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Bushings for 5th Element

ffonsok

Monkey
Dec 6, 2005
692
0
A few months ago I got a 5th Element from the Santa Cruz clearance sale for $100. Awesome deal- I put it on, but it doesnt come with the proper bushings, so i put it on with my old Swinger bushings- there is a little play, but overall it works well.

However, now that the trails are drying out and i'm reading to start riding seriously again, i want to get the proper bushings. Is this just something that a local bike shop can hook me up with, or a specific "5th element Only" part that would require me to order from the factory?

thanks
nathan
 

davep

Turbo Monkey
Jan 7, 2005
3,276
0
seattle
you are looking for reducers NOT bushings BTW.

Although after running the undersized manitou reducers in a 5th for a while, you will most likely need new bushings as well.
 

thaflyinfatman

Turbo Monkey
Jul 20, 2002
1,577
0
Victoria
Ah.... Manitou DU bushings are 12mm diameter, 5th Element ones are 12.7mm diameter (half inch).... running Manitou reducers in your 5th element won't work properly and it will flog out your 5th DU bush too. Get some new reducers.
 

Spunger

Git yer dumb questions here
Feb 19, 2003
2,257
0
805
I just got some from go-ride.com. They were like $3.50 each I think. Those were the Fox ones but will work on Romic & 5th element's. That was for the DU bushings

Word to wise.....my brother had a problem like this. His frame was spec'ed for a Manitou rear shock (hence manitou reducers) and when dealing with a Fox/5th element/Romic in some cases to reducers need to be ground down. I dunno his exact spec problem but as an example say your frame wants a 23.5mm reducer width. Well the solid steel pin that's found in 5th elements might only be available in 24mm and the reducers might only be in 22.5 and 24mm. Do you'd have to get the 24mm ones and grind them down. That's only an example but that was what had to be done to get a Fox Vanilla RC to fit onto a bike that came with manitou hardware. Funky but it works.
 

davetrump

Turbo Monkey
Jul 29, 2003
1,270
0
fox bushings and reducers will work on a 5th as well if that makes it easier for you to source them.

edit: someone beat me to it, haha
 

jezozwierz

Chimp
Jan 11, 2007
42
0
carpathian mountains
I always replaced the stock aluminum ones with reducers made from bronze alloy used for bearings.They barelly get used up and the material has "self lubeing" properties.Just get acces to a lathe and its no problem to make your own.Works great and they have a nice bronze/golden finish!Cheers