Bent bracket near right a-arm

[stunter1]

There are steering brackets that hang low below the belly pan near each a-arm. My right one (if sitting on machine) looks bent. Is it supposed to have an angle to it? The left one is straight. Its not a major bend and it looks bent like it was made that way. It isnt mangled in all directions.

Thanks guys
Matt

 

[Len Todd]

If you are talking about the links to the Swaybar, they should look identical.

You can measure the width of the belt across the top. Belt width should be > 1.26"

 

[LazyBastard]

The easiest way to tell if a belt should be replaced is by going for a GENTLE ride. If the thing shakes at a frequency coincident with the rate that the belt rotates at, then its time to garbage bin it.

 

[stunter1]

I replaced the belt just for good measure.

Now it squeels when I am idling. No squeeling once the clutch engages. Its pretty loud and annoying.

Any ideas what is causing this and how to fix it?

thanks

 

[LazyBastard]

You need to adjust belt deflection or wait for the new belt to wear a bit.

 

[stunter1]

pics

 

[Len Todd]

Initially, it appears the link is slightly bent. But more importantly, it looks to me like the link's two mounting points are not lined up. You may want to consider comparing this side to the other side. Or, you have already done that and your result is why you are asking the question. Eh?

Assuming the sway bar is straight, that MAY mean that the A-Arm's attachment points to the frame have been bent. (This assumes you have not bent the A-Arm.) The bending of the A-Arm Attachment Point appears to be common problem with this style sled (i.e. There are a lot of posts on the topic). You may want to consider inspecting the A-Arm's attachment points and do some serious measuring to determine what happened.

If the link is bent, then I would replace it. If the A-Arm is bent, then I would replace it. Only after these parts are straight can you really tell what you have for alignment from the sway-bar to the A-Arm (for the link.)

Also, you can make measurements from known common points on the front suspension back to common (i.e. points common to both sides of the sled) reference points toward the back or middle of the sled. (e.g. top of ski spindles to rear skid mounting bolts) This will tell you if the front suspension has been moved back by an impact.

 

[stunter1]

Thanks Len I will go check the A-Arm mount points. I havent hit anything with the sled. That doesnt mean that the previous owner hasnt or just a bottom out on a whoop did it.

I am starting to love this sport less and less.

A quick inspection yesterday found this bent link, a broken idler wheel, two cracks on the rails, and a row of worn tabs on the inside of the track.

It wouldnt be so bad if I was still working

 

[Len Todd]

I hear you about the costs. I am retired and these things are expensive to ride.

Could it be that the sway-bar has just slide over to one side, making the link sit at an angle? It is hard to tell from the Pic.

But, if the link is actually bent, somthing was most-likely hit.

 

[stunter1]

Len I checked out the bracket and a-arm mounts yesterday. Nothing appears to be visually bent at the mounts.

Thankfully there is some play in the sway bar. I think that save other commponents from bending because the bracket is connected to that link with the pivots on each end. That allowed everything to still work while the bracket was bent.

But I still need to do some measuring but Im affraid to find more things that need fixing.

 

[Len Todd]

Good luck. It is hard to determine things from a few Pics. You are getting only one or two views of things, etc. It could be that everything is O.K. But, ... Something had you worried enough to do the post. So we tend to get a little critical (i.e. looking at it negatively, etc.)