Rear Monoballs

Mike Bonkalski · 05-10-2004, 07:06 AM

I am thinking of installing rear monoballs during my rear suspension refresh (28mm t-bars, Elephant Poly-bronze, Bilsteins).

I am looking at monoballs from different companys and I wonder if there is an significant difference between monoballs from one company to the next? They all are sealed for no maintenance, most have stainless construction. What else should I be looking for in a rear monoball.

For example what is the difference between the Elephant Racing rear monoballs and Smart Racings rear monoballs?

--Mike

chrisp · 05-10-2004, 07:10 AM

I believe that the Elephant are sealed and Smart Racing's are not. I don't know the value of this seal and how much it adds to overall lognevity of the parts.

I am sure Chuck Moreland (Elephant Racing) will give you a detailed response.

I have the Smart Racing set up and it works very well for me.

chrisp · 05-10-2004, 07:30 AM

Check that...... I just looked and Elephant doesn't list any seal....I was confusing it with the fronts.

Elephant doesn't list any details about the spherical they use. So you'll have to wait for Chuck's response.

I know the Smart Racing uses quality materials and the spherical is teflon lined.

Mike Bonkalski · 05-10-2004, 07:41 AM

You're right. I don't think any of the rears are sealed, just the fronts.

Rennline · 05-10-2004, 08:01 AM

Hey mike. We Just started offering monoball sets and our are sealed with S/S guts and probabley the cheapest sealed set you can buy for $199. Check out the post I just added this morning about out new products. Rennline

nigel911 · nigel911's Garage

Never seen any mention of the longevity of rear monoballs, anyone have any idea how long would they last when used on the street?

Chuck Moreland · 05-10-2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisp
Check that...... I just looked and Elephant doesn't list any seal....I was confusing it with the fronts.

Elephant doesn't list any details about the spherical they use. So you'll have to wait for Chuck's response.

I know the Smart Racing uses quality materials and the spherical is teflon lined.

Note the difference between teflon lined bearings and weather seals - teflon eliminates the need for relubrication, but water and dirt will still enter the bearing to accelerate wear.

Elephant front monoballs have a true weather seal (in addition to teflon lined bearings). Elephant has a rubber seal, seperate from the bearing, that keeps out the contaminate much like the rubber boots on your ball joints.

Elephant rear monoballs will have a true weather seal available in about two weeks (this is also a teflon lined maintenance free bearing).

I'm curious if the rennline part actually has a weather seal, or is it merely teflon lined?

chrisp · 05-10-2004, 09:45 AM

nigel911: it's an often asked question but I don't think anyone has the appropraite mileage to make the call. At the very least there aren't dozens of first hand accounts that could begin to collect enough data and shed some light on this. Several people have opinions but I am not sure there's any factual information out there. I don't even know how long these products have been on the market in any form. I suspect that it's not long. When I bought mine 2 yrs ago there were two companies selling them (from what I could find) and now several more have jumped on the bandwagon. Those are indications that it was very immature at the time I bought them and now it's maturing. Chuck is the only one that has been introducing any innovation into an otherwise mature product category.