Bars are crooked..... HELP

[aftica24]

Got new 06 apex rtx home today and noticed when skis are straight bars are not! How do I adjust? Could there be something wrong??

New to this Site and yamaha. Thanks for the help

 

[ecopter]

Easiest way is to remove the seat and fuel tank to access the steering linkage. From there, you'll need to loosen the locknuts on the linkage directly above the sheet metal that covers the exhaust headers. Once loosened, you can turn the linkage in whatever direction is necessary to straighten the handlebars while the skis are straight. Don't forget to tighten the locknuts.

It may be possible to move the fuel tank out of the way enough to get to the linkage, but be careful not to stress the components of the fuel pump. It's easier to remove it.

Jon

 

[APEX 06]

How far are they off. It could be that you need new bushings.

 

[aftica24]

they are off less than half inch

 

[aftica24]

they are off less than half inch

 

[APEX 06]

Sounds about right, but mostly need new bushings.

 

[Grimm]

Sounds like you need to do a ski alignment. Here is a link to a tech page which better explains whats needed.
http://www.totallyamaha.com/snowmobiles ... gnment.htm

If you search this site, you could also find a service manual that will save you a lot of time and money.

 

[ecopter]

These sleds are notorious for having the handlebar alignment off. Straight out of the crate! When going down the trail dead straight, the handlebar will typically be canted a bit to the left. I've never understood it. I had to realign my new '06 Attak, and also my new '11 Apex. Bushings will not cause this; the linkage does. If your bushings have a half inch of play, then it could be left of center a half inch, or left of center a quarter inch while being a quarter inch right of center at the same time, or right of center a half inch. If your alignment's off, then your handlebar will be off in a direction other than straight. Hard to explain, but you'll have to determine what's wrong.

Best thing to do is put the sled on the ground and make sure the skis are unable to turn (restricted from movement). Set them straight and see where your handlebar is. If you're able to turn the handlebar slightly from a bit left to a bit right, then you probably should replace the bushings. If you can't turn them and your off a bit, remove the tank and adjust the linkage.

 

[gun nut]

skis

Look in that little book that came with your sled. The owners manuel.

 

[gun nut]

skis

You don't have to remove anything. Loosen the lock nits on the linkage to the ski. Lay a straight edge next to track, and align with one ski, then align the other one. Minor adjustment might be necessary to get a very small toe-in. I use a narrow wood strip measure ski to ski carbide bolt to carbide bolt. I hang the strip on my garage wall, for easy access.

 

[ecopter]

Re: skis

Look in that little book that came with your sled. The owners manuel.

Maybe you should follow your own advice. That's not the way to align the handlebar, that's for SKI alignment. Two different animals.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

It is important to verify ski alignment prior to just straightening the bars. If you straighten the bars first only to find the ski alignment is off you may end up re-doing the bar straightening exercise. Additionally, you may find the bar straightening completely un-necessary in the end.

I would suggest checking for loose or bent parts first, followed with the alignment procedures, finishing up with straightening the handle bars at the linkage in front of the fuel tank only if absolutely necessary.

This is a new-to-you machine. Not knowing it's history you may find that just one ski is a little off center and bringing it back to straight might also straighten the bars. Tweeking the ski alignment can indeed straighten the bars.

 

[ecopter]

It is important to verify ski alignment prior to just straightening the bars. If you straighten the bars first only to find the ski alignment is off you may end up re-doing the bar straightening exercise. Additionally, you may find the bar straightening completely un-necessary in the end.

I would suggest checking for loose or bent parts first, followed with the alignment procedures, finishing up with straightening the handle bars at the linkage in front of the fuel tank only if absolutely necessary.

This is a new-to-you machine. Not knowing it's history you may find that just one ski is a little off center and bringing it back to straight might also straighten the bars. Tweeking the ski alignment can indeed straighten the bars.

You're right, tweeking ski alignment can indeed straighten the bars. But, you have two actions going on at once; bar movement and ski movement. In order to isolate movement only to the handlebars, you must go directly to that linkage.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

Jon,

Not to be argumentative... just hoping to help anyone reading this.

Keeping the skis pointing exactly where they are and only changing the bar attitude can be accomplished two ways: First at the lineage you mentioned in front of the tank and second by (in this case with the bars turned left while the sled drives straight) shortening the L/S tire rod assembly the same distance (turns of the sleeve) that the R/S is lengthened. This will keep the toe-in measurement the same while turning the bars.

Given the age of the machine in question I feel the bar position is likely off due to a ski pointing the wrong way. Thats why I suggested aligning at the skis.

You are correct by saying adjusting the shaft linkage would straighten the bar, but if the alignment is incorrect it might go untouched. This could result in un-wanted darting and high speed instability.

Hope this help to clarify!

 

[ecopter]