Bent Spindle....

[RobX-1]

The spindle is the hardened steel shaft that connects your ski's to your steering. They turn your ski's. They are inside the aluminum outer housing running down to the ski's, your A-Arms are connected to them.

I hope this doesn't sound stupid but if the spindle is within the aluminum outer housing, how are you guys determing that your spindle is bent? Can this be seen simply by examining the aluminum outer housing? What are the steps involved with accessing the spindle? Do you just pop off that black plastic cap that is on top of the aluminum outer housing? Will that expose the spindle? I want to examine mine to determine if they are bent but am unclear in how to do so.

 

[LazyBastard]

Put your sled on flat ground. Look at your skis. If they're straight, your spindle is straight. If they're crooked, your spindle is bent.

 

[Frostbite]

I think perhaps some clarification may be in order. I have never bent the actual spindles on my sled. It's the aluminum "Steering Knuckle" that goes around the outside of the spindle. The spindle is built from hardended steel and appears to be one tough customer. The steering knuckle is another story. I honestly feel the design could be improved considerably. I'm starting to wonder if Arctic Cat steering knuckles would fit (and believe me, I'm certainly not an Arctic Cat fan).
Yes, I have bent the bolts that hold the steering knuckles to the "A" arms several times too. It looks like my Arbor press was a purchase I will be using a lot in the coming seasons. Powder Blue