Shock absorber rubber

thingiverse

Recently my old timer Jeep lost its vital rubbers that connect the shock absorber to the mounting pin. These parts are notoriously hard to find and our local dealers would rather sell the complete shock assembly for a hefty price. So I decided to print them myself using semi flexible TPE filament with remarkable success. The specific filament I used boasts a hardness of 45D, making it suitable for this application. However, please note that not all extruders can handle this type of filament, and Bowden extruders become particularly finicky. To overcome this limitation, I designed a modified part specifically for standard bowden extruders found on many budget-friendly delta printers. This modification enables the printing of flexible filaments using a bowden extruder, albeit at a significantly reduced speed. Achieving speeds of 1cm/s is possible, but I prefer to print at 5mm/s for more reliable results. This slower pace also allows the rubber to melt seamlessly into the previous layer, resulting in a sturdier and more technically sound part. The semi flexible TPE material performs well on a heated bed set to 50'C, with masking tape providing additional adhesion, and a thin spread of contact glue (the yellow sticky stuff used for gluing carpets or shoes) applied to the masking tape. Assembly: First, press the rubber through the shock absorber. It will compress and fill any gaps as you bolt it into place. The correct sequence is crucial: start with a large washer, then insert the rubber into the shock absorber, followed by pressing the shock over both mounting pins, another large washer, and finally secure everything in place with the nut.