06 Apex GT front shock setup

[madlar]

I've read a bunch of threads concerning how to dial in the suspension setup on the GT...example:

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... adjustment

After finally getting the chance to put some miles on it (bought it last Spring), I decided that my first course of action would be to reduce the front shock preload to the minimum setting (as well as tighten the limiter strap one setting). For the 06 Apex GT the shop manual says 10.12 inches max for the spring seat distance for the front shocks.

When I was riding two weeks ago I noticed that my locknuts were at the top of the shock. I tried to move them while on the trail but couldn't. When I went to do the adjustment (today), I measured the the spring preload distance (8.8 inches), which is way less than the minimum distance of 9.57 inches...I can't budge the locknut (almost impossible to get the c-tool on the nut and it won't budge..). I will have to take the shock off to get at it.

My question is...is this typical or did my dealer not do any pre-purchase setup? Once would be strange....but I also bought an 06 Vector GT from the dealer (last spring) and the locknuts are also in the same position and the preload is below nine inches...same deal with the locknut being like cement.

My monoshock preload looks to by way off as well....

Just wondering if this is typical or if I should go back to the dealer and tell them to set it up to factory specs...

Thanks for any input...

 

[viperyder]

I've read a bunch of threads concerning how to dial in the suspension setup on the GT...example:

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... adjustment

After finally getting the chance to put some miles on it (bought it last Spring), I decided that my first course of action would be to reduce the front shock preload to the minimum setting (as well as tighten the limiter strap one setting). For the 06 Apex GT the shop manual says 10.12 inches max for the spring seat distance for the front shocks.

When I was riding two weeks ago I noticed that my locknuts were at the top of the shock. I tried to move them while on the trail but couldn't. When I went to do the adjustment (today), I measured the the spring preload distance (8.8 inches), which is way less than the minimum distance of 9.57 inches...I can't budge the locknut (almost impossible to get the c-tool on the nut and it won't budge..). I will have to take the shock off to get at it.

My question is...is this typical or did my dealer not do any pre-purchase setup? Once would be strange....but I also bought an 06 Vector GT from the dealer (last spring) and the locknuts are also in the same position and the preload is below nine inches...same deal with the locknut being like cement.

My monoshock preload looks to by way off as well....

Just wondering if this is typical or if I should go back to the dealer and tell them to set it up to factory specs...

Thanks for any input...

hey mad ,question
the nut you talk about that you cant loosen,your not talking the top "nut" on the top of the shock are you?
if you are ,thats not the right one
the one you want is the second "nut" down from that one.lift the front end
and it should loosen, mine was easy,its only aluminum...thats the (lock nut)
and under that one (closest to the spring)is the adjuster
mine is set so with the front end up ,loosen the adjuster nut so the spring is just about "jiggling" with no tension,then measure down from the top nut next to the top of the shock ,and make both the same ,its around 2 inches....
funny i just came across a kid trying to do what you want to do ,trying to loosen the top "nut" closest to the top of the shock,its a easy mastake
if this is not your problem,disregard,just trying to help,say what others on this site told me about what they found ,and i agreed with
gary~

 

[madlar]

Thanks!

You saved me some embarrassment

Just strange to me to have a top nut (fixed) looking like a double locking nut.

 

[nate007]

Just to add my .02- I got a chance to put about 100 miles on my newly adjusted suspension after doing just what you are doing now, madlar. Let me tell you, if you set your front end so the A-arms are just about level, and the compression adjusters somewhere in the middle (about 18-20 clicks), the rebound out about 8 clicks, the limiter strap tightened one hole, and the rear spring set for your weight, you will have a sled that will really open your eyes! This machine really responds well to adjustments! My sled rails the corners like never before! I still want to add the 13mm sway bar, but I am very happy with the way it rides now! Even with the A-arms level and riding a drifted out trail with 2 foot moguls, I never bottomed the front shocks.
You'll be a happy rider.
Nate

 

[madlar]

Yhea, that's what I'm thinking! Thanks for the dial tips. Plan on also getting triple points, shims, and savers. I put the large spring in the rear before picking it up last spring (mistake). At the time I weighed about 275, now down to 205...No sag to speak of. So I'm going to swap out the spring, get rid of the darting, and get her to rail. Still thinking about the 13mm...

Just to add my .02- I got a chance to put about 100 miles on my newly adjusted suspension after doing just what you are doing now, madlar. Let me tell you, if you set your front end so the A-arms are just about level, and the compression adjusters somewhere in the middle (about 18-20 clicks), the rebound out about 8 clicks, the limiter strap tightened one hole, and the rear spring set for your weight, you will have a sled that will really open your eyes! This machine really responds well to adjustments! My sled rails the corners like never before! I still want to add the 13mm sway bar, but I am very happy with the way it rides now! Even with the A-arms level and riding a drifted out trail with 2 foot moguls, I never bottomed the front shocks.
You'll be a happy rider.
Nate

 

[nate007]

I bottom out without the big spring and am thinking about adding it to mine, because I'm #225+ with gear and I like to ride hard. Want to trade springs? I just had my shock replaced under warranty and it might have about 250 miles on it.
However, I did snowcheck a NytroRTX, so I am still debating leaving my Apex alone so my wife can ride it easier, but for the few times she would ride it, I'm sure she could deal with my setup!????
Nate

 

[madlar]

Nate,
I thought I needed the big spring too...I ride hard (minus 8 knee operations), but what I found was that the machine had no sag to speak of and was a bear to handle on the trail....Now I know I need to do some adjustments (and I'm doing them this week)...but the regular spring just felt "better," especially if you're going to do +200 miles a day.

We'll see about the swap...at the moment I'm looking at getting a new enclosed trailer and want to negotiate with the dealer, so I may throw that in with the mix...

I bottom out without the big spring and am thinking about adding it to mine, because I'm #225+ with gear and I like to ride hard. Want to trade springs? I just had my shock replaced under warranty and it might have about 250 miles on it.
However, I did snowcheck a NytroRTX, so I am still debating leaving my Apex alone so my wife can ride it easier, but for the few times she would ride it, I'm sure she could deal with my setup!????
Nate

 

[viperyder]

hey nate and mad
i installed the 13mm sway,and have everything done that you speak of mad, shims, triples, with a revalved rear bigger shock,and WOW!
sled is great!!!!
just one question nate, are your front a arms really level at 2 inches from top shock "nut"
i made mine jigle ,without load ,and there still not level
interesting...
gary~

 

[nate007]

I don't see where I posted the 2" thing but I could be mistaken here. Actually, if I remember right, I think I hooked a tape measure on the top of the top nut, adn measured 1 1/4" to the top of the adjuster, and I am just above level. I thought about lowering it some more, but now I am scared to jump it as much. Don't get me wrong, I haven't bottomed out yet, and rode the hell out of it for about 100 miles of drifted trails. These were some pretty nasty moguls, and I never bottomed it once. By looking at the shock, would guess there is about 2 1/2 " of travel left, but even if I stand on the bumper and jump on it, I can't get it to bottom out. I don't expext to have any problems, but I would like to find something with some more travel. I'll gladly give up some hang time to keep it handling like it is now, though. I love it, and still haven't done the sway bar yet!
Nate

 

[nate007]

I posted some pics in the sled garage forum, but this one shows the angle of the arms.
Nate

 

[viperyder]

thanks bud
i'm gonna try 1 1/4,
gary~

 

[madlar]

Just backed off the pressure on the front shocks to near level on the a-arms (can't get level - springs too loose) and backed off the mono (still with the big spring) so I get 40mm of sag. What a difference!! The machine sits completely different now...unfortunately, it will be next season before I can dial it in...Phoenix bound next week, then Hatteras...

 

[madlar]

Nate,
Get the big spring...I decided to keep mine (now that I have correct sag)...

 

[rehm70]

Depending on your weight, I think the big spring alone will ONLY help bottoming. I know I have a problem with it kicking back on the rebound stroke, so I am going to have my shock revalved.

The more preload I put into it, the rebound is proportionitely worse.

 

[manotickmike]

Good thread.
I just replaced my GYTR shocks. I tried backing the adjusters off until there was no preload, (almost a jiggle) and set the sled down, on the garage rollers, so there's no bind. Not level at the A arms. Just to be sure, the level A arm thing is with the sled without rider? My experience with coil-overs is that you don't want any play between the spring and the seat, even unloaded.