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06-12-12, 06:06 PM
Well,.....i finally ordered a Thudbuster LT suspension seatpost,....will arrive in a week or less.
.......but i could use a favor?
I was hoping someone might be able to accurately measure the inside diameter of the steel part of the bushings and pass it along, so that i can get some parts ready for an idea i have?
A dial caliper measument would be suffecient.........
I have thought about the way some have tried to keep the bushings clean and less prone to wearing, but don't like the crudbuster or Ace bandage wrap. Both look a bit "cheezy" to me.
I have TWO ideas in mind............
My first thought was to use a thin stainless bolt and stainless/nylon lock nut going thru each of the 4 steel tube parts of the bushings, pinching a neoprene o-ring or small faucet washer at each side pressed against the bushings to seal them. It appears to me the steel part of the bushings stick out just a bit in the videos i've seen on youtube close ups.
That would certainly seal the bushing ends from road grime, although add a little weight that i'm not worried about. (i don't plan on racing at almost 56) It would also be the best "sealing" as more pressure can be applied to the sealing washers.
Since they would now be well sealed, i also plan on coating the bushings with a high content moly paste, rather than rely on simple oil. This should prevent any wear much better, and greatly reduce the need for rebuilds.
Not being sarcastic here,.....but the company surely makes a fine secondary market in rebuild componants by leaving these bushings unsealed and recomending simple oil lubrication and simple cover.
BUT,......i think this much simpler (and lighter) solution would work out just fine providing these are made in a proper size?
I've been looking for some rubber plugs that have a good friction fit into the steel bushing tubes, and with a suffecient outer "lip" to cover the bronze/steel bushing joint to keep dirt out.
This one i found is in thermalplastic rubber: http://www.alliance-express.com/PVC-TPR-plugs
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsThermalplasticRubber.jpg
There is also a more tapered low density polyethelene, but i'm wondering if the strong taper would allow these to work themselves out over time? Many more sizes available, however:
http://www.alliance-express.com/wide-flange-caps-or-plugs
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsLow-DensityPolyethylene2.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsLow-DensityPolyethylene.jpg
......but for this a more critical measurment of the ID of the steel bushing tubes is required, since they are a friction fit. (and of a "tappered" design) I'd like to get a few sizes ordered right away, so they will arrive about the time the Thudbuster arrives.
......hence the request to get a current Thudbuster LT owner to pass along the measurement.
.......but i could use a favor?
I was hoping someone might be able to accurately measure the inside diameter of the steel part of the bushings and pass it along, so that i can get some parts ready for an idea i have?
A dial caliper measument would be suffecient.........
I have thought about the way some have tried to keep the bushings clean and less prone to wearing, but don't like the crudbuster or Ace bandage wrap. Both look a bit "cheezy" to me.
I have TWO ideas in mind............
My first thought was to use a thin stainless bolt and stainless/nylon lock nut going thru each of the 4 steel tube parts of the bushings, pinching a neoprene o-ring or small faucet washer at each side pressed against the bushings to seal them. It appears to me the steel part of the bushings stick out just a bit in the videos i've seen on youtube close ups.
That would certainly seal the bushing ends from road grime, although add a little weight that i'm not worried about. (i don't plan on racing at almost 56) It would also be the best "sealing" as more pressure can be applied to the sealing washers.
Since they would now be well sealed, i also plan on coating the bushings with a high content moly paste, rather than rely on simple oil. This should prevent any wear much better, and greatly reduce the need for rebuilds.
Not being sarcastic here,.....but the company surely makes a fine secondary market in rebuild componants by leaving these bushings unsealed and recomending simple oil lubrication and simple cover.
BUT,......i think this much simpler (and lighter) solution would work out just fine providing these are made in a proper size?
I've been looking for some rubber plugs that have a good friction fit into the steel bushing tubes, and with a suffecient outer "lip" to cover the bronze/steel bushing joint to keep dirt out.
This one i found is in thermalplastic rubber: http://www.alliance-express.com/PVC-TPR-plugs
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsThermalplasticRubber.jpg
There is also a more tapered low density polyethelene, but i'm wondering if the strong taper would allow these to work themselves out over time? Many more sizes available, however:
http://www.alliance-express.com/wide-flange-caps-or-plugs
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsLow-DensityPolyethylene2.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb200/joejeweler/CapsLow-DensityPolyethylene.jpg
......but for this a more critical measurment of the ID of the steel bushing tubes is required, since they are a friction fit. (and of a "tappered" design) I'd like to get a few sizes ordered right away, so they will arrive about the time the Thudbuster arrives.
......hence the request to get a current Thudbuster LT owner to pass along the measurement.