most rear bushes/bearings replaced

dentaku · L Plate Warrior Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Karma :

Dictionary.com had this on `bushings`: "A fixed or removable cylindrical metal lining used to constrain, guide, or reduce friction."

My Dad used to ride in the UK when he was younger and was an apprentice machinist. His response was: "A sleeve between a shaft or bolt of wearing or bearing
material usually bronze or nylon or such".

https://www.bobsbmw.com/parts_accessories/images/vintage/Ikon.jpg shows the bushings but not too well. It looks like it’s the sleeve where you would bolt the shock to the bike.

Bearings are likely referring to the rear axle. There could be other bearings in the suspension but I'm not too sure.

Hope this helps...

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

In the rear suspension system there is a linkage. Most bikes you have one link from the frame and one from the swinging arm and the 2 join together. The shock is bolted to the frame above these links and attaches to one of them. The idea is that as the rear wheel moves up at a constant rate the spring is compressed at at increasing rate (rising rate linkage).

Where each of these items joins together there is a need for them to be able to turn relative to each other. As such they will generally have a bolt holding them together, surrounded by a (probably steel) bush. The bolt is clamped tight so that the bush is clamped in place and does not move relative to the bolt. Around the bush in the other link which is being joined there will be some kind of bearing. This bearing might be a needle roller bearing, or or might be a plastic bush.

As the suspension is operated some of these bits will eventually wear out (especially if they are not stripped down and greased occasionally). When they are worn they will develop some play. Due to their position any play is amplified into more play at the back wheel.

Some bikes have hideous amounts of play in the suspension when new.

All the best

Keith
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