How to Install Bicycle Suspension Bearings

Suspension bearing replacement is among the more challenging maintenance tasks to complete on mountain bikes. While they require time and patience to install, proper maintenance and replacement of these bearings will ensure a smooth ride. Suspension bearings are small mechanisms located in your bike suspension's inner shock tube, designed to accommodate the movement of the bicycle's suspension. These small insertions help maintain the smoothness of your ride by rotating as the shock tube expands and contracts to absorb disturbance from unexpected bumps on the riding surface.

Things You'll Need

  • 4mm Allen wrench
  • 5mm Allen wrench
  • 6mm Allen wrench
  • 5/16-inch Allen wrench
  • 7/8-inch wrench
  • 3/4-inch wrench
  • 11/16-inch wrench
  • Plastic mallet
  • VPP press tool
  • 680 Loctite
  • 242 Loctite
  • Coating grease
  • Q-tip
  • Acetone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the rear wheel, caliper and derailleur from your bicycle frame. Loosen the nuts and bolts from these attachments using an Allen wrench to remove the parts from the frame.

    • 2

      Remove the suspension shock from your bicycle frame by loosening the bolts at the top and bottom of the shock using a 4mm Allen wrench. Remove the nut from the bolt, and pull the bolt through the hole to disengage the shock tube from the frame.

    • 3

      Remove the top and bottom links from the bicycle frame using a 5mm Allen wrench to expose the suspension bearings within the link sockets. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the bolt from the frame. The link is at the insertion point of the top portion of the shock tube. This is the location where you will remove and install your new suspension bearings.

    • 4

      Push the bearing free from the upper link socket using a VPP Press Tool to press the flat portion of the tool against the bearing bushing. Tighten the two ends of the VPP Press Tool to begin to push the bearing out of the link socket. You will hear a cracking sound, which is the Loctite seal of the bearing being broken. Tighten the pressing tool to remove the bearing from the top link. Repeat the removal steps for the lower link socket bearings.

    • 5

      Clean the upper and lower link sockets using acetone to remove the dried Loctite seal from the previously installed suspension bearings. Soak a Q-tip with acetone and rub it along the inner edges of the link socket.

    • 6

      Apply a new coat of 680 Loctite sealant into the link sockets using a Q-tip to spread an even application of the adhesive along the inner face of the socket.

    • 7

      Insert the new suspension bearings into the upper and lower sockets when the Loctite has been applied. Using the butt-end of a screwdriver or wrench, push the bearings securely into the link sockets.

    • 8

      Reinstall the top and bottom links onto the bicycle frame by passing the proper bolts through the center holes of the bearings and tightening the links using an Allen wrench. Apply a coat of 242 Loctite using a Q-tip on the ends of the link bolts if you wish to securely seal the links to the frame of the bicycle.

    • 9

      Reinstall the suspension shock by fitting it into place between the upper and lower links of the bicycle frame. Pass the proper bolts through the top and bottom holes of the shock tube, and tighten the nuts using a 4mm Allen wrench.

    • 10

      Reinstall the rear wheel, caliper and derailleur onto your frame to restore your bicycle to riding condition.