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I have just bought a replacement Hemlock swingarm after the old one broke, and need to check about the clamp on the new one - I didnt realise the new one would be a different design - is the washer that sits in the gap on the old pivot clamp the right one for the new one?
I'd really rather not break the brand new one....cheers.
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Interesting - how did I post twice?
I just had a look at mine, it doesn't have a washer on the revised swingarm. But I have to be honest, I can't guarantee that's right- I think it came assembled with bolt etc from Cotic but it's been in bits a few times since. (I can say though it's done a few years this way so if it is supposed to have a washer, it doesn't seem to be critical 😉 )
If its the washers between the swingarm and bearings I had an issue when fitted the updated swingarm. The washers on the old swingarm were not thick enough and the swingarm could be levered side to side slightly, cotic sent me new ones which were thicker
I asked Paul at cotic a similar question when I swapped out my rear. Here is the response if it helps.
The pinch clamp on the new chainstay uses the same M5 bolt as you have on your current chainstays and the main pivot axle is also reused but screwed in from the opposite side
I can check my bike later but I don't think it needs the washer (this was the cause of many of the earlier chainstay issues).
Ah no, I meant the metal washer where it clamps round the pivot bolt to stop it squeezing too close together.
I have just put a caliper across the gap between the faces outside the bearings, that the same gap.
I may have to give Cotic a call Monday.
Cheers Bubs, it seems the washer may not be required, as Northwind has reported the same.
Just popped out to check and it looks like Northwind's bike is about to burst into flames at any moment. Mine does have a washer (it is just hidden behind a lot of dirt). Looks a a call to Cotic is needed as one of us is riding on borrowed time 😮 but as I fitted mine it could easily be me!
afaik there were 3 generations of swingarm...the original that broke easily (mine did), then came a beefed up version with square profile tubes/stays then a final version in 2011(?) with a more rounded version of the tubes/stays. I have the latest version and it looks like you do too blisterman...mine has the washer in the gap, looks no different from the washer in the original version.
One word of caution I will add when fitting the new stays is that two washers are required that go between the main pivot bearings and chainstay mounts then the pivot bolt goes through: the washers should be the right thickness to make it so that its all snug fit. If its not a snug fit its very easy to break the main pivot bolt when you tighten it up (its only alloy...the short threaded section snaps off). The washers were not the same as for the original swingarm! Be warned...I broke 2 pivot bolts before I realised what I was doing wrong 😳
Nuke is more observant than me- my chainstays are the middle, very square design, yours are slightly different.
Now wondering whether [i]I[/i] need a washer 😆 But since
is its default state I'm not too stressed.it looks like Northwind's bike is about to burst into flames at any moment.
Thanks all, that was very helpful.
I emailed Paul @ Cotic this morning, he confirmed a washer need NOT be used - the clamp should just be nipped up to stop the axle rotating.
Cheers all.
@nuke I am in process of changing chainstays after crack discovered . Main pivot bearing has seized to axle and I have managed to bugger the thread on the axle so will be needing new one. Did you source your replacements from Cotic? Also can you recommend best source for new bearings?
Thanks