Got a very noticeable creak - narrowed it down to either the shock/pivot bearings (trance x shock mounts on main pivot) or more likely the shock itself. Compressing the shock slowly just pushing on the seat (ie no pedals) produces the noise. Putting my hand on the shock I can feel stiction / clicking but feeling on the bottom link I get nothing, plus it sounds like it is coming from inside shock so I'm relatively sure that's the culprit. Works fine with big movement/quick compression, doesn't make any noise - just when you do slow / small changes in compression it creaks and clicks.

I tried doing a quick refill with float fluid and relubing the air chamber seals, no change in behavior.

Anyone have any experience with fox float shocks? Is it likely my 215 lb lard ass could wear it out and give it a creak? It's an '08 so has about 4 years and 3-4000 miles on it. I'm assuming anything more than air chamber service is a shop job; I know about push - 170 for a custom tune, or I could get a brand new monarch in the weird trance size for about 280.

Quick google for creaking shock didn't produce a lot of hits so I'm mainly wondering if I'm off base suspecting the shock? Or maybe should I be looking at du bushing vs something internal?

On my Pivot, they recommend to grease the shock bushing if you hear creaking which I have heard before. After lightly greasing them it goes away. In a year and a half I have done it 3 times and it takes about 5 mins. I would try this first
Good luck

_________________
You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

You sir are a genius and I'm a dumbass for not thinking of that first. Cleaned the gritty goo out of there and relubed and no longer get the creak. Thanks!

Sweet glad it fixed it

_________________
You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

for your stiction get some slick honey....take apart your air sleeve and put a fair amount on the main seals (that contact the shaft itself). also use it on any o-rings or rubber seals that have friction.
once you put it in there and reassemble, as you ride, your shock will spooge the excess slick honey out, so dont fret when you see a 'leak type' oozing coming from the sleeve/shaft area. it will go away soon.
also, look into replacing your DU bushing when you do this (if you have never replaced it)....the DU bushing costs .50 cents online and it beats having it develop play once you get the shock all dialed in. the DUs are a regular maintenance item in my opinion....super easy and cheap to replace, but a nightmare to deal with when they develop play.

listen to me......i've been down this road one too many times....




..you may thank me know.

_________________
'the notorious North County Sancho'

thanks! time to order up a new DU and tube o honey - have to lube up my shaft anyway... errrr on my dropper seatpost that is

I had the same creaking problem on one of my bikes with a Fox shock. Finally remedied the noise by lightly greasing the shock bolts and ever-so-slightly loosening the top bolt (locknut) off full tightened position. The creak went away for good.

_________________
"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

Technically you are not supposed to lube DU bushings. They are a maintenance free item with a dry lube. If you are going through DU bushings, either go with the 3 piece Marzocchi ones or the Vivid ones or go to needle bearings.