rear swingarm play

[pedro]

My evo 4.0 has developed a slight play in the swingarm.  Is a small amount of play normal? I have ridden this bike for less than a year, in light trail/crosscountry use.

[IFO]

sounds like the pivot needs tightening...

theres a special tool, but some of the guys here have made em or used something else...

your LBS might be able to do it aswell...

good luck...

either way its not much to fix it...

[pedro]

 ???I have read about this "special tool" before, and aked someone to send a picture of it, to see what it is about, never got the picture. LBS is not an option for me because no one carries K2's and don't beleive any has more experience than me with evos. I need to either buy this special tool or make one myself. If you can be of any guidance as to where I can get the tool, and the tightening process for the pivot, that would be of great help for the continuing health and enjoyment of my evo.

[slowride]

There's some info here:

http://www.k2bike.com/tech_forum/pdfs/00_BikeAddendum.pdf

It's described as a "white plastic tool that comes with the bike." Mine didn't come with one! Maybe K2 can supply some? I'd also be interested in the process for adjusting the pivot, and where to get/how to make this tool...

[IFO]

hmmmm, i dont have nor have i adjusted teh pivot on the EVO personally... my 98 "evo" framed Proflex 4000, had the bushing style pivot with a simple cross bolt...

im sure someone here will help u out, theres tons of guys who run th bearing driven EVO....

just give it a day or 2....

[dan_irby]

Pedro, The EVO pivot is comprised of a hollow axel that turns on needle bearings that are fitted into the frame bore. The bearing are sealed by means of two flat plastic washers that press on a neoprene o-ring.
The thing is really simple. After a while, you can get a bit of side-to-side movement in the pivot. No cause for worry...you just use a pivot adjustment tool to gently squeeze the flat washers back against the frame. The pinch bolts on the swing arm are employed to clamp onto the pivot axel and hold the thrust washers up against the frame bore surface. I ahve a pivot tool in my hand as I write this. You could easily make on by buying two washers with a diameter of 2.0 cm  (or 13/16").  Also obtain a 6 or 7 inches of 1/8 to 1/4 inch threaded rod along with 2 bolts. If you have the correct sized washers, the homemade tool is inserted into the pivot axel (make sure you loosen the swing arm pinch bolts first!!!!), a washer is placed on both sides of the pivot, and then the bolts are gentle tightened until the correct compression is obtained (10 in-lbs) Then the swing arm pinch bolts are tightened to keep everything in place. If I were you, I'd order a spare pivot kit (part # RK012) in you plan on keeping you bike for years. K2 is no longer manufacturing the EVO frame. Good luck with your bike. Dan Irby.

[Dugo]

Hey Guys,

What type of Pivot assembly is used on the 98 K2/Proflex Animals???  I looked at mine and it looks like it's just a bushing.

Should I be looking at getting a "pivot assembly" from K2 as well???

[kiwi]

take a look at this
98 bike manual

[pedro]

thanks Dan for the evo pivot advice, I beleive I have the general idea.
       1. loosen swingarm pinch bolts
       2. place pivot tool through axle and tighten on both sides
       3. tighten swingarm pinch bolts
       4. loosen and remove pivot tool

In the orifices where the carbon fiber swingarm connects to the frame, it has,,,what I would describe as  bushings (made from some sort of plastic). These "bushings" press against a metal (?) washer, and these metal washers press against the frame.
From what I understand, the objective of the pivot tool is to press tightly the plastic bushings against the metal washers and frame so there is minimal or no play.

[GET]

I am just bringing this topic to the front page for the question that was just asked.