Drag Link 'Play'

[speighty58]

Afternoon peeps,

So half way round the NC500 in Scotland this weekend - i noticed the Trophy had become a bit bouncy - sure enough 'weeping' rear shock at 27,000 miles.
No biggy - nothing lasts forever,

Stripped the rear shock out to send away to get fixed / rebuilt  and I noticed 'excessive' play in the drag link bearings.
Some of you good gentlemen have removed/replaced the shock and I wondered if anyone else had this , what I would call - excessive play. Going to be quite expensive, not to mention difficult to remove all 3 sets of bearings.

The sleeve is also heavily worn and pitted - going to clean and polish it up first  and see if i need to replace it.

 I have video'd it for reference, but I'd appreciate any comments if this play is 'normal', of all the things I've done on a bike before - Ive replaced loads of bearing , but never any wishbone before, Ive read the manual a few time and can't find any mention of check for 'play' - my head says there shouldnt be any AT ALL - but I though I'd check.

[digital]

All bearings must have a minimum of movement, but very minimal, but not that abrupt movement.

It could be that there is the screw that holds the upper part of the shock, something loose. But maybe and most likely you have some bad or worn bearing needles.

Replacement bearings and seals are available.

[digital]

Now I have looked at the pc and I see that this shock absorber has suffered an oil leak, is it true?

Before I saw the video on the mobile and did not appreciate that loss of oil.

[Coconut]

When you recorded that video was the forward end of the Drag Link connected to the Frame ?

When I watch it I can see the movement of the bottom end of the Rear Suspension Unit ( RSU )
along with the Drag Link, but I don't see any obvious movement between the Drag Link and RSU,
so is that movement / play coming from the forward end of the Drag Link to Frame ?

Edited to add : If the forward end of the drag Link to Frame is disconnected,
then the movement may be normal from the top mounting of the RSU
which has a "Metalastic Bush" mounting, rather than a fixed Bearing.

If you need replacement sleeves, try sending a Private Message to Forum Member 1675.

He has previously ground some these sleeves from Stainless Steel and has provided them
to Members when he was raising funds for a Charity - He may have some left.

Regarding the Bearings and Seals, if you take a browse through the Spare Parts List
that I prepared for the forum, which you can find here : Trophy Spare Parts List,
you will see that I have included some equivalent Bearings and Seals,
that are more economical to purchase than the "Genuine Triumph" parts !

Cheers 

[speighty58]

Hi Digital

Yes your correct - the shock is leaking fluid - 'more of a weep' than a catastrophic loss of oil ......
Like I say - these things happen

[speighty58]

Thanks for the links Cocunut - Ive started preparing the list of bearings / seals / sleeves etc.
Even if the bearings looked ok, I would have replaced them all while the RSU is out, no point spending money and having a nice new shock fitted to old bearings !

The 'play' is all at the top end - where it joins the swing-arm - the connection to the RSU was solid.

Looking at the top bolt - it also in the 'wrong' way so its not going to be a simple job to drop the drag link out.

[Coconut]

Sorry, I don't understand - In the Video the Drop Links are not fitted. 

( The lower end of the Drop Links attach to the Drag Link at the bottom of the RSU,
and the upper ends of the Drop Links attach to either side of the Swingarm ).

[Coconut]

For removal of the forward Drag Link Bolt the bike needs to be supported :

If the Bolt has been inserted from the left, i.e. with the Nut on the right side of the bike, then
the Bolt cannot be withdrawn enough to free the Drag Link, while the bike is on the Centre Stand.

With the bike on the Side stand it is possible, after removing the Nut,
to use a metal rod of the same diameter as the bolt ( 12mm and with a nicely chamfered end )
to push / knock the bolt out, so that the rod replaces the bolt and continues to support the bike.

You can then turn the Bolt around, insert it from the right side of the bike
and push the temporary rod out.

Put the bike up onto the Centre stand, and you will then be able to withdraw the Bolt far enough
( easier if you remove the Centre stand springs ) to free the Drag Link and remove it,
along with the short spacer ( which can get corroded and stuck in place ).

This Video is taken from my Post on December 2nd, 2020, in an existing 32 page Topic !
( Drag Link failure - rear suspension assembly )

Cheers