Hi there,

Just bought a 2009 XT660Z and love it.

The previous owner fitted lowering links on the rear suspension and I,m putting the originals back in. Here's the problem:

The bottom part looks fine with the metal sleeve flush in the oil seals but the sleeve in the top part of the linkage (on the swing arm) seems to stand proud of the seal by about a centimeter. Is this normal? Is there a spacer missing?

Cheers

John

Great bikes.... can you post a pic to show me what you mean?

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Previous bikes:TS50 - RD125LC - XT250 - ZXR750L3 - BMW 650 Funduro - BMW 1100GS - XT660Z Tenere

Hi Mike,

Here we go:
Picture 1 shows the left link in place with no washers or nuts. Top right bolt just above the chain is the one I am talking about.


Pictures 2 & 3 shows the link off and the bolt peeking out from the sleeve. It's this approx 1cm of sleeve that I feel should be covered by something.


Cheers
John

Something's wrong - do you have a workshopmanual?

I will pop out and take some pics of the standard set up for you to compare..

...and here you go...

Thanks so much for those photos. I haven.t got a workshop manual - really need the page showing an exploded diagram of the rear linkage.

Difficult to tell if you have spacers or not. You don't have a gauge to measure the diameter of the sleeve between the link and the swingarm do you perchance??!

Thanks again

John

Yes - I have vernier calipers here.

I'll try to measure the sleeve diameter between link and swingarm on right hand side of picture 4..

Give me a minute!

Outside Diameter = 17mm

I get 17mm as well, so no spacer. The nut and washer just thrust the link onto the end of the sleeve. Would have thought there was potential for play side to side but I'm no engineer.
enduro374, fabulous, thankyou. All power to the forum - it's proven it's value again!

* just don't take notice of the red markings: had this pic send to my dealer to explain which parts I needed...

HJ

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Riding the Mad Mule !! ... no more... went orange...