Suspension Bearing Kits

[Super_mil]

The other site that offers beefier pivot point upgrades is http://www.tftunedshox.com/default.aspx

 

They also have a few hints and tips.

[DunMan]

Dunman- those are the bad guys we will be bringing in from September

Thanks Morewoodkid ,I think I would be able to hold out untill September.

Please post the info as soon as you are up and trading.

[Captain Slow]

 

Contact your local Bearing Man!!or BMG as they are now called!

Captain Slow2009-07-28 02:31:04

[_im_from_earth]

many of the bearings used in suspensions systems on linkage bikes can't be found at bearing man, and if you can find them the life will be considerably shorter. Due to te small size and the applicaton finding the correct bearing can be tough. Remember bearings are made to rotate, not oscilate at they do on suspension systems.

 

Enduro supply virtually EVERY MFG with the bearings used in their rear suspension systems, when you next take your's apart take a look at the brand on the seal, if its a Giant, Speci, Intense chances are its got Enduro bearings, and is using their "Max" type bearing which does away with the cage in order to fit a greater amount of balls and increase the load-carrying capacity.

 

Will certainly let you guys know when we are rolling

 

[Super_mil]

Oh, regarding the R80.00 bush, I called the local bearing supplier (after I had made the puchase) and trawled the net for the part number (08DU08), and was quoted ..... Wait for it... R3.49 Yes, R3.49, I paid R80!

 

Anyways, I have not picked up the bush yet so I'm not 100% sure that they are identical. I'll moan more when I do pick it up and they are the same.

[DunMan]

FYI: Specialized Epic bearing kit will be approx R395.00 SRP [including V.A.T and shipping]

Now that is a reasonable price. 

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[_im_from_earth]

yep, hope we can have some more reasonable prices with the favourable ZAR Only time will tell. Can't wait to get this stuff!!

[straatvark]

 

 

 

FYI: Specialized Epic bearing kit will be approx R395.00 SRP [including V.A.T and shipping]

Now that is a reasonable price. 

 [/quote']

 

I agree - if I take into account what I paid for two spherical bearings.

 

Morewoodkit, a request:

I could not found a list/pic of the parts/bearings etc that are included in kits like this when one order online. 

 

It would be nice if you can included picture of parts or list in your marketing material. If you are not a LBS that do this order every week, it helps with the confidence that you will get what you need. Especially if the kit are listed for a range of models.

 

EDIT: fixed the grammar

straatvark2009-07-28 02:52:35

[_im_from_earth]

^^ from the pricelist: "Specialized Epic 2003- 2006, 8 Enduro Max Bearings & 1 Tool, R395.00"

 

When we begin getting this stuff on te webshop [www.rushsports.co.za] I will try to put as much information as possible, and include pics where possible.

 

[Johan Bornman]

Having very recently overhauled a Spez Epic, I speak from experience. Get the bearing kit and pay the R1100 with a smile. I went the Bearing Man route. The bearings (in the end), cost R800-something. I spend endless hours on the phone and in the car. Sourcing obscure miniature bearings is difficult. Further, the codes on the bearings you take out have been scrambled. If you order according to the number, you get something different. The bastards don't want you to have it easy. In the end I resorted to dimensions and completely ignored the codes.

 

Further, once I had all the bearings and started replacing them, I discovered that the previous mechanic had lost one of the spacers and simply went ahead without it. I then had to have one made one on a lathe.

 

The R150-00 saved on alternative sourcing was not worth it, by a big margin.

 

The kit will come with all the spacers, all the bearings and hopefully a tip or two to avoid some pitfalls.

 

To replace the bearings require a puller and a set of drifts. These are not general tools. You can get by without the puller but you do need some drifts. A drift is a mock-bearing from solid steel made 0.1mm smaller than the original. It is used to "drift" (moer) the new bearing in. It has to be smaller otherwise it gets stuck in the press-fit.

 

Like accepting that disc brakes touch, scrape and squeal, accept that dual-suspension bikes are expensive to maintain.

 

 

Some tips:

 

1) Never, ever buy a Chinese or Indian bearing. What I say may not be good for Afro-Sino diplomatic relations, but I have never come across a good quality Chinese/Indian bearing. They may well exist, but I can't seem to find them.

 

2) Minuature bearings are expensive. If it costs much less than R80, it is probably rubbish

 

3) Caged bearings (not generally available in miniatures) are better than full compliment bearings. There has to be space between balls for dirt to park. If the bearings touch, the dirt is continually recycled and does bad things when you're not watching.

 

4) Don't use Z-seals or steel seals in suspension bearings. Only go for rubber seals.

 

5) Keep the seals clean. Dirt that settles on top tends to grind away at the seal.

 

6) Don't do like the guy on TV - ride through the water screaming "wheeeee" with your feet in the air. Water gets into the bearings.

 

7) Stay away from pressure washers.

 

8) Consider a hard-tail.

[Taps]

Where does one get a puller & drifts? (Also get an Epic so wait in anticipation of Enduro kits!)

[straatvark]

 

Where does one get a puller & drifts? (Also get an Epic so wait in anticipation of Enduro kits!)

 

I cant answer you, but to show the importance:

 

I can truly say that the thing I miss most is my workshop, tools and space. Because I'm not fully workshop-enabled here I asked a car workshop to press a stuck bearing from a suspension axle - the result was an damaged axle. I wish you could here me talk in Afrikaans when i picked up my parts! (the stuck bit of the bearing, well still stuck)

 

Thanks to Summit Cycles I got a replacement axle

 

JB, thanks for confirmation. I also though afterwords that I made a mistake and should have gone the kit route rather. Also that my hard tail is much cheaper/easier to maintain than the missus's Spez

 

 

[_im_from_earth]

From what I understand the Enduro kits come with the drifts needed to install the bearings. Will have to confirm once the stuff eventually arrives...

 

Johan, again, sorry we could not help you right away with your fork seals! SOON!

 

[Super_mil]

Quick question, does anyone know where I can get some sort of bearing fit adhesive (Loctite 641 or equivalent)?

 

 

 

Also, what's the standard time between bearing replacements? Obviously it is bearing, riding type/style and condition dependant but from what I read some guys were doing a full change every 6 - 8 months.

 

 

 

Hartails seem to make a lot of sense now, but they are not as fun to ride

[BenDL]

Interesting topic. Also interesting that JB is willing to pay R1100 for a OEM kit! But at least install it yourself, then you know all the bearing are done.

 

On my bike the bearing were all commonly available (6800, 6801, etc.)

You can get the specifications here (FSR Manuals)

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=downloads

 

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

Quick question' date=' does anyone know where I can get some sort of bearing fit adhesive (Loctite 641 or equivalent)?

Also, what's the standard time between bearing replacements? Obviously it is bearing, riding type/style and condition dependant but from what I read some guys were doing a full change every 6 - 8 months.

Hartails seem to make a lot of sense now, but they are not as fun to ride [/quote']

 

HDS Hydraulic Services.

7 Susan Street, Stydom Park.

 

Speak to the two chairmans, Ghunter or Roland. They stock every single Loctite version under the sun.

 

However.....why do you want to use an adhesive on there? The press-fit is good enough. You'll have even more trouble getting them out next time.