that caused the pivot and bushing to seize, only lack of maintenance. Over-tightening the pivot bolt can damage the frame, it is normally fitted with a Nylock nut and requires little torque.
Make it fool-proof, and I will make a better fool.
Current bikes
Street:
Trek Session 10 mod. Variable geometry. 70mph
Dirt:
Santa Cruz V10. 50mph
Current bikes
Street:
Trek Session 10 mod. Variable geometry. 70mph
Dirt:
Santa Cruz V10. 50mph
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Hello everyone, I've currently got the same problem but it won't move at all. I've tried everything a thick elastic band, and dabbing some glue on it. I also tried heating the frame, but nothing seems to work. It just doesn't budge at all. Any ideas please?
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
I'd lob the shock shaft off, cut a segment out of the middle of the bushing allowing the shaft stump to be removed, then tap the two remaining nubs out using lots of profanity as lubrication.
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Have you tried the C clamp? That got me half way there.
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
I've tried the C clamp, I think I've loosened the threads a little bit, but I've rounded the head of the bolt so I can't really get any grip to pull it out.
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
Could we see some images of what exactly you're dealing with?
Is your pivot also holding a suspension coil like mine was or is it another pivot altogether?
Re: How to remove a stuck pivot bolt
After about a week of soaking the pivot in penetrant, I managed to get it out of it's barrel. Yeah, I think the culprit was corrosion.
There was a thick dark band around that last stubborn bit. And looking inside the little barrel, there looks to be something that looks like some rough surface spots right near the exit, in the side I was struggling to well... Exit.
Also, a few dark bands on The outside of the barrel mostly towards that exit side.
Just out of curiosity, I took the other pivot bolt from that suspension (the one that came out easily) and tried to insert it into this barrel, and sure enough it jams right at that end. Can't slide it past that entry/exit point either way I insert it.
There was a thick dark band around that last stubborn bit. And looking inside the little barrel, there looks to be something that looks like some rough surface spots right near the exit, in the side I was struggling to well... Exit.
Also, a few dark bands on The outside of the barrel mostly towards that exit side.
Just out of curiosity, I took the other pivot bolt from that suspension (the one that came out easily) and tried to insert it into this barrel, and sure enough it jams right at that end. Can't slide it past that entry/exit point either way I insert it.
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