Squeaking Brompton

[quixoticgeek]

My Brompton squeaks. A lot. It happens even when I'm not pedalling, so I don't think it's drive train. Rotating the suspension block makes a difference, but after a mile or 2 of quiet riding, it starts again. I've tried tightening the bolt that holds the block in place, but can only get it so tight before it starts to rotate the outter cup and won't tighten any more.

Is there a technique to this? Am I missing something? Is there any other part that might be squeaking?

J

[Jurek]

Have you tried applying some furniture polish to the contact surface(s) of the suspension block?

[rogerzilla]

The bolt inside the rubber block is supposed to be kept greased.  Eventually the grease washes out.

[jsabine]

What, just  a bit of grease on the bolt to lubricate its mating with the block?

That sounds easy enough, and definitely worth a try to evict my Brompton's mouse.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Yes, grease the bolt shaft.

[quixoticgeek]

Yes, grease the bolt shaft.

Currently not got any grease, would anti seize do the trick?

J

[LittleWheelsandBig]

I've never tried using anti-seize on a mobile interface.

Most grease is oil mixed into 'soap'. The soap keeps the oil in place. Try putting some oil on the bolt shaft. It'll work for a while, at least.

[Zipperhead]

I had a squeak from my Brompton, coming from somewhere in the rear suspension block area. Every time the rear triangle moved up or down a little it sounded like I had a mouse trapped in there. Turning the suspension block sometimes cured it for a short while.

I tried removing the block and liberally coating the bolt with grease, still noisy.

I tried removing the seat post clamp and greasing everything including the contact points for the rear triangle. Still noisy.

I tried swearing at it. Still noisy.

Eventually I tried (carefully) squirting some silicone spray on the block and the seat post clamp. Still noisy.

Just before I tried installing my cat on the rack to find the mouse it stopped. I suspect that it took a little while for the silicone to get to whatever was making the noise.

[Biggsy]

Anti-seize is basically grease with metal flakes.  It'll work, if you don't mind the mess. 

[Tewdric]

Remove mouse from seat tube.

Then grease the rubber suspension block bolt!