2018 Sidewinder LTX 137" Suspension issue

[cannondale27]

Here you go guys.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18FwKp5MdeBMXuSu99PI-afan69ubAux2/view?usp=sharing

 

[VX1R]

Here you go guys.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18FwKp5MdeBMXuSu99PI-afan69ubAux2/view?usp=sharing

Thanks for taking the time to post the link Steve. I've always carried a rubber mallet with me on trips for just this problem.

Probably chat with you this weekend during the SnoX races at Canterbury Park.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

The trick with the hill is to go faster, and try to miss at least half the garbage...wear and tear reduced 50%! That place can get knarly for sure! Good workout, especially 2 up!! Neat thing about the hill seasonals, at least, the same nasty bumps appear in roughly the same places. I forgot about one heading back down north road...a real sharp edged deep one, just as I was passing a bud....thought I broke the apex in half...lol! SW does a nice job on them though...

We were running C5A from the Hook and Ladder to the Flat Rock Inn. That wide #*$&@ trail was a mess from edge to edge. Got sick of it after a mile and just sent it.

 

[SumpBuster]

We were running C5A from the Hook and Ladder to the Flat Rock Inn. That wide #*$&@ trail was a mess from edge to edge. Got sick of it after a mile and just sent it.

Use Olin road from the hook and ladder? That will be garbage when the rest isn't bad...as if no one claims it for maintenance. And the 2 roads from Montague to Flat Rock get pounded..always.
Big snow softball game last year at the H & L! Sledders are the best!

 

[SPM]

So currently the sled has about 1400 miles on it and recently, the rear suspension started dropping under power. We rode up in the UP this weekend and the first half of the trip was perfect... no issues with the sled. The second half is when I noticed that the rear of the sled is sagging and really drops when I get on it. Plus, at 75mph+, the rear starts to drop hard under moderate acceleration. Its in my shop now thawing out but any ideas? Thinking I have a shock problem... I know I have read on here that a lot of people are changing the spring out on the center but not sure if that's my specific problem Anyone have this exact issue and if so, what was the culprit...?

I think I may have the same issue except my sled has .5 miles. NEW 2018 LTX LE, while I've been prepping this sled I often wondered why is the rear ride height so much lower on the winder with kashima QS3 versus my 137 cat with 3000 miles and standard QS3 that is also in my shop.
If I push down on the rear of the cat it has more resistance then fully rebounds. The winder pushes down extremely easy and does not fully rebound (2 inches less) unless I help it back up.
It feels like a shock issue to me, but with a half mile on it?? Is there a HUGE difference in valve from std QS3 to gold QS3 that I might be feeling?
Changing the adjustment knob setting does seem to work like it should. I have a trip planned for the weekend and I feel I have 3 options...1- ride it as it is and see what happens. 2-take the rear shock off my cat and put on the winder. 3- ride my cat. Hopefully it's nothing or a freak issue but I've never had one act like this before. I thought the Kashima were the better shocks...I'm not sure.

 

[Mototown]

I think I may have the same issue except my sled has .5 miles. NEW 2018 LTX LE, while I've been prepping this sled I often wondered why is the rear ride height so much lower on the winder with kashima QS3 versus my 137 cat with 3000 miles and standard QS3 that is also in my shop.
If I push down on the rear of the cat it has more resistance then fully rebounds. The winder pushes down extremely easy and does not fully rebound (2 inches less) unless I help it back up.
It feels like a shock issue to me, but with a half mile on it?? Is there a HUGE difference in valve from std QS3 to gold QS3 that I might be feeling?
Changing the adjustment knob setting does seem to work like it should. I have a trip planned for the weekend and I feel I have 3 options...1- ride it as it is and see what happens. 2-take the rear shock off my cat and put on the winder. 3- ride my cat. Hopefully it's nothing or a freak issue but I've never had one act like this before. I thought the Kashima were the better shocks...I'm not sure.

I willing to bet your nitrogen has leaked out of shocks , get them rebuilt.
I have a brand new 18 50th , they started bottoming way easier after I put 400 miles on the sled

 

[SPM]

That's what I am suspecting also. I was hoping to ride this thing at least ONCE before having to maintenance it. My cats have 3-4000 mi. on standard QS3 and still work perfectly. What's so special about the Kashima QS3 besides the rebound adjustment?

 

[cannondale27]

That's what I am suspecting also. I was hoping to ride this thing at least ONCE before having to maintenance it. My cats have 3-4000 mi. on standard QS3 and still work perfectly. What's so special about the Kashima QS3 besides the rebound adjustment?

Nothing compared to the standard qs3 rear. Switch them. If a qs3 loses its nitrogen charge the 3 position knob won't click. The center shock is where the difference is in my opinion. The little tender spring and crossover being the difference that matters. Or ice. Don't forget these are coupled skids.

 

[cannondale27]

That's what I am suspecting also. I was hoping to ride this thing at least ONCE before having to maintenance it. My cats have 3-4000 mi. on standard QS3 and still work perfectly. What's so special about the Kashima QS3 besides the rebound adjustment?

Also make sure the link rear shock goes to is not flipped. Have seen that a lot. Suspension will act just like you complained about and it will destroy the track.

 

[cannondale27]

Thanks for taking the time to post the link Steve. I've always carried a rubber mallet with me on trips for just this problem.

Probably chat with you this weekend during the SnoX races at Canterbury Park.

Cant wait! was talking to Kernz yesterday. He is all excited to try a few things. Hope Cat and Poo get it together and give Doo a run!
For you guys having trouble seeing from my link here it is. The extra weight in tunnel can be just like having dollies under the skis. Its a big deal.

 

[SPM]

Also make sure the link rear shock goes to is not flipped. Have seen that a lot. Suspension will act just like you complained about and it will destroy the track.

I know it's not ice, this machine hasn't seen snow yet and is in my heated shop.
I will double check the flipped link idea but I never had the skid out. I did unhook the front of the torsion springs to put 4th wheel kit in.
I added some more preload to front spring also, just like I've done to all my 137s.

 

[cannondale27]

I know it's not ice, this machine hasn't seen snow yet and is in my heated shop.
I will double check the flipped link idea but I never had the skid out. I did unhook the front of the torsion springs to put 4th wheel kit in.
I added some more preload to front spring also, just like I've done to all my 137s.

Well it wouldnt be the first QS3 I have seen shot from factory. Both styles. Does the adjuster still click?

 

[SPM]

Well it wouldnt be the first QS3 I have seen shot from factory. Both styles. Does the adjuster still click?

Yes, that feels normal. Nothing is flipped over as you mentioned either. The thing that really tipped me off on this is it doesn't fully rebound on its own like it should and feels spongy.
Thanks for helping.

 

[Teamsynergy]

Turned out to be a blown rear shock... thanks for the feedback guys...

 

[SPM]

Turned out to be a blown rear shock... thanks for the feedback guys...

I think I have the same issue on mine. Dealer doubts that's it because I haven't rode it yet. It definitely acts like bad shock I've had in the past.