FoggyLog

Fri Dec 26th 2008 15:16:28: Mongoose Teocali Bottom Link Repair

The small linkage on the Mongoose Teocali near the bottom bracket unfortunately does not use sealed bearings. This means that however well you keep it greased the bearings soon go rusty and seize. After (almost) 3 years I've had 2 new linkages under warranty (due to frames breaking) and now the latest one is dead as well.

The first thing I did was check with a bike shop to find out how much a replacement part is. For the aluminium part plus bearings/bolts etc, they wanted £60! Knowing full well that it would only last a year, I decided it was worth speaking to some friends with workshop facilities to see if they could help.

The old bearings just push out of the linkage using a fly press and a suitable lump of metal. This leaves you with the linkage:

and a pile of rusty bolts and bearings:

The bearing surface is the "tube" which then slides over the long bolt. In my case the surface of the tube was deeply pitted and the bearing was no longer rotating which meant the tube was rotating on the bolt.

The repair solution we came up with was to machine a Peek 450G bush that pushed into the linkage:

We then cleaned up the bolt's surface and it all assembled together as follows:

This solution is currently undergoing long term testing.... so far so good!

UPDATE - 9/7/09 I've now been riding my Teocali with this modified linkage for well over 6 months and there is still no sign of wear on it. This repair has also been done for about a dozen other bikes and everyone seems very happy (see comments below and here). Therefore I'm happy to offer a manufacturing service for these bushes - just send me your linkage (with or without bearings) along with the two long bolts and I'll get a custom bush made up for your bike. The charge for this service is £35 including return postage etc. Email me for my address and more details.

Comments (27) | Permanent Link

i would be interested to here how your repair has faired over the winter months. i have an 08 tecali super and had to replace these bearings after 4 months, when i had a look one of the bearings had completely shattered.

Comment by john lodge at 20:49 on Mon 9 February 2009

I have to admit I've been pretty busy so far this year so have not had chance to go riding much, however I've not noticed any problems as yet - not had any play developing. Will have to take it apart and see if there are any signs of wear....

Comment by Gary at 23:59 on Mon 9 February 2009

As of 06/03/09 there are now two of us giving this solution a go.

So far so good - got through a wet 4 day weekend in Wales without issue.

Will add further posts later in the year

Comment by John B at 16:03 on Thu 12 March 2009

Is it all John's that ride Teocali's then?!

I've just had these bushes made up for my Teocali (many many thanks Gary & co!), installed them last week and first ride out its nice and solid!

I'll be keeping Gary up-to-date with how they perform but would highly recommend it to anyone with a Teocali at this point. The OEM solution is appalling, costs £30ish to fix for 6 months max - I'm confident this is a better solution.

I was also a 'nightmare customer' asking Gary loads of questions before sending it off and his quick responses were always 1st class. I'm an engineer you see, so I tend to over-analyse everything ;-)

Anyway, no need to pester him - I did it for you and I'm confident in this product!! Gary - thank you and I'll keep you informed...

John.

Comment by John K at 8:28 on Tue 7 April 2009

Got word of this great solution from John B and thought I'd better get one fitted. I've tested it out extensively on the trails of the 7 Stanes over Easter. The back end was solid and smooth throughout and gave me no trouble at all. Gary made extra effort to get the linkage sorted in advance of my trip and I'm very grateful for his swift work.

This is an excellent solution to solve the 'weak link' (ha ha) in the Mongoose Teocali set-up. I thoroughly recommend it.

Will keep you posted on any developments,

Martin B.

Comment by Martin B at 11:25 on Mon 20 April 2009

Hmmmm-looks like everyone is having the same problem - I've been waiting for replacement parts for a couple of weeks now (this will be the 2nd time i've had this part off- but i might just cancel that order. Would you need me to send the linkage through to you or could you have them machined and then posted out so i can fit myself and cut down any 'off the bike' time? My 'Cali is an 05 (bright yellow)and currently a bit 'Clunky'.

Comment by Ian Wheeler at 12:03 on Wed 22 April 2009

Hi Ian,

It's easier if you send the link to us. That way we can make sure it's a good fit to your linkage without excessive play on the bolt and also we have a tool made up for pressing the bearings out.

We try to get them back to you within a week, although if the workshop is busy, it may take 2 weeks.

Gary

Comment by Gary at 22:48 on Wed 22 April 2009

Very interested in this link mod...Couldn't get your email address to work though. Can you email me your address and any further details - Thanks

Comment by Lee at 12:28 on Mon 11 May 2009

Hi Lee,

Sorry - to stop spammers, you need javascript enabled to make the email link work! I've just sent you an email with my address details.

Gary

Comment by Gary at 12:33 on Mon 11 May 2009

Hey Gary - really need to get mine fixed ASAP. Could you e-mail me some contact details so i can get in touch. Cheers

Ian

Comment by Ian at 21:14 on Wed 13 May 2009

Hi Gary, could you send me over your e-mail and address so I can get my bottom link out to you for your mod plz. My link bearings are totaly shot and this sounds the better option to a replacement one.

Comment by Danny at 9:50 on Sun 14 June 2009

Hi Gary,

The linkage on my 06 Teocali Elite has started playing up recently, and your solution looks the wiser option to a standard replacement. If you could get in touch via email sometime with more info etc it would be much appreciated.

Ta.

Comment by Mike at 2:59 on Wed 17 June 2009

Hi Gary,

Another john with a teocali! Any chance you could send me your email address so i can sort out sending off my linkage to you.

Thanks

Comment by John at 20:01 on Tue 23 June 2009

i drilled out a hardened dowel which was 60mm long ground 6mm of each end to remove the case hardened ends then drilled and reamed 10mm thru the dowel

as the outer is hardened it is less likely to suffer form the brinelling effect where a stationary bearing is indenting into the surface this is the bush i used on my teocali until the frame cracked at the wrap around area by the rear shock

Comment by georgie at 8:41 on Wed 1 July 2009

Had this mod fitted for a couple of months now courtesy of Gary and this site. I can report no problems what-so-ever, with everything running smoothly after a decent hammering. I cant tell any difference between the new bushes and the original bearings (when working) but the bit i'm most pleased about is the piece of mind that it has given me.

Lee. Macclesfield

Comment by Lee at 12:40 on Sun 5 July 2009

Just an update on the linkage fitted 06/03/09.

Still performing perfectly after nearly six months during which I have ridden the following: Snowdon Summit, Hellvelyn Summit, South Wales: Brechfa, Cwmcarn, Afan (Whites), North Wales: Nant-y-Arian, Machynlleth (Mach 3 & Cli-machx), Coed-y-Brenin (Beast & Tarw), Marin, Penmachno, Coed Llandegla, Lakes: Whintlatter & Grizedale plus some XC, Scotland: Kirroughtree (Black), Dalbeattie (Red/Black), Glentress (Black), Innerleithen & Newcastleton plus several local rides to me.

Comment by John B at 17:12 on Sun 2 August 2009

Hi there. I have a mate out here in sweden whose rear linkage on his 07 Teocali has finally packed up after 18 months of hammer. He has been in touch with Evans, where he bought the bike, and they seemed quite happy to simply ignore him. Any chance we could send you the linkage from sweden? What will it cost? Hope you can help.

Comment by Ade Hanratty at 8:34 on Sun 16 August 2009

Hi Ade,

It looks like international tracked postage is about £7, so we could get a linkage repaired and posted back to you for an extra £5 bringing it to £40 all done. Unless you can sort out a GBP cheque, then I'd suggest using Paypal for payment.

Cheers,

Gary

Comment by Gary at 23:14 on Mon 17 August 2009

Hi Gary,

Just an update on the link repair form June. I've put it through its paces all summer and I've got to say I cant remember the back end ever feeling as smooth as is dose now. Top marks on the mod mate :D

Comment by Danny at 18:55 on Tue 15 September 2009

Hi Gary,

Just sent an email enquiring about this. Please get back to me with the details. I am glad to discover I'm not alone!

Comment by Chris at 20:31 on Sat 19 September 2009

Hi there,

As I've just read all the comments it seems pointless asking more questions, my teocali 07 elite is on the second lot of bearings so I'm gonna give this a go, could someone e-mail me back so I can get the goose running sweet again please!!!!!

Comment by Richard Hanstock at 15:27 on Tue 13 October 2009

Hi Gary,

I've got an '08 teocali which uses very small sealed bearings instead of the roller bearings on the earlier models. The end result is the same; bearings that fail within a few months. Would it be possible to machine smaller bushings to fit this design, or even perhaps drill out the link and fit your full-length bushings? I live in Australia so additional postage costs/times would be helpful. Thanks mate, your mod looks the goods!

Cheers, Steve

Comment by Steven Hinchliffe at 3:17 on Thu 31 December 2009

Please can I have details of your teocali lower ling bush mod. I am tired of replacing the bearings & tubes. + my bolts are starting to show signs of wear.

Kind Regards

John

Comment by John Paxton at 3:13 on Fri 30 April 2010

Hi Gary,

My sons Teocali bottom link has also died.

can you repair his please?

Regards

Laurence

Comment by laurence gerrard at 16:48 on Mon 17 May 2010

Just a quick report to say this link mod is perfect! Absolutely no play and despite all the 'industry blurb' saying you want cartridge/needle bearings instead of bushes as less stiction and therefore more responsive suspension...

BULL! I can't tell the difference; all I've got is peace of mind that the one major flaw of the Teocali is solved!! Love the bike! Cheers guys!

Comment by John K at 1:14 on Fri 11 June 2010

Hi i have just come across this on a hunt for new bearings for my 07 teocali super. Is it possable to have you send out the bit so i can fit it myself? Could you please email details about price and shipping and any other info please. Many thanks Brian

Comment by Brian C at 11:21 on Fri 2 July 2010

Hi Brian,

We can send the bushes out for you to fit, however we can't guarantee how well they will fit. This is because when you insert them in the link they compress slightly. We then ream out the hole to make sure there is a good fit with the long bolt. For this reason we recommend you send us the link to us.

The price is £35 which includes making, fitting and posting.

Gary

Comment by Gary at 19:04 on Fri 2 July 2010

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