FJ1100 Rear Suspension Linkage Bearings

[Jemiss]

Hi All
I know this question was asked before but I couldn't find the answer.
My 84 FJ1100 suspension linkage bearings are shot and new seem impossible to fine. What alternatives do I have please? (excluding swapping out the entire rear end - thats the project for the other one!)
Will the 1200 bearings fit?
Can I swap the entire linkage for the 1200?
Rgds
Ian

[Mark Olson]

Ian, all the FJ's use the same bearings in the swingarm.
The parts you need are available from RPM. Just click the banner at the top.

[Pat Conlon]

Hello Ian
As Mark mentioned, all the FJ swing arm pivot bearings (#3 below) are the same, true, but I think you asked about the swing arm linkage bearings.

The Gen 1 '84/85 FJ's used a greased nylon sleeve bearing in the swinger linkage which worked ok when greased but washed out easily and when dry, then the nylon sleeves got fubared.
These nylon sleeves are now obsolete (for good reason)  

The Gen 2 FJ's '86/87 converted over to more durable needle bearings on these links.
See #10, #15 and #21 on this drawing:


I have been told 2 different things on these bearings:
1) That the 84/85 swinger links can be modified to fit these 86/87 needle bearings...and..
2) That no, the 84/85 swinger links can not be modified to fit these needle bearings.

I would err on the side of caution. You're gonna spend over $120 for these 6 bearings (still in stock btw) so rather than buy these new, only then find out that they don't fit your 84/85 linkage, instead, find some 86/87 swing arm links on FleaBay and use those on your 84/85.
If you do need new bearings, visit RPM for the best price.

Hope this helps....  Pat

[Hersey289]

Like Pat said. On my '85, I sourced a '86 linkage assembly on ebay, replaced the bearings and installed. Easy and works perfectly.

Rob

[Alf]

Yes, you can swap the entire linkage from 86-87 FJ 1200. A regular mod between Spanish owners to take advantage of the better 1200 bushings

[balky1]

Or if you don't want to swap it like you said, have the bushings made on a lathe. As I was told, good material chioces would be PA6 or Delrin. Raw rods of the material are probably available where you live.

[Jemiss]

So a long over due update.

I've been assured that the castings for the FJ11 and the 1TX are fundamentally the same. The bearings are 25mm for the FJ11 and 27mm for the  1TX - so no immediate switch. There were no 1200 linkage assemblies available on ebay at this time.

So the options appear to be to go for oilite bushes or machine it out to the 27mm. At this moment in time the oilite route seems the better option.

But not the one employed by a former owner who decided to get a 24mm flanged oilite bush and araldite it in to the 25mm hole, then add some plastic bushes from some where and then the original collars!

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks for the update Ian
So the mod on the 84/85 linkage involves drilling the openings from 25mm to 27mm to fit the 86/87 oem needle bearings.
Good to know.
It should be noted that the ID of the 84/85 oem nylon bushings and the 86/87 bearings are the same.
This is confirmed by the fact that the linkage thru bolts (#13/17/25) fits both generations 84/85 and 86/87 linkage.

This is an opportunity for an enterprising retired machinist to mill up some 25mm Delrin bushings to fit the 84/85 linkage so folks don't have to pay $$ to precision drill out their links and then on top buy $120 worth of 86/87 oem needle bearings.  I think a price point of ~$60 for the kit would be a good target.
For bushing material I like Delrin much better than the oem nylon.

Thanks again Ian

[FJmonkey]

So we know the OD is 25mm. Does anyone know what the ID and length are? I have a source through work that supplies us metric bearings and bushings, metal backed and composite. Maybe they have a size that will work. Anyone have access to measure the 84/85 bearings?

[Carson City Paul]

 

Thanks for the update Ian
So the mod on the 84/85 linkage involves drilling the openings from 25mm to 27mm to fit the 86/87 oem needle bearings.
Good to know.
It should be noted that the ID of the 84/85 oem nylon bushings and the 86/87 bearings are the same.
This is confirmed by the fact that the linkage thru bolts (#13/17/25) fits both generations 84/85 and 86/87 linkage.

This is an opportunity for an enterprising retired machinist to mill up some 25mm Delrin bushings to fit the 84/85 linkage so folks don't have to pay $$ to precision drill out their links and then on top buy $120 worth of 86/87 oem needle bearings.  I think a price point of ~$60 for the kit would be a good target.
For bushing material I like Delrin much better than the oem nylon.

Thanks again Ian

You don't "mill up" bushings on a lathe... you turn them.

Nylatron might be a good choice as well. You might be shocked at what some of that stuff costs in raw form (Nylon, Delrin, Nylatron, Etc.).
I do have a small bench lathe, but I would rather wait until I get my big boy before I start turning out parts from expensive material.
Once I'm set up I am willing to make parts for who ever wants. All they have to do is supply the material, cost of electricity and a couple bucks for the labor.  

[FJmonkey]

I am guessing the ID is 23mm. This would make the bearing wall 1mm thick. This is consistent with similar size metric bearings we use. I can figure out a length by measuring my swing arm when I get home. If they make a metal backed PTFE bearing that fits they would be run dry and maintenance free. 

[Pat Conlon]

Mark, going by memory, I'm not sure all the 84/85 nylon bushings were the same 25mm OD (.984") IIRC some bushings were smaller.
We need to have someone partially slide out the 3 bolts (just enough to measure) and get the OD of the bolts.
Or...
We could look at the part numbers on the linkage bolts to see if we can determine the diameter...
Bolt #25 part number 90105-12689-00
Bolt #17 part number  1AE- 22121-00
Bolt #13 part number  90101-12605-00


Paul, thanks for the verb clarification...a rod of 1" dia. Delrin is $8.72 per foot.
https://www.professionalplastics.com/DELRINSHEET-ROD
A 1" rod may not be enough...I think I recall a collar on the upper bushings (#21)

[Jemiss]

Hi Guys
Sorry, major busy with house clearance. I will be able to provide most of the measurements mentioned this weekend. I've new 1TX collars and originals as well.