2007+ Post Billet Link Mod Kit Suspension Failure

[ViperMan]

Hey Guys,
Had my 2007 FX out Saturday and discovered a serious failure after very bad pogo stick handling, and returning home to clear all the ice buildup. My Pivot 1 Arm's left tube has sheared completely in half. My sled had the mod kit done at 1400 miles under warranty (had shocks rebuilt at that time as well). This is the kit that replaced the original steel bracket where the rear shock was attached on the bottom. It was replaced with a solid billet link (or bracket) and several other parts including the pivot arm which I broke and shafts and numerous other parts I'm told. The kit Part Number they installed was 90891-50149-00.

I now have 4885 miles on the sled and wonder if the shock failed first and caused the arm to break, or if a crack that had slowly developed just finally worsened and failed all together. I knew something was wrong but wasn't sure until evaluation. With 3500 miles since last shock rebuild, was this to far without another rebuild? Is the increased billet strength at the link now causing other related part failures? For the record, I ride hard and fast but at 47 years old am not snowcrossing or attempting X-game stunts.

I'm told this kit included the same parts they started putting on 2008 models so I assume I can simply look up replacement parts from a 2008 catalog, correct? Have any others out there with the billet link had this same type of pivot arm failure? I appreciate any input, including center and rear shock rebuild intervals. After numerous failures on my SRX, my Viper, and now the 2nd failure on my Phazer, it's beginning to get quite disappointing. I'm starting to think I might need to go to the new Polaris Rush to avoid these expensive and frustrating set backs! Thanks much.

 

[Ruckus]

Same thing with mine. I'm thinking the stronger link is causing the H arm to fail. That looks like the updated arm, too. Mine was just replaced along with the left rail, which cracked at the spot where the bolt attaches the H arm to the rails. That's an impressive break!

 

[ViperMan]

Same thing with mine. I'm thinking the stronger link is causing the H arm to fail. That looks like the updated arm, too. Mine was just replaced along with the left rail, which cracked at the spot where the bolt attaches the H arm to the rails. That's an impressive break!

Indeed, my first thought once the billet link was installed was "what's going to break now?". I too am on my 2nd set of rails, which I found on here used (fella made a long track out of his sled) considerably cheaper than the $228.00 retail each Yamaha wants. That and a $255.00 pivot arm starts to add up quick! I've always said" if ya wanna play ya gotta pay", but it's always easier saying it to someone else instead of having to do it your self!....LOL!

 

[fraolib]

just happened to mine also but worse

 

[woolyviper]

i had the link and suspension update in my 07 back in early 08 when the link broke - it included the link - the front arm and the wheels by the arm. i rode about 3000 miles after install without any more problems.

 

[Prav]

I bought Wooly's updated link kit with 3000 miles on it and have put another 750 on it.

 

[ViperMan]

just happened to mine also but worse

Yikes! Did anything else break as well? Do you think it's repairable or must the arm be replaced? I'm hoping mine can be repaired (welded)....guess I'll find out. Were you a victim of a weekend ride at Tug Hill as I was?

 

[ViperMan]

I bought Wooly's updated link kit with 3000 miles on it and have put another 750 on it.

You have a link to the Wooly's kit? I'm not familiar with that one.

 

[Ruckus]

I'd slide a larger diameter tube up the arm, tack it together and smooth the welds, slide the tube over the crack and weld it in place over the break. Might be a good idea to cut the other side and do the same.

 

[Ruckus]

For the record, I ride hard and fast but at 47 years old am not snowcrossing or attempting X-game stunts.

I ride the same. Yesterday I was bombing down the trail (flat light) launched out of a whoop and landed smack into another one almost throwing me over the bars. Thankfully the front suspension took the impact and not the rear. I was worried about damage but there was none, thank Jebus.

 

[phaze5]

ask rigidone, he was following me when he broke his, made for a slow ride off the hill lol

he was saying in the am how he wanted to get his replaced, i took care of that for him

 

[fraolib]

just happened to mine also but worse

Yikes! Did anything else break as well? Do you think it's repairable or must the arm be replaced? I'm hoping mine can be repaired (welded)....guess I'll find out. Were you a victim of a weekend ride at Tug Hill as I was?

no i was only in greenwich when it happened. but all the shock pressure is on that arm so when it broke it shot rite up and cut some of the nubs that the drivers are on to turn the track. and also when that arm is up there is no track tension so we had a little strap from another guys sled thats supposed to be used to start the sled on the primary, we had to tie the arm down and around the front shock to get back home

 

[Bluesnow]

The front arms are still breaking. my Phazer is at the dealer currently to have the front arm replaced for a second time. Yamaha has a updated arm for the 2010 models which is supposed to address this. Yamaha stated the failure is do to bottoming out of the suspension. In speaking with Hygear Suspension they indicated revalving the shocks stiffer helps.

 

[cannondale27]

Viperman I see you have the Hygear springs on center shock.Is the whole Hygear kit which captures the link in there?Looks like 177's reinforcement mod is a good idea.Just had my skid out though.Nothing cracked but sure looks like its only a matter of time once again.Thanks for posting Viperman.

I see you are also missing the big washers that are normally under the bolts that attach arm to rails.Could twisting be happening?

 

[yam177]

I have 600 miles of hard CC racing on my arm no damage yet. Just brace them up and they are good to go. I am going to be sending this info to Yamaha's Enginnering department