Suspension Knock?

[TG Bob]

Well, I bought this 2012 Tri-Glide with 14,000 miles on it. Since then I have noticed when traveling over rough roads, expansion joints, etc. I get a very noticeable knock in the rear suspension. I even feel it in the floor boards. On regular roads it is fine but on those sharp, large bumps I get (and hear) the knock. Normal? Does not seem right to me. The roads around the dealership are smooth so I did not notice this on a test ride.

If the suspension is bottoming out then it is hitting very hard. The previous owner had a rear lift kit installed and he had it removed on trade-in to install on his new trike. Did the service guys screw up something when doing the swap? I have looked it over and cannot see anything loose or missing. I weigh 250 lbs with gear on and ready to ride and I run 30 PSI in the shocks, 36 PSI in front tire and 24 PSI in rear tires. Thoughts or ideas? Thanks.

 

[hogcowboy]

Are you sure it's coming from the rear and not a loose neck and bearings up front?

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Hope it is under warranty. One TT member found this.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/32119-Possible-suspension-problem

 

[screwball]

Hello neighbor, we were just in your neighborhood a couple of weeks ago, had to have a Sonic Coney Dog.

A knock could be the suspension bottoming out, Try running the air shocks up to 40 then 50psi and see if that helps. The lift kit is just an extension of the shock mount, rattle around there with a rubber mallet. I developed a nasty rattle when I changed mufflers. The rubber bushing for the top mount worked itself out of the bracket, and if I hit a bump bad enough the metal arm would bang against the frame. Jack the rear end up and start shaking, banging, and jiggling

Good Luck

 

[rhino 2]

Are you sure the knock is in the rear?.... Just in case check the two 9 1/16 bolts that hold the steering stabilizer to the front cylinder head.. I had them come loose and when i hit a hard bump it sounded like the shocks bottoming out. If their ok then i would try 40/45 psi in the shocks...:Shrug:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

YES.....the dreaded front stabilizer bracket could be.......

 

[Recycledteen]

Is the trike sitting level? I had a knock in mine and further investigation I found the the body was not correctly positioned on the mounts. I had a left side sag and all I had to do was loosen the rear frame bolts (4 on each side) and reset the rear to level. That is after taking the body off so I could see the front frame and rear frame to be able to get them level. There are several threads on here about it. I haven't had the knock since doing it last week and I am wondering if it was flexing just enough to touch when I hit a bump and the body acted as a sound enhancer causing me to hear a big clunk!

 

[rhino 2]

YES.....the dreaded front stabilizer bracket could be....... :Shrug:

If thats his problem... # 3 would be the bad guys.... Also it wouldn't hurt for anyone with a Tri-Glide to check them ...Especially 2010/2011 model years...:Shrug:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

If thats his problem... # 3 would be the bad guys.... Also it wouldn't hurt for anyone with a Tri-Glide to check them ...Especially 2010/2011 model years...

Stop breaking those bolts.........

 

[Peter A.]

Knock/rattle

My 2010 knock/rattle after hitting a hard bump turned out to be the 'panhard' rod - replaced on warranty.

 

[trikermutha]

If its the rear check your panhard rod ends..Those are known to fail too..

 

[HDB0B]

Are you sure it is not the compensator "clunk" ..... ON / OFF gas get a "clunk". It can also happen when hitting a bump.

 

[TG Bob]

Thanks for input

I went out and checked some of the things suggested. The body is straight, the muffler supports are fine, the front engine stabilizer link bolts are tight, the steering head bearings check good and the panhard rod is fine. I even checked to make sure it was oriented correctly so it wouldn't hit the reverse gear. Went for another ride and it certainly feels like a suspension bottoming out without any kind of rubber snubbers in place as it makes a loud knock when it happens. I'm ready to raise it and pull the wheels and start beating on things with a mallet. Thanks for all the ideas. Once I figure it out I will post what I found.

 

[trikermutha]

Do you have the rear shocks leaking air?? did you pressure checked for the shocks?