lotus54 Posted Friday at 03:12 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:12 PM On my original 2014 Explorer (sold a couple years ago) I broke the suspension linkage a couple of times. I bought some Titanium ones and they were great (with lube fittings). But the company no longer makes them. I suspect they didn’t sell very many at all. Since I like learning things and have been working on Fusion (3D CAD) I have been designing a new linkage. I am basing off 2015 links (larger main link) but going to change to needle bearings in the middle of the link, with lubrication passages. The other ones would be a lot more difficult to change from the bushings, but I can still put lube passages. I have 3D printed the parts so I can test fit and make sure I got dimensions correct. Measuring/comparing to stock- I think I’m right on. The Ti ones I bought all the fittings to grease, I used to do so after every ride since there were no seals at all and the new grease would help push out contaminates. The needle berarings I found do have seals, so I will see about not doing it nearly as much if they really are effective. I can get them made out of any material I want- just a matter of cost. Once I have verified all is how I want, I will send the CAD files to a couple manufactures and get prices. I expect a good steel would be a LOT cheaper than titanium, and while heavier, most still quite a lot stronger than the stock aluminium parts. It has been a fun project so far- I will keep posting as it moves along. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konrad Posted Saturday at 12:55 AM Report Share Posted Saturday at 12:55 AM Worthwhile project! To get some idea of titanium's cost, here is a company that sells titanium fasteners: https://www.probolt-usa.com/titanium/?page=3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus54 Posted Saturday at 02:53 AM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 02:53 AM I sent off the files to one company to get a quote in 4130 and Titanium. I will post up results. The test fittings with 3D printed parts were good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted Saturday at 01:23 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 01:23 PM If you are looking to source raw Titanium you might want to try Titanium Joe out of Kingston, Joe rides EM trials bikes and has access to a supply of used Ti material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konrad Posted Saturday at 03:13 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 03:13 PM 1 hour ago, lemur said: If you are looking to source raw Titanium you might want to try Titanium Joe out of Kingston, Joe rides EM trials bikes and has access to a supply of used Ti material. Great to know! Titanium Joe Inc. 1407 John Counter Blvd. unit 90-B Kingston ON, K7K-6A9 613-545-0563 Kingston 905-556-0289 Canada315-285-4414 USAsales@titaniumjoe.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus54 Posted Saturday at 03:23 PM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 03:23 PM Thanks! I do not have the machinery to make all these parts, and I’ve never machined Ti. I have made replacement ‘middle pin’ in aluminium, but not anything else. If I have the knee mill I want, I would give it a go. So to save money, I will spend $10k or so - ha! I may try making some other parts and perhaps the pin so I will contact the person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted Saturday at 05:18 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 05:18 PM There would be a lot more demand for Cota linkage dogbones, more of them out there and the expensive stock part gets smashed easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus54 Posted Saturday at 05:21 PM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 05:21 PM Just now, lemur said: There would be a lot more demand for Cota linkage dogbones, more of them out there and the expensive stock part gets smashed easy. I do not have one to model. I would certainly like to give it a go. If you have a damaged one you could send I could model and 3D print to verify dimensions. I will know more when I get quote for costs of getting them made. May just be too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted Saturday at 05:50 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 05:50 PM Titanium is the ultimate if you need to ask the price you can't afford it material. Cota dogbone is a super simple design, you could sketch it out on a table napkin and if you can machine 2 holes with accuracy it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus54 Posted Saturday at 05:54 PM Author Report Share Posted Saturday at 05:54 PM 2 minutes ago, lemur said: Titanium is the ultimate if you need to ask the price you can't afford it material. Cota dogbone is a super simple design, you could sketch it out on a table napkin and if you can machine 2 holes with accuracy it will work. Really need to have one to assure dimensions are correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemur Posted Saturday at 06:15 PM Report Share Posted Saturday at 06:15 PM (edited) 32 minutes ago, lotus54 said: Really need to have one to assure dimensions are correct. Found one. You don't happen to live in eastern Ontario do you, trials riding here tomorrow if you can join us. ... to machine a cota link you would require a billet measuring 30mm x 30mm x 102mm Edited Saturday at 06:28 PM by lemur added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotus54 Posted Sunday at 05:08 AM Author Report Share Posted Sunday at 05:08 AM I am in NW Washington State- right across from Victoria, BC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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