Aftermarket A-arm durability?

[Kachess]

I just destroyed my right set of MPI 39" a-arms. After 8 rides in somewhat marginal snow my odds caught up with me. Hit a stump while climbing. Wasn't going that fast and did not get stopped too hard, but the a-arms crumpled. I've hit thinks pretty hard with my Holz 41" arms and they held up. A little prying and they were like new. I hit a rock and really slammed my stock arms. I was stopped dead and was thrown over the bars. The arms were only a little tweaked but the aluminum spindle housing was baddly bent. Had to replace it and the pivot bolts ($150). My question is, do I want arms that give away (MPI) or do I want to run something stouter (stock)? I'd hate to damage the a-arm mounting ears on the chassis. Any one have any experience?

 

[Rx1M5]

My preference would be to cave the a arm. Replacing the bulkhead half is way more work and $ cause chances are if you hit something hard enough to bend the bulkhead any arm you choose will also be destroyed anyways. Might as well have an arm that gives and saves your bulkhead.

 

[Frostbite]

Sorry to hear about your front end damage. I have bent my aluminum spindles several times as well. I replaced one (thank you Yamaha for providing it) and the other times I have put them in my arbor press and straightened them.
I just put on the Holz 41" front end. For my riding environment this is absolutely the best modification to date I have done to my sled. It rails like a stock car now but I haven't tried it off the trail too much yet (lack of snow).
My stock A arms and steering rods are on E bay now.

Frosty

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

Kachess, that's odd that you bent the a-arms. I have the MPI a-arms and hit a rock hard enough to bend the carbides on the bottom of the simmons skis. I too went over the bars as the sled stopped imediately (like you did with the holtz) but my spindles and a-arms are fine.

 

[bjowett]

Do myou have any pictures of the damage? I run the 45" versions and would be nterested to see where they failed.

 

[lancef53]

Blgs, with a hit that hard, you had to have bent the spindle housing, mine seem to bend if I look at them hard enough. You are lucky!!!

edit: I kant spel

 

[AaronBND]

Broken Bulkhead?

I would look really careful at the bulkhead to make sure you didn't break it. I smacked a rock a couple weeks ago (didn't even throw me into the handlebars) and broke my bulkhead and bent the sh*t out of my a-arms. Am in the middle of replacing it right now. It's like recycled beer can material. Cheesy!!

Aaron

 

[Kachess]

I priced a new MPI right side only. It was $300 vs $400 for both right and left. Am going to run the stock right arms till I make a decision. I rode today(in the rain) and couldn't even tell that I was lopsided. I didn't take a picture of the bent arms, but the spindle was staight up and down, and the bolts were the shape of "Z"'s. I tried to bend the upper back into shape but the welds cracked. The lower was beyond help.

I checked the bulkhead and it looks ok. How much does it cost to replace?

 

[bjowett]

My stock arms bent in the same manner, Z shaped bolts and all. IMO a couple ounces of 4130 gussets would be well worth the additional weight. Unfortunately it would destroy some of the heat treating.

 

[AaronBND]

Bulkhead

I checked into beefing up the bulkhead and they said the same thing. It would ruin the heat treating. I am glad I decided to change mine though. When you looked at it, it just looked like it was cracked, but their was actually a chunk missing above the a-arm you couldn't see. It was pretty easy to tear down (about 2 hours), but getting it out wasn't fun. They wanted like $1200.00 at the dealers. I bought a good one on ebay for $100 and than new a-arms off of here for $125. In the middle of trying to find some steel rivets local here. Still not together yet. Hopefully this weekend! Make sure to look it over good underneeth where the lower a-arm goes threw it.

Aaron

 

[Kachess]

Ouch!!! That looks like a nasty job. I think I'll order another pair of MPI arms. As expensive as they are, they gotta be easier to change than a bulkhead.

 

[muzzy]

I have over 3000 miles in one year on my sled ... I've been through two sets of arms, a stock shock busted spindles and bent simmons skis.. The 41" holz arms are holding up real well for me and you can order just one at a fair price. The aftermarket skid plate is a must have when you're manuvering through stumps and rocks.

 

[Trxster]

it is sad that MPI doesn't just charge $200 for 1 side if you are replacing....you might talk to them a bit more. I think it is great to make a profit but if they make $ by sellling for $400 a pair, $300 for one is raping you customers. Just my $.02.

T

 

[powder muncher]

Hope some MPI guys are on here" be fair guys" Support the guys that buy your stuff. We support you by buying your stuff.
My 2 cents wort