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Rear suspension arms. What am I missing?

Started by Marqus, November 20, 2022, 08:50:14 AM

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Marqus

Hi there,
looking at the attached picture you see a rather wide gap between the parts. Is it correct like this. According to the explosions there are only bearings and 2 small seals on each side. So there is nothing that coul close that gap?

Am I missing sth here?

thank you

fj1289

There shouldn't be a large lateral force on those parts - that lateral load gets carried through the swing arm pivot.  Better for these parts be a bit loose that way to prevent binding and allow best suspension action.  But, you don't want any play in the axial movement!

Marqus

Please help me: what exactly would the "axial movement" be? And what is "lateral load"?

Isn't axial movement what I am trying to get rid of. The red circled areas are too wide. So the arms can slide loose along the bolt...

Thx

fj1289

Sorry

By lateral load I mean side to side forces. 

By axial movement I mean the way the part is meant to rotate. 

So, if there is a little side to side movement in the linkage that is OK.

When you rotate or move the linkage is should be smooth and not loose or wiggly. 

Millietant

Yup, those gaps are ok.

The bearings in the link are not designed to take any sideways loading/force at all (they're only designed to carry rotational forces) and there needs to be a gap to prevent the link binding with the lugs (so don't overtighten them to try to close up the gaps, use the correct specified torque).

Additionally, because it's designed with those gaps, it's important that you keep on top of lubricating/greasing those bearings at service intervals. It's not a time consuming, or difficult, job but it pays dividends in the long run.

In this case, axial refers basically to the way the suspension up and down forces. Lateral refers to sideways forces and if the swinging arm and rear wheel bearings mounted correctly and everything is correctly torqued up, there should be no sideways force to speak of, on those bearings  :good2:
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Pat Conlon

Do you guys recall seeing a picture of zerk fittings on these swingarm links?
Sure would make maintenance easier...
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3

Millietant

Yes Pat, I've seen a grease nipple on 1 of the 2 on the linkage bearings on a 3CV, but not on that little (expensive) one that the bottom shock mounting bolt goes through - the design of the bearing prohibits that anyway.
Dean

'89 FJ 1200 3CV - owned from new.
'89 FJ 1200 3CV - no engine, tank, seat....parts bike for the future.
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - complete runner 2024 resto project
'88 FJ 1200 3CV - became a race bike, no longer with us.
'86 FJ 1200 1TX - sold to my boss to finance the '89 3CV I still own.

Marqus