Issues with the new Blindside shock bolts

[liquid spandex]

Hi Folks,
I searched this forum first, but couldn't find the answer

I have a new version blindside (2010 v4?) straight seat tube, tapered headtube
I got it barely used and noticed the rear shock bolts were bent, dont remember if front or rear
think front (the long female sleeve nut)
I ordered new bolts from tranny, they said it was because it was loose
I put the new ones on and now I feel a lot of slop again, only a few rides on the bike
They were locktited and I checked before each ride and they were not loose
I havent torn the rear shock off to look, but it seems it's a weak spot on the bike
I do ride it pretty hard, but I also rode the old blindside (v1?) I had the same way
The bolts were more standard, thicker with an external nut on the old frame (as opposed to the countersunk ones on the new designs

Anyone else have similar issues and is there a fix?

Thanks
G

[Chad_Money]

the front bolts usually are a bit long and bottom out on each other rather than the mount. File the end of the female end down a bit and re-tighten and that should solve your issue.

[pebbles]

I had the same thing happen on my Double. First, take care when tightening. If you use a crap wrench it will round-out, I know this. Really coat the bolt with blue loctite and tighten till everything is solid, just pick the seat up a little and drop, no clicks or clunks and you're done. I think the little blue spot just isn't quite enough in some cases. It also helps to just tighten the threaded end and hold the other still.

pebbles

[craigstr]

I built up a Covert kit for a friend and had the same problem, the sleeve nut on the front shock mount was a few mm too long. I ground a few mm off with my bench grinder and all is well. Seems like an obvious QC problem.

[xpipx]

Listen to Chad. Mine did the same thing. Just file the female end to make it a little shorter and then reassemble.

[squealing brakes]

and still have the prob
It looks like the marz air is wobbling between the du bushing and marz spacers (took vid, will post
I also lightly marked up the stanchion by resting the frame with the front bolt off (i thought it was resting somewhere esle, i put enamel paint on the marks, did not sand, did not feel burs, not leaking yet...)

the bolts were a bit too long so Im sure it helped a bit

I think I might need new du busings, dont have tool to extract, i think there are some on the interwebz
or i could just give up and ride till it breaks

took vid but need a few more posts to put in links

[liquid spandex]

carp, only 6 posts on this username

i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv21/gideon_yahoo/th_2011-09-17_16-41-20_798.jpg

[liquid spandex]

I meant to post this
s666.photobucket.com/albums/vv21/gideon_yahoo/?action=view&current=2011-09-17_16-41-20_798.mp4

[zebrahum]

I ordered new bolts from tranny, they said it was because it was loose
I put the new ones on and now I feel a lot of slop again, only a few rides on the bike
They were locktited and I checked before each ride and they were not loose
I havent torn the rear shock off to look, but it seems it's a weak spot on the bike

and still have the prob
It looks like the marz air is wobbling between the du bushing and marz spacers (took vid, will post

...

I think I might need new du busings, dont have tool to extract, i think there are some on the interwebz
or i could just give up and ride till it breaks

took vid but need a few more posts to put in links

Sounds like squealing brakes definately has a DU bushing issue and I would suspect that liquid spandex also has one. If the new bolt is still showing play in the suspension then you need to get a new DU bushing pressed in and possibly also get new reducer hardware if you've done damage to it from running it loose.

[liquid spandex]

from the forum user who sells these things
forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/x-post-review-mtnbiker4lifes-shock-bushing-tool-396483.html

[liquid spandex]

just ground down the rear female shock nut and that seemed to solve the problem
shock, bushings and hardware are pretty new, like 6 mos

so now I bought the bench grinder, bushing tool (which I didnt use) for about total of about $150, but at least the clunk is fixed for now

[sheGNARnigans]

I had the same issue too. Replaced all the hardware, du, and bolts. Found it wore less too on the shorter travel position

[gideon]

clunk is back, it looks like the marz hardware has deformed the linkage a bit, so the inner sleeve of the hardware is pressing against the linkage and no matter how hard you tighten and compress the bolts, you cant eliminate the play
emailing TBC now and also inquiring about the new design

[Inigo Montoya]

i have exactly the same problem on my blindeside 2011. already ordered new shock bolts but that doesn't seem to have solved the problem. will try the grinding trick.
what did transition bikes say?

[Transition Bikes]

i have exactly the same problem on my blindeside 2011. already ordered nut shock bolts but that doesn't seem to ahve solved the problem. will try the grinding trick.
what did transition bikes say?

I would shoot an email to warranty@transitionbikes.com explaining the problem. We have a newer style bolt/nut combo, if you haven't used those we need to get you on them, if you are having problems with the NEW style hardware then we definitely need to talk...

Fire over an email and we will get you dialed!

[dansMTB]

How would one know if they had the new bolts? Any pictures anywhere?

[Transition Bikes]

How would one know if they had the new bolts? Any pictures anywhere?

The old hardware is 4 part... two unthreaded chips, one sleeve and a short taper head screw.

The new hardware is 3 part... one threaded chip, one unthreaded chip, and a long square head bolt.

Basically if neither of your chips have threads in them you have the older hardware.

[Inigo Montoya]

thanks for clearing that up. i obviously got the old shockbolts.
will write you a mail in a minute.
you guys are awesome!

[Inigo Montoya]

i received the new shock mounting hardware last week, thanks!
old one on the left, new one on the right.

[cgjeff]

Thanks for the pics! Picked up a new BS frame a few weeks ago and had the old hardware. Need to give TBC a call and get new stuff sent.