Is this fixable?

[turbofiat124]

Bravo 110cc ATV.

When I got this thing the bolt that holes the swing arm to the frame was broke and bent. I replaced it with a 1/2" all-thread which is close to 13 mm so it wasn't like the rod I used was too small diameter and it wobbled around. I guess this "bushing?" was cracked and weakened it and it broke on me.

I can't tell if this piece is part of the frame or swing arm or just a separate piece that has cracked. Shouldn't there be a polyurethane bushing inside in the frame? Or it this bushing just a piece of metal and that's what has cracked?






If the swing arm and frame butts up against each other, then what is actually broke? I'm assuming this is a metal bushing that has broke.

The main question is, how hard is this to fix? Do I have to replace the frame or swing arm or whatever this piece is (metal bushing?).

Could I extract this broken bushing and install a poly swing-arm bushing? Or modify a bushing from an end link to go in this hole?

Like I said, I can't really tell what's broken. I know that sound dumb but logic would say this should be a polyurethane bushing. This piece just looks like a solid metal bushing.

Thanks.

[Huck369]

I'm not familiar with that model, but there "Should" be bearings in there, and the threaded rod wouldn't have the smooth surface in the contact patches....I say the best course is to disassemble and see what it looks like...

[Bruce's]

There should be a sleeve or a bushing inside the tube ,the all thread likely destroyed it but bushings on these Chinese bikes are usually a sore spot to begin with .Take it apart ,using a long punch from the other side remove what's left of it ,then take some measurements and start searching .My next door neighbour runs a machine shop out of his garage ,perhaps you can find someone like him to take care of things ?Also ,ditch the all thread and go to a bolt supplier and buy a bolt for the pivot .

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by Bruce's

There should be a sleeve or a bushing inside the tube ,the all thread likely destroyed it but bushings on these Chinese bikes are usually a sore spot to begin with .Take it apart ,using a long punch from the other side remove what's left of it ,then take some measurements and start searching .My next door neighbour runs a machine shop out of his garage ,perhaps you can find someone like him to take care of things ?Also ,ditch the all thread and go to a bolt supplier and buy a bolt for the pivot .

I'm thinking the reason the bushing broke was because the original bolt broke and was bent and damaged it to begin with. I had to really hammer to drive the thing out with a punch.

The reason I used the all thread was finding a 13mm (or 1/2") bolt that length would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Tractor supply didn't have one in that length.

We have a Fastenal dealer but I'm usually disappointing when I got in there and they never seen to have what I need in stock and have to order it.

I'll check with them and see if they have anything in 1/2" in that length which would be easier to find. If not I guess I could use a piece of non threaded rod and use a die and make my own.

My idea to fabricate a bushing (if I can't find one to fit) was to use a poly end link bushing from a swaybar, run a bolt/nut through it and place it in my drill press and machine it down with a file (make shift lathe) if necessary. Maybe 1mm in diameter bigger. Stick it in a freezer to shrink it. Drill the center out for 1/2" for the bolt.

Found this item, this might be what I need. Will have to pull the old one out and measure it first. It's in Great Britain, surely I can find one here in the US.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Quad-Bike-...9X1rjg&vxp=mtr

[Emerikol]

Turbo, I'm not very familiar with ATV's, but I think you're on the right track. Take everything apart and see how it all 'should' fit back together. Then you can start looking at poly bushings to reassemble everything. One thing to watch out for that comes to mind is the clearance necessary for the shoulder of the bushing and the space required to put the swingarm back in place. Keep those pictures coming and we'll try to help you out a much as we can. Good luck!

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by Emerikol

Turbo, I'm not very familiar with ATV's, but I think you're on the right track. Take everything apart and see how it all 'should' fit back together. Then you can start looking at poly bushings to reassemble everything. One thing to watch out for that comes to mind is the clearance necessary for the shoulder of the bushing and the space required to put the swingarm back in place. Keep those pictures coming and we'll try to help you out a much as we can. Good luck!

It may be a few days before I can take a look at it but is there one or two sets of bushings?

Two in the swing arm and two in the frame?
Or just two that go in the frame?

Just so I know what I am up against.

I think the easiest way to get the sleeve out on the busted bushing maybe to take a small die grinder and grind a slot it then knock it using a punch. I might get lucky and be able to use a pipe or something to knock the other bushing out from the backside instead of having to tear it up.

I'll post some photos and what I come up with when I get a chance.

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by Bruce's

There should be a sleeve or a bushing inside the tube ,the all thread likely destroyed it but bushings on these Chinese bikes are usually a sore spot to begin with .Take it apart ,using a long punch from the other side remove what's left of it ,then take some measurements and start searching .My next door neighbour runs a machine shop out of his garage ,perhaps you can find someone like him to take care of things ?Also ,ditch the all thread and go to a bolt supplier and buy a bolt for the pivot .

Agreed with bruces sorry to say but I bet those threads just sliced there way thru that soft brass bushing . Definitely needed shoulder bolt there

Signed, captain obvious .

You will get it, just get in there and get er done!

[david3921]

Turbo, is this what your swingarm looks like?http://www.motopartsmax.com/index.ph.../cPath/119_168
If so, it seems pretty cheap and might be the way to go. If not, that website seems where you might be able to find what you need.

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by david3921

Turbo, is this what your swingarm looks like?http://www.motopartsmax.com/index.ph.../cPath/119_168
If so, it seems pretty cheap and might be the way to go. If not, that website seems where you might be able to find what you need.

That link didn't seem to work but is this what your talking about:

http://www.motopartsmax.com/index.ph...ducts_id/15693

Looks like it but I'm more concerned about what's broken off inside the frame. It may just be a busted bushing or sleeve I'm looking at. Won't know until I dissemble it.

These end link bushings is what I was thinking about using if I had to, providing the OD is big enough to slide into the swing arm:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QeoAAO...q6/s-l1600.jpg

Pop one set into the swing arms and one set into the frame and place a washer between the two bushings. Would that be a good idea if I had to resort to it?

[david3921]

Yep, that's the one. The reason I asked was those swingarms are very inexpensive and come with the bushings installed. From your picture it looks like both the swingarm and frame are in need of repair. Buying a complete swingarm would solve half your battle. It looks like the frame uses the same type of bushings and may be available from the site.

I would say that, like you said, getting it all apart to see what has to repaired is the next step. Can you get a picture of the whole machine so we can see what it is? Even though it's called a Bravo, a picture help us see what else it's called. Maybe some of us have the same thing under another name.

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by david3921

Yep, that's the one. The reason I asked was those swingarms are very inexpensive and come with the bushings installed. From your picture it looks like both the swingarm and frame are in need of repair. Buying a complete swingarm would solve half your battle. It looks like the frame uses the same type of bushings and may be available from the site.

Yeah that might be the way to go. Especially if the swing arm itself is messed up. As far as the frame, what I might be seeing is just the chewed up rubber from the bushing.

Another thing. As mentioned the bolt was broken (and bent) when I got this thing. It broke on the same side the bushing is messed up.

I thought maybe using those polyurethane end link bushings might be stronger than using those rubber replacement bushings.

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by Huck369

but there "Should" be bearings in there

You are correct sir!

I'll take some photos tomorrow but here is what I found.

That is not a torn up bushing but a busted bearing. I knocked the other one out to get the numbers off it : 6001-2 RS. I ordered two of them off Ebay for less than $5.00.

Here's the deal on the swing arm. There is a sleeve that goes between both bearings and a rubber O-ring inside the frame. It's bent/chewed up on one end as well.

The weird thing is the sleeve appeared to have been welded to the swing arm on the side that broke. And the sleeve slides through the bearing that was busted and butts up against the other bearing. Then a bolt goes through the bearing, sleeve and through the other bearing. There is also a groove in the sleeve which appears to be for a snap ring.

However I measured the ID of the sleeve at 13mm. The ID of the bearing is also 13mm so how can the sleeve go through the bearing because the ID of the sleeve is more like 13.3mm OD. That would be impossible!

So I don't know if the sleeve was actually welded to the swing arm or what but there is rough metal like something broke off the swing arm. Just can't tell exactly what it was.

But looks to me I can grind down any rough edges on the swing arm, use a washer to make up the difference, insert a 1/2" ID sleeve inside the frame between both bearings and it should be OK.

By the way. Unless the rubber is really hard, I can't tell there are any rubber bushings inside the swing arm on this ATV. There is a bronze or steel sleeve. Whatever they are made of, they don't look damaged or wallowed out.

Now to find a new sleeve and bolt and I should be good to go.

[Darth Racer]

It looks like you might want to get a new chain too. Second pic from the top I see some deformed links on the lower side. Might be from the chain slap you had from the grooves on the frame tubes.

Not sure if that weakened the swing arm or the frame that started this issue. Can't really make heads or tails what I'm looking at in that pic.... it's too close up.

[turbofiat124]

Originally Posted by Darth Racer

It looks like you might want to get a new chain too. Second pic from the top I see some deformed links on the lower side. Might be from the chain slap you had from the grooves on the frame tubes.

Not sure if that weakened the swing arm or the frame that started this issue. Can't really make heads or tails what I'm looking at in that pic.... it's too close up.

I didn't notice any chain damage but did notice where the chain had worn into the frame. I might need to weld it up a bit in case the hole it worn weakened the tube.

By the way. Is this tube spacer or whatever really necessary? The bearings are what supports the bolt. I can't see how the spacer/tube would be of any benefit at taking pressure off the bearings.

It's also going to be hard to get the distance between the bearings 100% correct if I cut one down to fit to go between the bearings.

[turbofiat124]

OK here are some pics:

Bike torn apart. The reason I took the plastic cover off was to paint it but I'll save that for another thread.



Boogered up sleeve, O-ring and what was left of the bearing:



Busted bearing removed:



This side of the swingarm is OK:




Here is the side of the swing arm with the busted bearing:



OK, what do you guys make of this? How was this thing put together?

The sleeve appears to have been welded to the swing arm on the side where the bearing failed. But it could just be messed up from where the bearing failed. A die grinder should fix this.

I'm not "feeling" any rubber bushings in the swing arms. It appears to be bronze or steel sleeve pressed into metal into the swing arm.

There is a groove in the sleeve for what appears to be a snap ring but I couldn't find one unless it fell off and is still in the frame.

The all-thread did suffer some wear so I'm going to find either a 1/2 X 12" bolt or cut down a piece of non threaded rod and drill some holes for some cotter pins to hold it in place.

I really don't see what purpose this sleeve does. Or how it could take weight or pressure off the bearings. And I'm not sure if I can get a sleeve back in it's place between the two bearings anyway.