2 questions re: steering free play and rear suspension

Jojack

Newbie
Joined
Nov 22, 2011
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Points
131
Location
Saskatchewan
Hello. Ive been getting my 09 apex ready for the upcoming season. i went for a pre season spin and noticed 2 possible issues. It seemed like my steering has excessive free play. How much free play is normal? My second issue is that when I sit on my sled the rear suspension compresses to a normal level but when i get off it does not return. After i ride i have to lift the back end of my sled to bring it back up. Any ideas about what could be causing this or how i could remedy this problem. Thanks for the help
 
Had a pretty good look today. Didn't see anything obvious. Any trouble shooting advice so I can figure out which one is causing the issue?
 
The slop in the steering is there when it is new and grows every year. The most common culprits are:

little dog bone that connects the horizontal shaft to the drag link
front end bushing, install an ulmer bushing kit and grease fittinging
the tie rod end attached to the handle bar shaft. This rod end is not serviceable without removing some stuff and is mounted cup side up so it catches every drop of water that falls in it from melting snow, rain and cleaning the sled.
also, all 4 of the steering shaft bushings get play in them over time. OFT makes blocks to replace three of them if money is no object, or you can shim the stock ones tight by grinding a small amount off of the metal collars the bolts go through. caution, don't get this too tight. While in these, you can add grease fittings in the top plate. Use very light grease or vasaline. These stay cold, hard grease makes it steer hard.
the fourth bushing can be tightened by laying thin pieces of tin behind it and bolting back in. it will shrink the bushing around the shaft. another great place for a grease fitting.
Hope this gets you on the way.

the skid may have a few issues, loose bushings cause you to have decreased travel. You can replace but hey will be loose even when new. They need to be shimmed tight.
The sticking thing might be dried up grease or you got a bad shock, bent shaft, damaged body.
 
I have the same issue with my rear suspension even after having my shock rebuilt. Any reasons why or remedies?
 


Back
Top