Bearings on a Blur

Before I start – I’m horrible with bike maintenance. I fill the tires, check the fork and shock, lube the chain, can once in a while manage to adjust the derailleur and that is about it. Something to work on.

I have a 2003 Blur. For a while it has been making a creaking (low key, not super loud or anything) while pedaling it uphill, didn’t notice it on the dh. Took it into multiple shops (small town, no SC dealer) thinking it was the bottom bracket or something (which I know nothing about). Finally found a shop with some decent mechanics that said - you idiot, Blurs run through bearings and about all your bolts were about to fall out of your lower linkage.- or something like that.. So he worked on it, it was all quiet and lovely, and now about 10 rides later it is doing it again. After looking around a bit it seems SC has upgraded the bearings and hell when you click on Maintenance on the SC page for the blur all you get is a page for Blur Bearing Overhaul, so obviously I’m not the only one and maybe I’m lucky they’ve lasted this long…

Finally my question - should I have a shop (new one that deals SC) replace all 8 (could also just do lower 4 but it is only $20 cheaper) or is there some kind of maintenance that I could be doing (cleaning and lubing them, how?) after I ride?

Thanks
K

Do you know what the mechanic did?

if it is a loosening problem, maybe try some locktite on the bolts.

also, make sure to use a really heavy, sticky grease on the hardware/bearings (i like rock n roll superweb.)

keep in mind: this is general suspension advice, as i've never worked on a blur.

The Blur is notorious for needed periodic bearing maint. Usually taking them apart, cleaning and re-greasing, and them re-assembly is all that is needed. There may be something with the older bearings that has been fixed, but I'm not sure.

Everyone I know, except me, with SC VPP bikes have to service the pivot points more frequently than other bikes.

I have about 1000 miles or so on my 2005 Blur and have just service the bearings for the first time. Never had issues...

I do use loctite on all bolts that should never come loose...

i also have an '03 blur and replaced all my bearings last year...rides like new again. i also re-grease and locktite 'em every spring...

If you're having a problem with bearings that wear out or need to be repacked too frequently check out what these guys are up to -

http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.as...e&bc=SB&b=clsb

They have a full line of the most common bearings used in bikes and can custom make oddballs for you for a pretty negligible additional cost.