Stripped/Cross-Threaded Suspension Linkage

I picked my bike up from the dealer last week and rode away with my suspension set to "Flat". I knew it was on flat and wanted to try it out before changing it to "progressive". After a few days I took my bike back to the shop to have my suspension changed over to progressive. When the mechanics tried to unscrew the suspension linkage to extend it they noticed the linkage rod was stripped and or cross threaded from the factory. They took a picture or two and sent a warranty claim off to Ducati.

The part is on order and should be fixed within a week or so. I just wanted to share the info with you fellas in case you run into the same issue.

Theefiveoh said:

I picked my bike up from the dealer last week and rode away with my suspension set to "Flat". I knew it was on flat and wanted to try it out before changing it to "progressive". After a few days I took my bike back to the shop to have my suspension changed over to progressive. When the mechanics tried to unscrew the suspension linkage to extend it they noticed the linkage rod was stripped and or cross threaded from the factory. They took a picture or two and sent a warranty claim off to Ducati.

The part is on order and should be fixed within a week or so. I just wanted to share the info with you fellas in case you run into the same issue.

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Thanks for the info.

Well, are they SURE it is actually "stripped" and not just cutting off some of the alloy from the end of the link tube? I did notice one bike that produced a few light crumbs when running the rod end out, but it was from the pinch bolt clamped so tight that it slightly deformed the tube right at the bolt area. It cleans itself up as the rod end is screwed out to the P length. Recommend some lube on the threads so it doesn't gall the threads though. I don't see it as a big deal, but Ducati MAY apply some lube at assembly and/or send out a tech bulletin to apply lube and do not tighten the .... out of the pinch bolt.

If your dealer didn't lube the threads, then it likely galled the threads in the tube, so it may be difficult to screw the rod in/out. I can't say for SURE without seeing it, but the situation isn't "dangerous" IMO, as there is lots of thread overlap between the rod-end threads and the tube.

I'm not sure what they did when trying to unscrew it but they said it was to the point they couldnt unscrew it. They took pictures of the gnarled up threads to send off to ducati

Theefiveoh said:

I'm not sure what they did when trying to unscrew it but they said it was to the point they couldnt unscrew it. They took pictures of the gnarled up threads to send off to ducati

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Hate to say this.. but I think your dealer F#45'd it themselves.
Sounds like they didn't loosen the pinch bolt enough or forgot to..
Once in position, there is a "locking" groove in the rod, so it's not like it can strip under load.

littlejohn said:

Hate to say this.. but I think your dealer F#45'd it themselves.
Sounds like they didn't loosen the pinch bolt enough or forgot to..
Once in position, there is a "locking" groove in the rod, so it's not like it can strip under load.

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My thoughts exactly.

Guys this is another known issue that's been reported to Ducati.

This one hit home for me before I left the dealer.

Same problem on my bike. The pinch bolt was properly removed. The rod end turned for about 5-6 turns and then it started damaging the threads.

BlindApex said:

Same problem on my bike. The pinch bolt was properly removed. The rod end turned for about 5-6 turns and then it started damaging the threads.

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I put WD40 on first then worked it out back and forth ,
if you just keep turning it in one direction it will bind up
and that = game over

I'm beginning to think that the outer sleeve isn't expanding once the pinch bolt is removed.
I wonder if it is necessary to prise the outer sleeve a little once the pinch bolt is removed, before you start winding the inner bolt out..

Not sure. The replacement part came in from Ducati a few weeks ago and that one was stripped too! Im still waiting for a second linkage rod that isnt stripped so they can finally see how this bike rides in Progressive instead of Flat.

As an update to this thread as well, the linkage rod that was replaced in August broke in half today during a ride. It sheared off right at the pinch bolt, the thinnest part of the rod. Reference the thread "Sheared Suspension Linkage Rod" for the full story.