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A suspension that can move freely without restraint is a happy suspension, and a happy suspension means that you transfer as much power as possible to the racing surface. To help the suspension move as designed, you need rod ends with fully functional bearings that are lined with PTFE. In order to learn more about what PTFE lining is and how to ensure it works properly, we talked with John McCrory of Aurora Bearing Company.

The metal races in rod ends require some type of lubrication to prevent metal-to-metal friction-this is where PTFE linings come in. Cover the area between the bearing and the rod end joint itself. This makes the PTFE liner a dry lubrication that does not require much maintenance (if any) to keep the bearing moving freely in the rod end joint. The lining is a composite material made of PTFE material and a fabric that uses PTFE as a lubricant-the fabric provides compressive strength to the bearing.

Teflon lining is very durable, which is why it is a good choice for suspension parts because they are exposed to the elements. McCroy provided some additional details about these pads.

"By its very nature, PTFE lined bearings are very resistant to dirt. No cleaning makes them "self-wiping". The bearing surface remains dry when lubricated by the liner, so it does not attract dust and grit like traditional lubricating parts. Once formed Clearance, the device may suck dust between the ball and the lining. However, the bearing may need to be replaced at this time. In terms of liquid contaminants, the use of strong acids such as nitric acid and sulfuric acid must be avoided, and strong alkaline fluids should also be avoided. Most organic compounds and solvents have little effect."

The PTFE lining makes the bearing in the rod end bearing self-lubricating, so traditional forms of lubrication are not required. When you add extra lubricant to a PTFE lined bearing, it actually prevents the PTFE liner from working. Substances such as oil, grease, or moisture/corrosion inhibitors can negatively affect the performance of PTFE linings.

"When lubricant is introduced, the lubricating film formed between the ball and the bushing acts as a barrier to the polishing action. The movement between the two surfaces can remove the exposed PTFE from the liner surface, but the material will not stick or polish to The surface of the ball. Eventually, the wear surface of the lining may remove all exposed PTFE material. At this time, the coefficient of friction between the uncoated ball and the wear surface of the bushing will increase dramatically. In some cases, lining debris will interact with The lubricants combine to form a material paste, which accelerates liner wear," McIlroy explained.

So, as you can see, Teflon lining is not a fancy technical sales term used to make racers buy things they don’t need. It is important to read the instructions on how to maintain the PTFE lined bearings in the suspension components to make them work properly. To learn more about PTFE liners, check the Aurora Bearing website here.

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