1998 Specialized FSR Elite main pivot bearings

[chrisbro77]

Hi all,

I recently got a specialized fsr elite short frame no rear triangle, now I already had a full suspension rockhopper of a similar age with an enduro rear triangle. So i'm trying to make the elite from the two bikes, my issues are that the rockhopper never had a factory correct parts for the main pivot. It always had a bit of play not in the bearings but where the pivot bolt goes through the frame, like its too narrow.

I just wondered if anyone knew the dimensions or have pictures of all the parts that are needed for the main pivot ? I know I could probably get a kit from BETD if they still do them, i just wanted to know if I could fix it without spending ANOTHER £50 on it.

cheers
chris

 

[twain]

Re:

Got pictures of the setup you have? Thing with BETD version, it won't fit 1999 elites (at least the one I have) I bought it and had to return it as it was too small - needle roller bearings and bushing weren't a large enough diameter.

I'm in the process of stripping my elite down for a rebuild so could get some dims for you. However, if you don't have the bushing, you're a bit screwed as getting this part is impossible but also, getting it fabricated will be expensive as the material needed is expensive and hard to machine (will need a specialist).
Let's see what you've got first and then I'll see if I can help. Check my FSR bearing upgrade thread - it might help you.

 

[chrisbro77]

Re:

Hi, I think the only factory correct parts are the bearings in the chainstays, all the rest I'm having to fashion to a certain degree.

Chris

 

[chrisbro77]

twain, i've had a look through your photobucket pictures of main pivot. I haven't got the pivot bolt but is there anything that goes in the frame around the pivot bolt ?



cheers
chris

 

[twain]

Re:

No, nothing around the pivot bolt. The only thing I needed was some metal spacers between the bearing face and the pivot housing in the main frame (next to bottom bracket)
I had the spacers made by a chap on here, but if I give you the dims you may be able to find them somewhere or fashion them out of some thinner ones. I'll have a look this weekend and give you a breakdown get some pics of what you have and I can see if I have anything that might help. You will need that bolt for the main pivot though....

 

[chrisbro77]

Now that its one I haven't got.... That bolt cannot be that harder metal due to the fact it would wear the frame so much over time it'll ovalise the hole in the frame, there must a sacrificial bush in the frame to stop that....

chris

 

[twain]

Re:

Well the bolt doesn't actually move. The bearings and linkage move around it, as it's resting and clamped adjacent by the Allen bolt at the back there on the inner race of those 2 bearings you can see. I've got 2 FSR Elite frames and they both have those bolts. There is zero room to get any other bushing in there. I'll send you some more detailed pics once I get mine stripped.

 

[chrisbro77]

right, the hole in the frame is 14.2mm ID. The bearing is a 6000BS so 10mm ID.