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Author Topic: 856 swingarm installation help.  (Read 4467 times)

adm

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856 swingarm installation help.
« on: February 10, 2009, 12:33:28 pm »
Hey Guys,

so i'm replacing a cracked rear swingarm on my 856 but the local shop is telling me the horizontal sway i'm experiencing in the rear is not due entirely to the crack but also to worn bushings and pivots.
they are in turn reluctant to advise installation of the replacement swingarm without also replacing the other worn elements (bushings/pivots/???)

having never gotten that deep into this particular section of these bikes myself i am sort of left with an inadequate understanding of the issue here... (give me some cred, i am learning)

they have told me the parts are basically unobtainable, and that they could possibly be machined custom to fit...
does anyone know which "parts" i would need specifically? or if theres any means left of aqcuiring said "parts"
...as i said, i'm admittedly at a lack for knowledge on the subject myself.

i'm sure some of you have had similar issues - what has been the best course of action in situations like this?

any advice what-so-ever is greatly appreciated! thanks!
-adm

orange

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2009, 01:56:20 pm »
'Colin' can advise you on the parts you'd need - but they are right - they are very hard to come by, but not quite unobtainable. I'm sure some passed through here not so long ago. It's bushes you need - like plastic cups that sit inside the pivot and provide the bearing surface. They get worn in the end, especially if not cleaned and greased once in a while.

An alternative is to go down the route of a sealed bearing conversion - see here:

http://idriders.com/proflex/smf/index.php?topic=2927.0

If you're not an engineery-type (as I'm not either!), you'll need to find somebody who can do this for you. Good luck.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2009, 02:00:50 pm by orange »
'95 855
'91 Diamond Back Topanga (project: 1st MTB)
'06 Surly Karate Monkey 29er
Custom built Edelbikes 29er #1104

Colin

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2009, 07:47:01 am »
Hi adm (wot's your real name?)
The Kit of parts that you need is:
RK002   856 World Cup Pivot
possibly available from Iron Horse in the US, see stickie at top of forum.
Here's a piccie of the kit and the parts that are included:


The kit is parts 3, 4 & 5 in the below diagram, plus the parts for the stay-arm pivots in the rear.
http://idriders.com/proflex/resources/97_spc657_pivot.pdf
If the Pivot Axles (part #2) are worn, then you are a bit Knackered and will need to get new one's machined or do a sealed bearing conversion as elsewhere described.

If you can get a kit, then you don't need a LBS to fit it, or the swing-arm, just read the tech sheets available on here and with the kit: http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10284/856_RK002_rebuild.pdf
and anyone can do it, plus you'll gain experience and have a great "Zen-like" experience!
IMHO LBS's are generally staffed by pre-pubescent Orang-Utangs and you will do a better job yourself! <GRIN>

Col.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2009, 08:28:16 am by Colin »
2001 OzM
2000 OzX
1999 x500
1999 900 Frame
1998 4000se
1998 4000
1997 957 Frame
1997 857 Frames
1997 XP-X (856)
1995/6 x55/x56 Frame
1992 962 Frame
1991 Marin Pine Mountain with a Flex Stem

The Mont

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2009, 12:02:43 pm »
adm

Has your swingarm been stripped from the frame?
If your pivot bearings have come loose then they could also damage the frame, so I would suggest you check this first.
I managed to find a new pair of these pivot bearings for mine last year and there was one bearing on E-bay a few weeks ago with some other bits, so there are some knocking about but they are very hard to find.


Monty
Monty

Willie_B

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orange

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2009, 12:47:35 pm »
gold dust, I tell ya!
'95 855
'91 Diamond Back Topanga (project: 1st MTB)
'06 Surly Karate Monkey 29er
Custom built Edelbikes 29er #1104

adm

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2009, 08:25:51 am »
beautiful. thanks for the help guys. seriously indispensable advice.

with the combination of those bushings and a solid replacement swing arm my rear assembly is all set... tight & sound.

i'll post some shots of the 856 shortly  ;D

btw, could anyone refer a decent US based online bike shop? there's performance cycle... then...?
i'm having a hard time finding a variety of accessories, x-country tires (1.8, 1.9) handlebar grips, etc.
it seems as though a lot of the decent stuff always ends up being listed by European merchants... wot gives?

-Adam
-adm

orange

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2009, 12:40:56 pm »
http://www.nashbar.com/

these guys always seem to come up in this sort of conversation - no idea how good they are.
'95 855
'91 Diamond Back Topanga (project: 1st MTB)
'06 Surly Karate Monkey 29er
Custom built Edelbikes 29er #1104

dcarr1971

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Re: 856 swingarm installation help.
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2009, 12:58:23 pm »
http://www.nashbar.com/

these guys always seem to come up in this sort of conversation - no idea how good they are.


I bought stuff from them 4 or 5 years ago.  Service and prices were good at the time, but it's been a while.
1998 k2 Proflex 3000
1996 Proflex Attack
1994 Proflex 754