Bent the sub frame again!!

Guys I think it is a bunch of crap! We shouldn't be spending 8000-12000 dollars for sub-par parts. These things are suppose to be built to last. I understand if you hit something things break. Call Yamaha, the more that call the more they will get the idea.
 
The a arm is ok but the sub frame is definitely bent. The center plate that was added to the 09 frame is wrinkled and the radiator has moved back enough for the fan to hit the trail tank. Looking at how the radiator mounts I'm surprised it moved but with the trail tank there is very little clearance so it wouldn't take much. The first time the frame bent I had no idea why but this time there's no doubt what happened. The hit it took was hard but I've had similar hits on my vector with no damage. I came to a complete stop 5 feet before the crossing so speed was not an issue. The bottom line is that these sub frames are poorly designed for a "rough trail" sled. The added gussets that Yamaha added are a joke. They should have been at least twice as thick but all the manufactures are more concerned about weight rather than strength.

The insurance adjuster will be here Monday and I'm sure it'll be covered. I'm going up to Tug Hill next Thursday so I'll probably tweak the radiator mounts so the fan doesn't hit and run it. I'll reinforce the new sub frame myself before installing it but most likely will wait until spring before replacing it.

If Yamaha had a fuel injected Vector back in 08 I would have bought that instead of the Nytro. I've been looking at the 2010 LTX for several weeks now but even with my recent misfortune I'm still having a hard time making a decision.
 
The problem isn't the size of the gussets, it's where they're located. I believe the sub-frame is good for loads in the axial direction but not in torsion. The gussets added to the '09 frame do nothing to resist torsional loads. More strengthening should have been provided in the vertical plane, parallel to the face of the motor. I think someone tried to get too clever with the die cast panels and forgot to finish the structural analysis of the sub-frame. But this is just my opinion.
 
arteeex said:
The problem isn't the size of the gussets, it's where they're located. I believe the sub-frame is good for loads in the axial direction but not in torsion. The gussets added to the '09 frame do nothing to resist torsional loads. More Strengthening should have been provided in the vertical plane, parallel to the face of the motor. I think someone tried to get too clever with the die cast panels and forgot to finish the structural analysis of the sub-frame. But this is just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I've never seen one of these sub frames out so I'm not sure exactly where their lacking. I do know that the lower plate is deformed which means it didn't do its job. Once I get the bent frame out I should be able to better evaluate its weaknesses and correct it.
 
I replaced my sub frame on the 08 last year. Updated with the 09 sub frame. Put on 600km this year and its bent again. Ripples on bottom, both shocks are near the back side of the arm arm. Gonna ride it and repair in the spring... :die
 
i think you got off lucky , my buddy ripped the whole trailing arm and pretty much all the left side of the sled off his older summit when he hit a railway crossing wrong .
 
Another update to the sub frame for 2010. According to what I've read Yamaha strengthened the gussets. Three sub frames in three years is not acceptable for a rough trail sled. Yamaha knows there is a problem and hopefully made the proper changes to strengthen the 2010 sub frame. It's to bad we have to pay for their mistakes!
 
Ever since I bent the 09 subframe my right side ski has been running about 1/2 " behind the left. I've bent it back with a pry bar but eventually its lagging behind again. I finally decided a little stagger in the the skis just made it corner better. Wouldn't you know it, once I really started to believe it I bent the other side so now the darn skis are aligned again.

I have a 2010 frame sitting in the garage but won't install it until spring when I do all the bushings and ball joints.
 
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