Mountain Biking - Shock mounting hardware

Ok looking to replace my shock.. have found good deal on shock ... also found the hardware specific to the shock, but I'm not sure how it's measured.

I know I need 2 sets probably.. So what / how do I measure the kits are like 8 x 24mm or 8 x 47.5 or 6 x 42mm etc etc ... so what are these measurements I assume the 8 or 6 is the diameter of the mounting rod and the others are the width of the pin or sleeve???

so I'm assuming I have to remove the shock and measure something the 2nd number is what I have a problem grasping as my shock is in the middle or a 3 inch bar and looks to have a spacer on each side. and the kits only come with one sleve not one for each side.. and the bottom is tight I'm not sure if there is anything required there besides the pin that goes in the shock..

I need to page scublover he is always helpful on suspensions as well as Smashy and Mr. Minor. Also my bike is a 2006 trek fuel ex7 if by some miracle someone knows what size the hardware is.

Thanks for reading my thread and any help is appreciated.

Just saw this, sorry for the delay. Hooboy; let's see if I have this right:

Yes, 8 is for an 8mm bolt (or threaded rod or whatever) that passes through the bushings (that's what the sleeves are called). Most bushings supplied by Fox for their shocks are two equal-length bushings with a shoulder, the smaller outer diameter being what goes in the shock eyelet. The two smaller bushing ends meet in the middle of the shock eyelet.

Of course, you seem to have discovered a set that is like other frame makers, etc. often make up bushings - - as one sleeve that passes all the way through the shock eye. Fox does theirs in two halves with shoulders for two reasons: the shoulder keeps the shock centered on the bushing space, thus eliminating possibility of odd off-center side-loads; and because it makes them easier to install pressing in from both sides rather than pressing one all the way through the eyelet to center.

The 42, 47.5, etc. measurement is likely the overall width of the bushing - - the width it needs to be to be a snug fit between whichever suspension pivots it is mounted between. Taking an accurate metric caliper to your mounts will give you the firgures you need to see if these are the right bushing lengths.

When I get some time, I'll try to do some research and see if I can find those numbers (since I have no idea off the top of my head), but the surest way for now will be to measure. BTW, if you only have an American (non-mtric) caliper and can read the verniers, you can convert to metric. A pain, but plenty do-able.

Thanks D .. very helpful. will have to get out my calipers.. or just buy another rockshox brand and hope it fits.

Most shock makers will know what type of mounting kit you need for your bike. So if you are getting a fox, call up fox and tell them I am getting a Fox RP23 and I need to mount it to a 2006 trek fuel ex7 and they should have a kit or at least tell you the part #'s.

yeah I was looking to skate by on the cheap with a 5th element that's discontinued. but it may not be wise.. the shock is 60 bucks, but the mounting stuff is going to be another 30.. my current shock isn't that bad off.. just the nitrogen damper is going out.. I may see if I can just order one of those then rebuild my shock.

^^ So you still have the bushings for your existing Fox, right? Unless I am mistaken, the eyelet ID and width are exactly the same between Fox and 5th Element shocks. Your Fox bushings that fit your Fuel should slip right in.

I'm pretty sure my son reused his bushings when he replaced the old Vanilla RC on his Bullit with a 5th that he got on a blowout from SC. I'll have to ask him to be sure.

it's a rock shox mc3.3.. thinking about just buying the shock and then going from there. I found a kit for the upper mount, but none for the lower. which I believe is also 6mm.

the 5th element air has some kind of weird rollers in the eyelets as well.

it's a rock shox mc3.3.. thinking about just buying the shock and then going from there. I found a kit for the upper mount, but none for the lower. which I believe is also 6mm.

the 5th element air has some kind of weird rollers in the eyelets as well.Sorry, for some reason I was thinking it was a Fox. When you get a measurement on the width you need, PM me. I think I still have some Fox bushings spare and if they are right or can be shaved down to right, I'll give 'em to you.

As for what's in the eyelets on the 5th, those can probably be pushed/pressed out to make room for the bushings you need. I doublechecked through some Progressive PDFs and the base eyelets look pretty standard.

Just found another 5th Element PDF - - for the Air:

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/5thelement/5thAirSetupGuide.pdf

If you go to page 9, you'll see what their bushing kits are like. They use a center hollow pin and then short bushings over that for spacers - - an inelegant way to achieve the same thing that Fox did with stepped bushings in two halves.

With a setup like that, it may be quite possible to make that up with standard metric bushings from a bearing supply if you can't find the right kit.

^ That center hollow pin arrangement is also used on the MC3.3 mounting kit. They also supply bushings that go over the pin on each side, and leave a bit of room for the 2nd set of bushings, which is just little rubber o-rings. Definitely a PITA to get that hollow pin in and out. Also the rubber O-rings make it possible to mount the shock with the pin not centered (what happened to me) - the O-ring just compresses on one side. This subjects the shock to side-loads which can (I suspect) lead to shock failures like me recent one.

your right again if it was a fox it'd fit no problem, as they are 1/2 inch .. rock shox/ maitou are 12mm

well think I'm passing on the 5th element , too much hassle for a probably inferior product.... sorry to bother you guys .. going to look for a manitou or a rock shox .. or probably just run it like it is.


edit .. i do feel educated now ... maybe I'll hose the other parts of my bike that I don't know how to work on such as the BB or changing a headset.

5th elements aren't really inferior, they're just old. I think manitou bought their technology. I think I read somewhere on the mtbr forums that a lot of the Manitou Swinger parts are compatible with 5th element, as they are very similar.

5th elements aren't really inferior, they're just old. I think manitou bought their technology. I think I read somewhere on the mtbr forums that a lot of the Manitou Swinger parts are compatible with 5th element, as they are very similar.

yeah still may go with one ... got all my measurements.. I'll have to call my lbs and see if they still sell mounting hardware for them.. I really don't want to take the bushing out of my current shock as it is in there tight... have 40mmx6 on top and 22x6 on the bottom.. my current shock has 12mm eyelet hardware, not sure on 5th element, but if you knock the ball joints out of the end they are supposed to be 1/2 inch.

a manitou swinger would be a direct replacement for my shock , If I find one in the 6.5 inch for the right price i'll jump on it.

still not 100% sure my shock is a total blow out, may just be something wrong with the pro pedal floodgate thing, because platform and lockout are pretty much the same. the thing seems quieter after removing it and knocking it around a little.

ok so I got mad and just ordered the 5th element shock and some hardware to mount it ,,, I'll have to shorten the bushing, but nothing a hacksaw can't fix..

then I'm checking the web for some stuff on it and find this bike with the shock mounted upside down??? http://cgi.ebay.com/GIANT-AC-FULL-SUSPENSION-18-LARGE-WITH-5TH-ELEMENT_W0QQitemZ110387914549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMountain_Bikes?hash=item19b3a1e735&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

does it matter if the air can is on the top or the bottom?

edit ::: and why is that crappy bike from a guy with no feedback almost at a grand?

and why is that crappy bike from a guy with no feedback almost at a grand?

Feeding frenzy? Yup, go figure.

Did you get a 5th element coil or air? I recently got a new 5th coil because it was cheaper than rebuilding my current one. The air ones are junk. The coiler weighs over a pound more than the MC3.3, I will definitely miss that little bit of weight savings. But at least it won't go asploding at the worst moment.

I got the air one .. it was unused and cheap.. If it blows oh well, I can always throw the mc back on.


edt .. maybe it'll blow and I can damage my frame.. I been eyeing a cannondale rush without the lefty