[dccool879]

I picked up a 5th element for almost pennies but the mounting holes are too big! Do i need a DU bushing? I think one is pressed in there already, so perhaps I need some spacers/reducers? I've done like 20 google searches regarding the matter, but I just ended up even more confused! Please help!

 

[Dougal]

Your options are either finding and buying the right sized hardware or getting some made. It all depends on your frame and your location as to which is the better option.

This page will give you a rundown on the options:
http://dougal.co.nz/shockcraft.co.nz/hardware.html]

There's a PDF link on that page with more pictures on it. The measurements you need are frame mount internal width and bolt diameter.

 

[dccool879]

Thanks, this is making more sense now. So I think my frame has a 6mm wide 'shaft' for the eyelet, but 5th element requires an 8mm shaft. So either I need a new shock kit, or some kind of 2mm spacer?

I don't have the measurements because I'm at my parents until the 19th. Then I will figure out the diameters and go rouge on this (because the kits on ebay are 30 dollars and I bought this shock for about half that.) By rogue I mean create some kind of spacer. Maybe curling up sheet metal, pressing it in there, and covering it in lithium grease (because there will probably be some play that would create friction/heat). Does this sound dumb? Even if it's far from perfect I'll be happy.

 

[dccool879]

Looking at http://www.tftunedshox.com/info/mount_kits_bushings.aspx I think I was wrong in my last post. I was thinking I had a 6mm shaft and that was my issue, but I dont think thats it. I still have the manitou mounting hardware, and it would fit perfect if it was just a little wider for the eyelet. The shock doesnt wiggle left to right, just front to back. Is this because manitou is a 12mm fit and 5th is a 12.7mm fit?

 

[Dougal]

The swingers use a 12mm pin, the 5th element use a half inch (12.7mm) pin like Fox does.
So fox reducers for your frame will fit and work fine if you can find some.

 

[Warp]

You're not talking a 5th Air, are you?

If so, the 5th Air uses a special hardware in 3/8" diameter, much different to the standard 1/2" used in the coil ones as mentioned before.

 

[dccool879]

naw. So are there no spacers that will fit 12mm kits for 12.7mm eyelets? I still cant find better than 15$ per hole hardware, so i think i might just get another manitou and sell the 5th since I really need a 7.5" and not 200mm which is what my 5th is (which would still work, i compressed it all the way with the spring off and nothing hits)

 

[Dougal]

naw. So are there no spacers that will fit 12mm kits for 12.7mm eyelets? I still cant find better than 15$ per hole hardware, so i think i might just get another manitou and sell the 5th since I really need a 7.5" and not 200mm which is what my 5th is (which would still work, i compressed it all the way with the spring off and nothing hits)

12mm and 12.7mm are the two different sizes. There aren't any kits which will do both.
$15 per end is as cheap as you'll likely find them.

 

[dccool879]

I was just hoping there would be some kind of 0.7mm shim/spacer/reducer :/

 

[Dougal]

I was just hoping there would be some kind of 0.7mm shim/spacer/reducer :/

No, because the eyelet width is different too.