Pivot bearings- is there a better way?

[gigantic]

Jony & Moybin, i believe, have discussed the benefits of using a different material in lieu of the needle bearings in the paralever pivot. has anyone gone farther on this than just talk? if so, what did you use? bronze thrust bearings? hmdp? got specs?
Lance

[Mr. Deltoid]

Check out rubberchickenracing.com.They look impressive, and we need a brave soul to test them.I would, but I recently replaced my needle bearings and have no desire tear it down again.Good luck!

[JeffConnor]

I've got their bushings, about 6K miles on them with no slop or problems. MUCH more bearing surface than needle bearings, lifetime lubrication, and a long history with the GS crowd. Seem perfect to me.

[mikek]

I replaced the pivot brgs on my K12RS with the bronze bushings that Tom Cutter sells.

IMHO these bushings are a much improved solution to BMW's poor design.

If you are familar with wrenching and bearing installations, it is a simple job, if not, then then figure about 2-3 hrs labor plus the price of the bushings. Money well spent.

[gigantic]

cool. he's in my area, too. I'll look into it!

[Moybin]

I now have the dimensions for the bushings and will buy a stick of Nylatron from McMaster here in a week or two. Then I will get my shop manager to cut a couple of sets on the lathe at work, or do it myself on a lunch break.

I think it will cost me like $5 for a foot of the nylon, probably enough to make 6 pairs of bushings. Will keep everyone posted.

Here are dimensions I took off the bushings when I had the tranny out 2 years ago. I don't think the bushings would grow/shrink since then (?).

front bushing: 10mm ID x 18.5mm OD x 1.257 inch wide (32mm max)

rear bushing is # A2126, TIMKEN CUP 1.2595" (31.993mm) OD,0.3125" (7.9375mm) wide, 10mm ID

[gigantic]

here's rubber chicken racing's version:
http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com/upgrades.htm

[Moybin]

Just placed the order for MDS impregnated Nylon 6 from McMaster-Darr. 2" diameter, 1 foot long, just under $17. Not a bad deal. I checked and their data sheets say Nylon 6 is good for outdoor applications, Nylon 6/6 is not. So it's the MDS (moly disulphide) Nylon 6 for me.