2007+ Post Billet Link Mod Kit Suspension Failure

[ViperMan]

Thanks guys for the input thus far....I want to respond to a few of you:

First off, not sure if it will be of any use, but I'm going to call Yamaha customer support and see if they will cover any of this expense. These parts are less that 2 years old and a failure in my opinion is unacceptable (especially after having mod kit installed). Yamaha should own up to a weak design. By comparison my buddy has a '06 Nytro who rides the same as I. He has more miles and not 1 single failure of his rear suspension linkage or pivots. He has rebuilt shocks once. Do you guys know if Polaris, Ski-Doo and Arctic Cat riders experience these types of suspension failures too?


Cannondale27 - What washers are you speaking of? There are none shown where you describe, only on the inside of the rail which wasn't visible in my pic. Yes, I do have Hygear spring kit and also had them re-valve stiffer but the link kit was covered under warranty by Yamaha on my first failure 2 years ago at 1400 mile.

Yam177 - Good suggestion on bracing up the arm, will definitely do.

Bluesnow - I have had Hygear revalve for my weight and stiffer. Is Yamaha helping you at all with the repair on your 2nd failure? Or is it all out of pocket for you?

Ruckus - I am going to tell my tech your riding application and your success with reinforcement.

Thanks to all. Any others thoughts please chime in!

 

[Ruckus]

I know of no failures on AC and SD. My older brother is a Tech for Bombardier (he also has his own shop for multi-brands) and he's told me he has never seen a rear suspension failure in a Bombardier and just a few in Cats. Polaris and Yamaha rarely enter his shop, except for some older stuff.

 

[cannondale27]

Cannondale27 - What washers are you speaking of? There are none shown where you describe, only on the inside of the rail which wasn't visible in my pic. Yes, I do have Hygear spring kit and also had them re-valve stiffer but the link kit was covered under warranty by Yamaha on my first failure 2 years ago at 1400 mile.

Those washers belong on the outside since you have the update which includes some steel DLC coated bushings for the arm.Originally was washers on inside on 07's.Probably had nothing to do with your failure but could contribute to rails breaking there in future.Same mistake was done on mine.No instructions were included with the update kits just found error by looking at newer sleds so not really your shops fault.

Here is pic of correct washer placement.Also pic of the 2nd version of the updated arm.First version the double plated link attachment the double plate didnt go all the way to the tube.Not sure if any other differences.

 

[rotax454]

I have an 07 FX that currently has no rear suspension failures (very low miles). Give me a "bill of materials" and sources to do a complete rear suspension upgrade/rebuild to the best possible. Is Wooly's a supplier?

What parts are included in the Yamaha update kit? See link and for item numbers.
http://www.ronniesmailorder.com/fiche_s ... fveh=36961

 

[wayfastkev]

Personally mine hasnt broke yet (knock on wood). But this was a serious design flaw by Yamaha and they need to be held accountable. I feel sorry (and mad) every time I here of a out of warranty failure that some of you have had. I think Yamaha needs to be petitioned into court on this suspension issue and possible sued.

A full recall on all production Phazers is in order. Maybe that is what needs to be started on this site? I am a diehard Yamaha man my whole life! But the fact are the facts! They bought cheap weak material that doesnt hold up no matter how it is rode.

Nobody should buy a new sled and have to worry about when it is going to grenade, costing them time and money!

 

[Prav]

I have an 07 FX that currently has no rear suspension failures (very low miles). Give me a "bill of materials" and sources to do a complete rear suspension upgrade/rebuild to the best possible. Is Wooly's a supplier?

What parts are included in the Yamaha update kit? See link and for item numbers.
http://www.ronniesmailorder.com/fiche_s ... fveh=36961

When I said I bought Wooly's update kit... I actually purchased the updated parts off of Woolyviper's wrecked 07 sled.

 

[yam177]

990 miles of abuse on my sled no ssue yet. of course its braced up

 

[Bluesnow]

Viperman Yamaha has agreed to cover the parts but not the labor even though I have the Yamaha warranty. They were not going to cover anything until I called and complained about the purpose the the Yamaha warranty.

 

[cannondale27]

I have an 07 FX that currently has no rear suspension failures (very low miles). Give me a "bill of materials" and sources to do a complete rear suspension upgrade/rebuild to the best possible. Is Wooly's a supplier?

What parts are included in the Yamaha update kit? See link and for item numbers.
http://www.ronniesmailorder.com/fiche_s ... fveh=36961

There is probably some bolts I am missing but here is what I remember:
1
2#4's
5
2#6's
2#7's
28
29
30
31
32
From section 1
2#18's wheels

 

[rotax454]

[

Thanks Cannondale27. Your the man. Now that's using this forum to get the straight facts. Fantastic.

 

[ViperMan]

Well, after being told from Yamaha the pivot arm P/N 8GN-47331-02-00 was on back order until the 17th of this month (but they are unaware of failures existing.......yeah, OK), and not getting a straight answer from Tech support on the 2010 P/N 8GN-47331-03-00 fitting for sure, I ended up purchasing the entire billet link mod kit as it was immediately available. My dealer (Sled Shop Racing) out of Castle Creek NY was a big help to me on this and even discounted the price to just marginally over what I had been trying to purchase in piece parts, and just over their cost.......kudos to Matt. With such a short riding season I'm anxious to get this resolved ASAP and even if it cost me $300.

Thanks to all who had input regarding this. Wish me better luck with pivot arm number 3!

 

[cannondale27]

Take some pics so we can see if any changes were made.

 

[ViperMan]

Dealer installed the exact kit P/N 90891-50149-00 that was installed initially 2 years ago. The pivot arm in this kit is the original 2008 P/N 8GN-47331-00-00 so it is not the latest greatest P/N. Exactly what the difference are between 2009 P/N 8GN-47331-02-00 or the 2010 P/N 8GN-47331-03-00 I do not know and may never know. I just needed the damn thing fixed and got what was immediately available and what I knew would fit without issues. I plan to keep a much closer watch on all the welds with an inspection after each ride. Nor will I go 3500 miles between shock rebuilds again. I will plan on servicing shocks after each season as a precautionary measure. Incidentally the oil removed from shocks was dark and nasty looking and obviously in need of replacement Below is a pic of the new pivot arm I've installed. Trial run is scheduled for tomorrow.....wish me luck! See you on the trails!

 

[cannondale27]

Looks good.It looks like they extended the welds past the braces.A good welder I know said that helps prevent crack from forming by weld.Shcok service should also help.Good luck!

 

[Jeffz]

I'm glad I'll be putting an M10 in for next season, even though the updated arms were put in my 07 before I bought it.