oilite bushings for rear suspension?

[ishaw]

Whilst looking around for ideas on a diy bearing upgrade kit for my sts, I came across oilite bushings and wondered if these might be an option for those of us who have older rear suspension that we want to keep on the road. They seem to be metal rather than plastic so should be hard wearing, and are impregnated with oil.

I was about to pull the trigger on a betd bearing kit, but I've been undecided as since acquiring an lts with one recently, I can't get sway from the fact they are significantly heavier, so perhaps these bushings are the answer?

Anyone got any thoughts/experience of them? I assume there was a reason that plastic ones were used, so curious as to whether these would be a good idea/alternative?

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

Re: oilite busgings for rear suspension?

It's what Amp Used.

And plenty of others.

I had an LTS, and IF you can get them to fit, and get a proper diameter shaft for the bearings, I can't see they'd be any worse.

 

[ishaw]

Re: oilite busgings for rear suspension?

Interesting, didn't realise that. I was hoping to find some in the same size as the originals, so it could be worth doing so. I was all set on a bearing upgrade until now. Bearings will no doubt be better but is it worth £165?

 

[WD Pro]

We used them at work. They are good and if they aren't worn to a point where they are unsuitable, you can simmer them in clean oil to clear the muck out of them and leave them in there to cool and draw fresh oil in

WD

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re:

Only place I know/noticed uses them are the Onza HO pedals. The bushings can take some stick. The axle, especially To one. Thinks they are a poor bad idea. The bushing is harder I assue and the axle gets worn away.

I have a feeling my new Ritchey pedals use it as a similar idea.
?

...I dunno as I don't know the suspension setup ;-)

But what's the worst that can happen

 

[ishaw]

Re: Re:

...I dunno as I don't know the suspension setup ;-)

But what's the worst that can happen

I ruin a perfectly good STS? Doubtful, just hoping to get some form of approval that this is not a daft idea. Still favour the practicalities of the bearings, but not the weight - what to do, what to do?

 

[WD Pro]

I don't know what dimensional constraints you have, but bushes will fit in smaller gaps than bearings (potentially eliminating the need to enlarge bores etc).

WD

 

[ishaw]

I don't know what dimensional constraints you have, but bushes will fit in smaller gaps than bearings (potentially eliminating the need to enlarge bores etc).

WD

Well, the bearing upgrade kit uses some rather hefty bolts with bearing surfaces on them to fit where the tube/axle for the bushing would have been, which is where the extra weight comes in. I addition to that, there are also 'spacers' to fill the axle void and provide a hole for the bolts to slot into. There is also a sleeve that reduces the size of one hole in the linkage so it can take a bearing. Not sure if this is done to prevent wear to the linkage, or due to bearings not being available in the hole size?

I think I can improve the BETD kit design in theory by using alloy bolts with a bearing surface sleeve, though not sure if that would be strong enough, as these bolts act as the pivot points for the bearings, though all bolted together to in effect create an axle.

 

[B3]

Re:

Oilite bushes tend to be quite thick in cross section and when machined down to the thickness most bike bushes are fail quickly. AMP used DU bushes something very different. Replacement composite bushes can be sourced from Igus http://www.igus.com/iglide

 

[ishaw]

Thanks for the info. I came across the iglide range in my search. Have you used these before? Interested if you have and which range/version you used.