Regarding bronze bushings, A project I am working in was previously modified from the original steel sleeve and molded rubber style flex pivot. This is a swingarm pivot on a motorcycle.
As mentioned, the molded steel / rubber designed had been removed.
As a replacement, the design was modified to have a non rotating steel spacer / crush sleeve, and onto the spacer are tight press fit bronze bushings that do not rotate on the steel.
Inside the swingarm, they pressed in non rotating bronze bushings.
Ultimately, leaving bronze to pivot on bronze. I have never seen this match up before of bronze pivoting on bronze. Typically it is a ground steel shaft pivoting on bronze.
Is bronze pivoting on bronze an acceptable bearing, or will it tend to bind, gall and sieze?
It will have a tendency to gall. Most applications like this use dissimilar metals letting the softer of the two wear. usually the easier one to replace the one that wears
I've seen that done for drag racing applications where there is little actual movement of the swingarm and it usually has grease fittings or has a "captured" lubricant..... On a road going machine, uh, NOPE!
'15 F3-S Pure Magnesium Metallic - Mad Max Edition
'15 Mclaren 650S Coupe - Aurora Blue
"You Were Really Flyin', When I Passed You Back There!"
Chuck
2015 F3-S , Pure Magnesium Metallic/Steel Black Metallic
A photo of what is there currently. Pretty certain I will do away with the current inner bushing setup and machine a one piece center spacer from 4130 and let the swingarm pivot on that.
There are bronze bushings out there that have a lubricant impregnated in them. They are used for bearings as you show. Not sure if these are those types of bearings. If this is the case bronze against bronze will not hurt. Your choice.
2011 RT-S SE5 Viper Red
2014 RT-S SE6 Cognac
Bajaron sway bar w/ aluminum heims
Custom Design HM Brake light
Custom Design Red front fender lights with turn signals
Lidlox
Corbin arm rests
There are bronze bushings out there that have a lubricant impregnated in them. They are used for bearings as you show. Not sure if these are those types of bearings. If this is the case bronze against bronze will not hurt. Your choice.
The build is not done dry, so all the pivots are greased. Going to a 4130 center crush spacer / bushing will be simple to make and improve the design from what it was. For the application, this should benefit freedom of movement, little wear, and structurally better. Just another day dealing with vintage motorcycles...
FWIW, to remove the inner bronze bushings from the swingarm they had to be pressed out in the hydraulic press. They came out less than willingly and were creaking the entire way out.
Question about bronze bushings
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by viperryder
