Using the purple linkage preload tool | 2021/2020 Orbea Occam suspension linkage service

[@stukaill]

Mine didn't come with the purple tool. I thought it was missing until I realised that it came as a little grey plug that was already screwed into one side of the linkage axle. Thought I'd share that in case anyone else doesn't have the purple tool and is wondering. Cheers again for the video, top work 👍

[@googlepixel9pro]

Just picked up my occam today and was wondering about the preload tool. Mine doesn't have the grey plug. Also whats the thread for in the linkage axle? Cheers

[@-ewen]

Excellent video and many thanks for putting it up. A small word of caution though regarding 'pre-loading' the main pivot bearings. The bearings installed are radial bearings and not designed for axial loading. The purple tool should only be used to remove play when installing the 2nd linkage. It is a very fine balance between removing end float on the shaft/linkage and causing loading on the bearing races. Any axial bearing loading will just cause excessive wear every time the linkage moves. (The balls are only 3mm after all) I have just replaced the pivot bearings as they were totally gone, the other 2 bearings in the linkage are perfectly ok. I can only assume that the pivot bearing was overloaded axially hence the level of wear that was evident. I have an Orbea Rise and this is not exhibiting any signs of wear and it is older and used much more than the Occam.

[@EirikNeerland]

Thanks for the tip. This must've happened with my Occam too. Felt way more smooth when I took the bearings off the bike.

[@-ewen]

Cheers Eirik. Orbea should rename the tool 'linkage end float removal tool', as using 'pre-load' means you must load the bearing in some way which is definitely not required. All the best from Scotland Ewen

[@tibor29]

@@-ewen Hi, I'm a total noob when it comes to servicing bikes and you seem to know your stuff so I'm hoping that you would be kind enough to help me. I have a 2022/2023 carbon occam which has developed creaking when pedaling under load. I've had this happen in the past and the way I fixed it was by tightening the "pre-load" bolt in my linkage. What I mean by this is that I didn't get the purple installation tool with my bike, but a bolt came already pre-installed inside the threaded side of the linkage axle, in the same exact spot that the purple tool goes into in this video at 10:08. The bolt has 4nm written on it. In the past when my occam was creaking this bolt always turned out to be loose and tightening it to 4nm always fixed the issue. But now the bolt is tightened to 4nm and the bike is still creaking. And after watching this video I'm really confused because if I now understand it correctly, this bolt is not structural and is only needed as a temporary installation tool during the linkage installation process? Or is the 2022 occam different in this regard in that it requires this additional bolt to be installed and tightened down at all times? But the linkage on my bike looks exactly the same as the one on the video as far as I can tell. So is the bolt not even needed when riding the bike? So how come tightening this bolt fixed my creaking issues in the past? Does this point to my linkage not being tightened down correctly, most likely due to the "pre load" bolt not having been tightened down enough when the other bolt (seen at 11:18 in the video) was initially installed in factory? I assume my best bet is to follow this video along to disassemble and then re-assemble everything to see if that fixes the creaking. But I'm now really confused about that extra bolt and whether it's needed permanently (and always torqued to 4nm) or if it's just a different version of the pre-load installation tool and is only needed during installation. I'd be really grateful for any help.

[@-ewen]

Solving a creak can be a difficult one. Dose it still creak if you lock out your suspension? Sometimes the only way is to change out all the bearings. My son's Occam was creaking and it was the crank bearings. Fairly easy job to do though you do need a special tool. One of the other issues with MTB suspension bearings is that they rotate only a few degrees, so the ball bearings never rotate really and only wear on the one spot. If installing bearings I carefully pick out the plastic covers and fill the bearing with a thick grease. More often than not the 'new' bearings have next to no grease in them. You then wash your bike and water enters the bearings resulting in corrosion which can lead to creaking suspension.

[@tibor29]

@@-ewen Hi, thanks a lot for the reply. I managed to fix the creak today. As I suspected, it was the linkage, the same exact spot that was causing creaking in the past. But this time, just tightening the preload bolt didn't do the trick. I had to take out both the linkage preload bolt as well as the right linkage pinch bolt completely and then put them back in and tighten them to the correct spec in the correct order according to the Orbea blue paper. That did the trick. Oh, and I also found out that Orbea changed the design of the linkage in 2022. One of the changes is the addition of a preload bolt, which goes into the threaded hole that's used for the preload tool on older models. That's why I was so confused by this video, since the video features an older model of the occam which doesn't have a permanent bolt there and only used that threaded hole during the linkage installation process. But on my 2022 occam that hole is now occupied permanently by something called a preload bolt.

[@יוסירוזנפלד-ס2ו]

The clearest and most helpful video I have seen to date. you are excellent. I did exactly as you explained. Thanks

[@stukaill]

I literally just got my bike up on the stand today and wasn't sure how to take the chain stays apart. This video is great and tells me everything I need to know! Cheers!

[@MTBSuomi]

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Stuart! Really rewarding to hear that the video actually helped someone 😇

[@DocKandTBW]

@@MTBSuomi I'm here for the purple tool! had no idea what it was so you're already helping me too 👍

[@SuperCaryG]

Thanks. Great video. I have a Rise so the linkage is exactly the same. This helps a lot with doing a service on my frame bearings and just giving everything a clean.

[@joemorreale9204]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thank you for such a thorough breakdown.

[@jime2504]

This is amazing so clear and helpful - now I feel confident I could service my Occam thanks!

[@zixxerlev]

10:05 a lot of owners didn't receive the linkage tool with their bike. Could a person use a clamp to get the proper preload on those bearings?

[@frankmarcinkowski1484]

Question - in the Blue Paper here it shows to preassemble the linkage assembly spindle from the left/non-threaded side, and complete assembly on the right/threaded side. So the opposite of what you showed. Maybe they changed it recently?

[@blooptastic]

I've tried both ways - I don't think it matters. Of course the threaded side needs to be opposite of the preassembled side in order to achieve proper preload.

[@olivierhacking]

Just a tip, don't forget the green loctite on the spindles of the linkage axle! Otherwise they will loosen over time, creating play.

[@blooptastic]

Oddly enough, Orbea apparently didn't get their own memo - mine was completely dry, zero retaining compound or even grease! Didn't have any problems with play, but put some 638 when I reassembled for good measure. Hope I'll be able to get it apart ever again...

[@jarosawtomaszewski4733]

Thanks for all your Occam videos. I have a similar bike and for some time my Occam has started creaking from the area of the main linkage. Despite the bearings being serviced, the situation did not improve. Have you had a similar problem? Bye!

[@jayberriman6284]

The Collet wedge (expander cone which holds the bottom pivot inside the bottom bracket) is really tight in there on mine - once the expander bolt has been removed - any ideas for removing a tight expander collar (cllet wedge)?

[@bartvanbrabant8]

@12.05 you need to put threatlock on that bolt to... It can come loose and give play on the suspension setup. 👍

[@siwalder1618]

Thanks for this, and your other Occam vids for that matter, I've used them all. Sadly one side of my linkage axel was absolutely completely seized to the linkage along with the bearing so I've had to drop a load of money on a new linkage. I'm tempted to put some gripper compound on the star shaped ends of the axel 🤔. I guess normal grease would invite play.

[@kubaruszkowski8015]

Thanks for that video, it's very helpfule. But is there a way to put it all back without purple linkage preload tool?

[@stukaill]

When you come to replace those bearings, I'd love to see a video showing how you get them out. The linkage alone has 6 bearings, 4 of which are blind so will need pulling somehow 🤔

[@MTBSuomi]

Yeah, there are special puller kits, but as long as I'd know that I'll be replacing those blind bearings, I guess I'd try to pull them out (or even knock them out) together which shouldn't be an issue. Need to look into this when the time comes. And then I'll definitely make a video about it :)

[@olivierhacking]

@@MTBSuomi Hope to see it too! I just did this service after getting my bike in January. And the main pivot bearings are already totally dry :( So replacement time for me...

[@Nilla_S]

@@MTBSuomi Yes please, make that video. With and without special tools?

[@ericrollins4607]

When you say blind do you mean back to back?

[@venkiemtb6791]

Thank you very much for the wonderful explaination!

[@oscargarton5475]

Have you managed to remove the frame bearing to the none drive side seat stay / chain stay linkage. The drive side come out no problem but the none drive side has a spring clip which seems to be near impossible to remove.

[@MTBSuomi]

I had the same issue and no, I didn't manage to get it out, yet and I don't really feel like trying unless it's absolutely necessary because as you say, it's nearly impossible to remove. I also asked in my local Orbea shop and they didn't know how to remove it either...

[@oscargarton5475]

@@MTBSuomi I’ve emailed Orbea about it earlier today, see what comes of it

[@davidh585]

@@oscargarton5475 be keen to know what they say

[@suspensioncheck]

Circlip is very similar with Rockshox circlip when you remove the air shaft. With one hand you hold one end into place and with another hand use a small flat screwdriver to pry it out towards the interior kinda. It's more strange to put it back to be honest.

[@jangolcak9893]

Thanks for the video, I have the preload tool but I'm missing the preload washer.Can you help me, what size is the preload washer and what is the material. Thanks.

[@iKUDOSgaming]

Hi. What chain guide you have? A link from where to buy it?

[@Jon-hk9fs]

Great video. So easy to follow along

[@NordicTuga]

Do you know what type/nr of bearings occam 2020 has in frame linkages?

[@kwic73]

Could you tell me the thread size and length of the preload tool? Mine never came with one and I can’t seem to find one at any shop or online, so I decided in going to make my own. Thanks

[@MikkoZzpr0]

Did you ever sort this out? I'm interested cause I have the same exact plan of doing the preload tool myself.

[@6295607]

I don't have the tool - what is my alternative?

[@dylanhescott5973]

Really helpful, thanks!

[@googlepixel9pro]

Great video, will be doing this to mine after the winter season. My bike has recently started making a clicking noise whilst pedalling. Seems to be coming from the bottom bracket, but not sure. I've checked it over and all is good, spins freely and no play. Do you have any idea what it could be? Thanks

[@MTBSuomi]

Very hard to say without seeing and hearing it, but it might very likely some of the pivot bearings. It might be enough to clean it and put some grease on top, but you might also need to change some bearings. Give it an inspection and you'll see :)

[@googlepixel9pro]

@@MTBSuomi will do, hopefully that will sort it out. Thanks

[@r6-stu249]

I know you commented a few months ago but did you find the problem? Mine was clicking the other day and it was the main chain ring. This wasn't torqued from factory so a little strip down of the crank, clean, re grease and torqued up and all is fine.

[@googlepixel9pro]

@@r6-stu249 it turned out to be a couple of things in the end. It was my drive side pedal and a couple of pivot bearings. Not enough grease from the factor

[@nevenusa]

Thanks a lot for posting this video. Do you need to apply LOCTITE 638 at 9:08 and 9:58?

[@MTBSuomi]

Yes, officially you should put Loctite 638 on the linkage axle and Loctite series 200 on the 5mm bolt :)

[@nevenhaltmayer3561]

@@MTBSuomi do you recommend following that recommendation? I don’t have experience with anything else other than blue LOCTITE. Based on description that 638 stuff is pretty strong so future removal may be an issue.

[@MTBSuomi]

@@nevenhaltmayer3561 I did use the 638 eventually, although not showed on the video. And it was pretty hard to remove the axle afterwards during following service, but not impossible, so I'd still use it. Better have it all tight and secure and struggle little bit with dissasembly than damaging something because it comes loose. Obviously you could use the blue medium Loctite, I think it'd work just as well. In that case keep an eye on it and check for any play before every ride to make sure it's not coming loose.

[@andreaskohn1560]

Very good, thanks.

[@ericrollins4607]

Sorry if you've mentioned it, but how often do you do this service? I know it's conditions/riding dependent, but ball park?

[@MTBSuomi]

Personally, I try to keep my bikes as fresh as possible, so I do this kind of full service about every 50hrs of use or earlier if some creaking or other issues occur.

[@ericrollins4607]

@@MTBSuomi Did that little preload tool come with the bike or did you have to track one down?

[@MTBSuomi]

@@ericrollins4607 For me it came with the bike but I've heard that some people had troubles getting it. Try to contact your local dealer to get it if it didn't come with the bike.

[@JH-ke6el]

After 1 month I have creaks in the linkage and it's not the seatpost. 2022 Occam H20 LT. I'm assuming this is the only option, tearing it down, more grease and loctite and torquing it back down? Anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance.

[@MTBSuomi]

You shouldn't need to tear it down after a month. Check if all linkage bolts are tightened to correct torque and there's no play in the system. Also check if the thru axle is tight and often cassette can be loose, so check that, too. Hope it helps :)

[@pulsarpulsar1919]

Super vidéo ! Merci

[@1994ls1]

If the preload on the linkage is too tight (purple tool), how do you back it off (untighten)?

[@MTBSuomi]

In that case you'd need to tap the linkage out from the axle again (at least a little).

[@1994ls1]

@@MTBSuomi thanks! Creaking noise on my linkage is gone.

[@JaroslavJerryHyll]

Wau man. amazing to watch. could you come and do my m10

[@kbajaj7553]

Great video and thank you! Helped me get rid of a mystery creek!! I had one issue while putting everything back together. The non drive side axle nut insert where the chain stay and seat stay come together, this nut doesn’t go in all the way. The Occam blue paper exploded diagram shows a washer and a circlip that go in before this axle but pops back into place. The video doesn’t show this part. Before I took my bike apart, I only had the circlip and the axle nut but no washer sitting in front of the bearing. Now the axle nut doesn’t go in all the way. Any suggestions?

[@kbajaj7553]

I should add that I have a 2021 Occam - Hydro/Alloy frame

[@MTBSuomi]

@@kbajaj7553 Hi, First of all, I'm glad to hear you're working on your Occam yourself! There's no spacer in between the axle nut and seat stay. The thing in the blue paper is the rubber o-ring, which then sits inside the seat/chain stay. If the axle nut doesn't go all the way in, I can only think of one thing and that's the orientation of the nut itself. It has the little groove, which needs to line up with the tooth on the inside of the chainstay (or seatstay, not 100% sure now). Otherwise there's no magic in it, it just slides in. Good luck!

[@kbajaj7553]

Your video makes it easy to work on it. Looking forward to more of these. You’re right its an o-ring but there is also a circlip, take a look at item 3.3 on page 5 of the blue paper: www.orbea.com/downloads/products/OCCAM_2020-2021_BLUEPAPER_EN.pdf Also, I did try to line up the groove and still it wouldn’t go all the way in, I am thinking I may have bent the axle nut while man handling it so I ordered a new one from Orbea. Let’s see if that helps. Any opinion on that circlip though - where should it go?

[@MTBSuomi]

@@kbajaj7553 Yep, I do know about the circlip, but I can't imagine you took it out (if you did, let me know how!). That's just holding the bearing in and doesn't need to be replaced unless you're replacing the bearing. So it goes on top of the bearing, outside of the seatstay. Does the seatstay and chainstay go all the way together without the axle nut?

[@kbajaj7553]

For me it just fell out when I took the axle nut out :(. I was incorrectly trying to install the circlip between the axle nut and chainstay. It’s so hard to do anything with that as it doesn’t have any eyelets to help guide it.

[@googlepixel9pro]

Does anyone else's rear brake cable catch the spokes as the wheel rotates? Ive pushed it back into the frame but it still catches.

[@MTBSuomi]

Do you have it zip tied to that black cover on the chainstay? There should be a hole in it made for the zip tie

[@davidh585]

Take the caliper off, rotate it once away from the frame and reinstall.

[@googlepixel9pro]

@@MTBSuomihi yes done that now along with rotating the caliper. No rubbing anymore! Cheers

[@siwalder1618]

Mine did but only subtly, I held it back with a zip tie for a few weeks and now having snipped the zip tie off it doesn't catch anymore.

[@oscargarton5475]

Brill I know why the purple top is for now

[@mtblukedavis]

I noticed play on my Orbea Rise, turns out the pinch bolts don't actually pinch the axle. Absolutely stupid design by Orbea🤯😵‍💫