Anyone bent an A-arm? (warranty won't cover it)

[cannondale27]

Almost everytime I hit something hard enough to feel it bad in the wrists it bends a upper arm.Mostly dumb moves on my part such as breaking through ice and folding ski up so far it looks like it touched bumper.As long as those arms are I am surprised they hold as well as they do.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

I don't want to get off the subject of this thread but how is everyone bending these a-arms? I just bought a spare front end off and was wondering if I should keep it or sell it? any input is helpfull

Not off topic at all - I don't really know but I suspect that it happened when I hit a trench or two across the trail that should really have culverts but....... The impact was not at all severe but we had a long trip this weekend and stayed over two nights so a lot of gear packed on the sled probably caused a good bit of forward momentum when it struct an abrupt dip in the trail. Seems to be a weak spot on the Phazer/VL. I'll ask the dealer about this to see if it has been an issue but I'm not hopeful.

BTW, how much will a slightly bent arm (1/4") affect handling?

 

[blueironranger]

I don't want to get off the subject of this thread but how is everyone bending these a-arms? I just bought a spare front end off and was wondering if I should keep it or sell it? any input is helpfull

Not off topic at all - I don't really know but I suspect that it happened when I hit a trench or two across the trail that should really have culverts but....... The impact was not at all severe but we had a long trip this weekend and stayed over two nights so a lot of gear packed on the sled probably caused a good bit of forward momentum when it struct an abrupt dip in the trail. Seems to be a weak spot on the Phazer/VL. I'll ask the dealer about this to see if it has been an issue but I'm not hopeful.

BTW, how much will a slightly bent arm (1/4") affect handling?

as long as you still have some forward "rake" in the spindle you should be OK. I know I have more caster "angle" on one side due to a repaired lower arm but I can't feel any difference from right turn to left turn while riding.

 

[07fx4stroke]

I got a sweet deal on this front arms. Just wondering if I should keep them or sell them. I know I will have this seld for at least 10 more years! I love my ride my phazer gives me!!!

 

[Leno]

I have gone threw 3 a arms this year all the lower left I have changing them down to I science I cab have the old one off and the new one on in less then 15 minutes with out taking any price of plastic off the sled.
All I do is I take the rubber tie rod boot off and slide a wrence in along side the tie rod and use a ratchet on the bolt and it is loose and then do the same thing for when I have to tighten. The first time doing it that way can be tricky but I bent a wrench so it fits in there perfect.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

I have gone threw 3 a arms this year all the lower left I have changing them down to I science I cab have the old one off and the new one on in less then 15 minutes with out taking any price of plastic off the sled.
All I do is I take the rubber tie rod boot off and slide a wrence in along side the tie rod and use a ratchet on the bolt and it is loose and then do the same thing for when I have to tighten. The first time doing it that way can be tricky but I bent a wrench so it fits in there perfect.

"Practice makes perfect" as they say! 3 Arms eh, you must ride it like you stole it! You are the 1st one I seen to report bending the lower A-arm.

 

[Leno]

yeah I ride it very very hard lol I alway say ride her hard and live with no regrets. I feel like I have to push my sled to the complete max all the time lol but it gets very expensive lol

 

[BombaPolaYama]

Here is a picture of my bent upper left A-arm. Any thoughts on straightening and reinforcing?

 

[Mr E]

Here is a picture of my bent upper left A-arm. Ant thoughts on straightening and reinforcing?

Both of mine were a bit more bent than that. I used Cannondale's technique. With the arms mounted on the sled take a 2x4 and wedge it in the lower and push (front to back) straightened right up darn near like new.

Simple and quick, I got the toe out back too, shocks are back in the center of the space - all good.

 

[PattyJack]

Here is a picture of my bent upper left A-arm. Ant thoughts on straightening and reinforcing?

Both of mine were a bit more bent than that. I used Cannondale's technique. With the arms mounted on the sled take a 2x4 and wedge it in the lower and push (front to back) straightened right up darn near like new.

Simple and quick, I got the toe out back too, shocks are back in the center of the space - all good.

Same here!, and it worked perfect.

 

[snofreak500]

I bent both of mine last year... well just say that a snow drift landing Zone can be deceiving Darn Stumps
Now my bottom clicker on my shock wont turn and i dont want to pay the 500 dollars to replace the darn thing anyone know if a shock rebuild will fix this? the shock cycles fine?

 

[Weapon X]

If you want better arms in mountain width
http://timbersled.com/barkbusterAArms.htm

 

[hag000]

Anyone have a link, or pictures of what the "2x4" technique looks like? I am curious.

 

[boondoggle]

I've got a left lower and right lower available if anyone is interested. PM me.