AD Boivin ZX2 Durability & Performance Log

[kinger]

Figures that after all my suspension switches and changes my bar none favorite the ZX2 gets discontinued....bummer

Good thing they are nearly indestructible. Hygear did my shocks and got it right last year.

I went to 151 last year and this skid just cant get any better its amazing.

 

[stomper]

Yeah I feel the exact same way Kinger. I wonder what they call a long time. going to get realy tough if they do stop making parts to.

 

[ghost rider]

Yeah I feel the exact same way Kinger. I wonder what they call a long time. going to get realy tough if they do stop making parts to.

I guess we are in an exclusive club......---;-)

 

[stomper]

yep!!

 

[mdkuni]

ZX2 30,500 mile review!

Skid is still going strong. Put 6k+ on the skid in the Nytro last season. The ride was different as the Nytro seems to be lighter in the back end. I had the shocks softened twice to make the ride better. Second thing with the skid being in the Nytro is the bolts seem to loosen easier. I lost probably four bolts or so in the 24K that the skid was in an Apex. With the 6k on the Nytro I believe I lost three maybe four bolts last season. After talking to AD I increased the torque to 50 ft/lb for the tunnel bolts and started using red thread locker on the lower shaft that goes through the shocks. These two things seemed to have helped.

I did manage to break the original limiter strap last season. Snapped somewhere around 28k, not too bad! As mentioned in a previous post I also replaced both aluminum plates that have the shock adjustment access holes in them. They were both cracked. As always, I replaced several wheels as well as a set of brass shock bushings.

With the Nytro I was not able to run the track as loose and I went through hyfax much quicker. I actually could not get the track tight enough as it would still ratchet in certain situations. I installed a set of Wahl drivers for this season to fix that problem.

The skid shows some wear on the arms and rails as is to be expected. All small nicks and marks, nothing to worry about. From a distance you can hardly tell.

The news of the ZX2 no longer being produced probably bugs me the most. Can't imagine snowmobiling without a ZX2!

 

[DigitalFusion]

Love the update. 30K! Wow!

Im erked about them not making it anymore as well. I have my ZX2'ed apex up for sale and I really really really wish I didnt loose my stock skid to a faulty tailgate latch. I'd rather sell the apex without it and put the ZX2 into my phazer! Its too hard to find a complete skid for a decent price tho.

 

[mdkuni]

Seen some $700 monoshock skids on eBay. Would be a small price to pay to keep that ZX2!

 

[DigitalFusion]

agreed. problem is that I have seen them for 300 in decent shape in the off season, plus teh mono is worthless in my opinion. Im hoping the right buyer comes along who realizes 11K miles is not big deal, and wants to put something else in, and will buy it without the skid.

fingers crossed!

 

[ghost rider]

agreed. problem is that I have seen them for 300 in decent shape in the off season, plus teh mono is worthless in my opinion. Im hoping the right buyer comes along who realizes 11K miles is not big deal, and wants to put something else in, and will buy it without the skid.

fingers crossed!

Don't sell the zx2.... It took me two years to find one.... It just keeps getting harder to find them.

 

[DigitalFusion]

Don't sell the zx2.... It took me two years to find one.... It just keeps getting harder to find them.

I know, I looked for a used one for quite some time, before I gave up and plunked down the $ on a new one. I was lucky enough to get one before they discontinued them. Im dealing with an aluminum skid now in my phazer project, and it makes you really appreciate the durability of the ZX2. Egged holes, bent shafts, and cracked rails all with only 4K on it.

Still hoping someone picks up my sled without the skid, but starting to think I am going to have to go out and find a stock skid to put into her. Maybe the first 136'ed ZX2'ed phazer is in my future?

 

[mdkuni]

I broke another shock. It was actually the shock purchased to replace the last one I broke. There was only about 7,500 miles on it and was serviced about 1,300 miles ago. It appears the bolt snapped just like my last failure. I was about 70 miles from home when it failed so the piston probably bent on the ride home.

I sure would like to know what is causing this to happen.

 

[BigDog05]

mdkuni: Sorry to hear, did the broken shock destroy the track? If you remember I had a shock break that was serviced 62 miles earlier. That is when Boivin told me that the shock broke because it was serviced by someone that didn't know how to properly assemble. Wonder it there was a bad group of bolts used when new.

 

[mdkuni]

mdkuni: Sorry to hear, did the broken shock destroy the track? If you remember I had a shock break that was serviced 62 miles earlier. That is when Boivin told me that the shock broke because it was serviced by someone that didn't know how to properly assemble. Wonder it there was a bad group of bolts used when new.

Fortunately it did not damage the track this time. The boot held the assembly from falling onto the track. If it was a service issue, you would think both shocks would fail. Really sucks not knowing what is causing this. Now I just worry that it will fail again.

 

[stomper]

Is there an after market shock that would fit the zx2. Whats so special about the G Force shocks. I have been researching the crap out of alternate parts sources such as idler wheels, hyfax and other stuff. It sounds like the springs from the front shocks of the rx1/apex will work for softer springs.
You won't regret it. I've had Franks do my mono and this past summer do my ZX2 shocks for the same reason. So far with very, very limited riding, they seem way better. I had extremely stiff springs though. Couldn't make it squat at all when on it.

Zapex wrote:
"Believe it or not I actually put the springs from my old front shocks on the ZX2 shocks. Almost a perfect fit. Just a bit softer. So far so good."

I will be sending my shocks out for a revalve and will take measurements to see if something else will fit. It concerns me that since they are not making these skids any more that it won't be long for parts to become unavailable.

 

[guardrail]

ZX2 30,500 mile review!

Second thing with the skid being in the Nytro is the bolts seem to loosen easier. I lost probably four bolts or so in the 24K that the skid was in an Apex. With the 6k on the Nytro I believe I lost three maybe four bolts last season. After talking to AD I increased the torque to 50 ft/lb for the tunnel bolts and started using red thread locker on the lower shaft that goes through the shocks. These two things seemed to have helped.

Have you ever tried nord locks?
http://www.nord-lock.com/products/multi ... roduction/

Since I used them, I've never had a bolt come loose on this skid