How I Saved a GT Force Frame

Bought this 2021 GT Force off of marketplace for a negotiated 875 dollars! A great deal, so I thought…

Seller had just put a brand new fox 36 performance on, and new magic wheels, stating the bike was ready to ride with no issues whatsoever. However after a wash and a few test rides around my neighborhood, a scary sound arose.

After checking the usual suspects (bottom bracket, seat, pedals, shock, main pivot) I found a severely damaged bolt and thread on the right hand side chain-stay pivot; while trying to get myself more wiggle room disassembling main pivot. The bolt came loose after just a couple turns and boom, heart drop

Thought the frame was toast but I was over reacting, seeing that worst case ace I could have a bolt machined just a little longer, drill out frame threads, and use a nut. However that certainly wouldn’t be ideal, and being a 17 year old incoming college student, I promised myself I wouldn’t make this bike another project!! It was just a decent bike for cheap, to get me through college riding and beyond.

Luckily I love working with my hands, and have many tools available to me, as I inherited that trait from my father! I was able to fix the bike, torque even the damaged bolt to spec (in the undamaged hole that had good threads for it) and I’ll pretend as if it never happened! Click sound disappeared and bike performed very admirably on my intense test ride at Rocky point!

Creak* not “cream” on picture 3 😂