VP Front Upper Link Mount

[Greatscott]

I need a little help with my VP Upper Link Mount for the front axle.

The first one I had I screwed up and the good people at VP sent me another, I'm having the same problem with the second one and don't want to screw it up the same way, so here is my problem:

I can't get the aluminum bearing carrier to seat properly in the base. I get it about half way in and stops, when I try to force it further the base digs into the carrier, pushing up material on the side of the carrier, making it more difficult to push in. On the first one, I tried using a bit of mechanical force to get it to seat, I couldn't get it to seat all the way. Give the quality of parts I have gotten from VP in the past, I am assuming I am doing something wrong and the parts are made properly.

Here is as far in I can get it without putting significant force on it:




You can't see it very well in this pic, but the sides of the carrier are marred where the base pushed the aluminum up:


Here is the first one, and how far I got the carrier in the base, I thought it might be enough so I installed it into my rig, the gears skipped turning the axle by hand, so I removed it:




So, what am I doing wrong, and how do I corrected it before I ruin a second one of these?

Thanks.

[eisman]

Jeez, I wish I had a good answer for you... I did a test fit of both my front and rear link mount bearing carriers and had no troubles at all. Mine never stayed in the link mounts long, as I'm using the VP top axle halves as well. I didn't have any issues like you're having. They were a snug fit, but slipped right in. I can send you my bearing carrier pieces if you want to give them a shot. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

[Jeepkid]

Got a small wire wheel for a dremal? Thats the best bet to take away the burs.

[Omega-Tron]

All I remember having to do was make sure that the bearing carrier was sliding straight into the upper link mount. If you get it just a bit off kilter it will catch on the sides of the link mount.

Maybe try lubing both pieces and sliding them together? Also try holding the bearing carrier on your finger tip and gently slide the link mount over it; my thought is that this may allow the bearing carrier to re-position itself if it's getting caught on the sides of the link mount. I think this is a similar method to how I put mine together.

[TSK]

If no fit, put spit.

Oh wait... That's the solution for another problem

[BurnLatex]

You could put the little piece in the freezer and the big piece in the toaster. It will fall right in. But I will bet it won't come out after that. I dunno.

[dude26]

Originally Posted by BurnLatex

You could put the little piece in the freezer and the big piece in the toaster. It will fall right in. But I will bet it won't come out after that. I dunno.

+1

[stubs179]

Use a little file or some sandpaper. I had to do it to both of mine. The bearing carrier looks like a shitty cast piece not machined like the rest of the mount.

[JeremyH]

BFH

[PipeDreams]

Ha ha BFH! Na I'd say a bit of sanding or a file and Kylie be easy to get in and out later.

[oneeye]

They must have had a bad run of one of these parts because both of mine just slid in. They need to be able to be removed if you upgrade to the upper axle half. like others have said just dremel or file it down till it drops in. Good luck

[tom@vp]

Scott send us an email, we will get this straightened out fast.

these should slip right in.

[Vp Monkey]

Hey Scot,

You have some bad luck

I went back to check a package and the first one I grabbed is doing the same thing. After inspecting under our micro scope and measuring it to our print and also going through a bunch of packages, I feel it is isolated to one run on the machine. We check parts off each run, but it is possible that someone checked a part and it was a good part, but a tool broke on the other parts.

Which explains why we are not getting any reports of this happening. We are looking for anymore of them in the packaging. And if I am correct, there will be less than 5 bad like this.

Shipping will be sending you another base, with the bearing support already installed into it.

[T3rry]

for VP admitting their mistakes and making another happy customer

[Greatscott]

Originally Posted by Vp Monkey

Hey Scot,

You have some bad luck

I went back to check a package and the first one I grabbed is doing the same thing. After inspecting under our micro scope and measuring it to our print and also going through a bunch of packages, I feel it is isolated to one run on the machine. We check parts off each run, but it is possible that someone checked a part and it was a good part, but a tool broke on the other parts.

Which explains why we are not getting any reports of this happening. We are looking for anymore of them in the packaging. And if I am correct, there will be less than 5 bad like this.

Shipping will be sending you another base, with the bearing support already installed into it.

Well, if it is going to happen, it will happen to me twice...

This is why I have no reservations buying VP parts, you guys are the best!!!

[PipeDreams]

That's top notch right there

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Vp Monkey

And if I am correct, there will be less than 5 bad like this.

I know of 3 others that have done the same thing, 1 switched to the aluminum axle so he went with the big bearing.

[TSK]

I better check out the ones I just picked up.

[Postclanker]

I've got spares if you need them...I don't use them...but the response from VP is why we spend money there....nice touch VP

[Rockies26]

I just picked up some mounts yesterday and my front one was the same but i filed it down to fit, Now i know why it didn't fit (hope i don't have issues later)