07 RTX- New bushings ALL Around

[sherlock29]

So... i have my 07 apex RTX in the garage.. replacing as many bushings as i can find wore and there's alot..and other stuff... what is replaced/being replaced;

-all rear suspension bushings
-new front arm
-shocks sent to SHOCKTEC for rebuild
-upper/lower contol arm bushings
-Bulkhead bushings(they were completely gone)opps!
-all new bearings in chain case
-new speedo bearing
the list goes on!!!!!!!

I guess a question/comment.... I am a anal SOB when it comes to sled maintenance.. ie; grease oil etc... all the time... but one thing that bothered me the most... was the "bulkhead" bushings for the upper/lower control arms were litereally gone.... a few bits of plastic/powder. i knew the arm bushings needed replacing... but was surprised on how good of shape everything was until i pulled the big bolts out...and saw them. has anybody else seen this?

oh ya,,,, i bought the sled in 08 (2 winters of driving) 9000 miles..

cheers
jason

 

[fastjeffy]

I' m in the process of changing all bushings and bearings on my sled also and have found the bulkhead bushing to be completely worn out. I would recommend getting ulmers oilite bushings. also just had my shocks rebuilt and revalved by frank at shocktec, great service and very happy with his work. Jeff

 

[quebec#1]

Just had most of what you did done incl a new starter at 7000 miles.

 

[johnketch]

I just pulled out all of my bushings at 2,200 miles
most were loose (they had a little slop)
but two of the bushings in the frame were worn paper thin on one side.

 

[ahicks]

Regarding the front end bushings, bought Ulmer's kit and just started on this. Didn't realize what I was getting in to I don't think. I have the easily removed plastic off, so I have access to the front of the A-arm bulkhead bolts. The question is, what do I remove to get access to the nuts on the backside? Air box? Oil pan cover? Or must I drill out all the pop rivets to remove that last piece of plastic? How did you guys do it? Thanks, -Al

 

[spddmon]

to get at the a arm retaining bolts you must remove the airbox,battery and battery box they are quite easly accessed after that ps while youre in there you can lube the steering mecanisim down there also

 

[ahicks]

to get at the a arm retaining bolts you must remove the airbox,battery and battery box they are quite easly accessed after that ps while youre in there you can lube the steering mecanisim down there also

Cool. I was hoping it wasn't going to get too ugly. Yes, looking forward to getting at that steering. Thinking I have something going on there (slop) I want to deal with. Thanks Much! -Al

 

[sherlock29]

Yes once you have the airbox/battery/battery bracket its a joke!!!... once your in there... may as well do the oil filter as well... perfect time to do it! lube and grease as many of your moving parts while your in there for your steering nuckles...

I was noticing that Ulmers bushing kit does not have the Bulkhead bushings in it.. just the outter and innner control arms??!! is there another kit for the bulkhead?

jason

 

[Ported Hornet]

Yes once you have the airbox/battery/battery bracket its a joke!!!... once your in there... may as well do the oil filter as well... perfect time to do it! lube and grease as many of your moving parts while your in there for your steering nuckles...

I was noticing that Ulmers bushing kit does not have the Bulkhead bushings in it.. just the outter and innner control arms??!! is there another kit for the bulkhead?

jason

According to his web site his bushing kit does include bulk bushings

 

[Kaz]

I replaced the front end bushings with Ulmer's kit this year after 8,000 miles.

The only bushings that really needed replacing were the A arms @ bulk head, especially the rears. I have read if you grease them once in a while they will last, maybe that's why the 2010 sleds now come with grease nipples.

Kaz

 

[sherlock29]

Yep my bad!!! ulmers kit comes with all bushings!!! well lots of grease and some routine spray thru the winter... if i can get another 9000 out-of-em i'll be pushing the 20000 mile mark...

thanks guys!!!!
jason

 

[kinger]

A grease zerk on the a arm in the middle would help a lot, when i service the bushings I will add it then. Cant believe they let it run dry every a arm mount I have seen as a zerk in it from the factory.

 

[big_red1a]

So... i have my 07 apex RTX in the garage.. replacing as many bushings as i can find wore and there's alot..and other stuff... what is replaced/being replaced;

-all rear suspension bushings
-new front arm
-shocks sent to SHOCKTEC for rebuild
-upper/lower contol arm bushings
-Bulkhead bushings(they were completely gone)opps!
-all new bearings in chain case
-new speedo bearing
the list goes on!!!!!!!

I guess a question/comment.... I am a anal SOB when it comes to sled maintenance.. ie; grease oil etc... all the time... but one thing that bothered me the most... was the "bulkhead" bushings for the upper/lower control arms were litereally gone.... a few bits of plastic/powder. i knew the arm bushings needed replacing... but was surprised on how good of shape everything was until i pulled the big bolts out...and saw them. has anybody else seen this?

oh ya,,,, i bought the sled in 08 (2 winters of driving) 9000 miles..

cheers
jason

I have been dooing the exact same
I added grease zirks to the a-arms and powdercoated them
powerdercoated rear suspension
shoc tec rebuild 3 shocks and revalve rear shock with heavier spring
4 cracks weleded on bulkhead
ulmer oilight bushings
new a-arm bent other one pressed straight
weld steering knuckle
boogie wheels
13mm sway bar and bushings
snoweliminators
seat repair
exhaust donuts posible y-pipes
speedo and jackshaft bearings
oil change
hyfax
several spacers and bushing on front and rear suspension
lower a-arm bolts bent
lower shock bolts bent
steering bushings
handle bars (ok i bent those lol!!)
forgot half of it!

Seems like a lot of maintenance for 3000miles

 

[sherlock29]

Big-Red1a... did you have a little off trail accident? How did you have 4 cracks in bulkhead, and bend break so much... i have just under 9000 HARD miles on my RTX and i have basicly desdroyed my rear suspension... i have new arms/shocks/bushings etc.. going on but didnt have anything bent in the front end!!... where are the cracks? do you have pics to share with everyone... mines still all stripped and would like to inspect to make sure i dont have any OMG's!!

cheers
jason

 

[quebec#1]

Funny thing is that they improved on most of the above for 2010 and now that they got it right its time to for a radical change for 2011 ?