broken torsion spring guide

[rock doc]

Noticed that my suspension was sagging on my 2011 xtx. Turns out that the plastic rail guide for my torsion spring was broken. looks like the top broke off...how did this happen? Perhaps it iced up? Very luck it did not take my track out. I am having a mild steel guide machined tomorrow. I wanted to use aluminum but the machinist recommended mild steel.

Is this a common issue?

 

[shadow44]

I'm not sure how it would happen, or how the spring would even pop out of the guide. I've cut the tops of mine off so that I can remove the spring when taking the skid in and out....there should be enough tension on that spring that it should never pop out.

 

[poor farmer/logger]

I had mine pop out once last winter as well. Not sure how it happened. I just pushed it back up by hand and set it back in the guide. Welded the guide up and forgot about it. I think it has cracked since again but it never seems to bother anything.

Ryan

 

[canoehead]

Have you put it in the rhubarb lately? I think the only way you can break one is through impact or improper installation. It would take a lot of miles to wear them out. You might want to look for nicks or gouges on them. Did you buy the sled used used?

 

[rock doc]

I did purchase the sled used with 4000 miles on it. it has been well cared for and shows no obvious signs of abuse. I did not pop out, just broke the top off and flipped over. The thin side was facing up so there was not enough tension on the spring arm. Th sides are still in tact - I was surprised too. Perhaps it was just ice on the spring arm, which prevented it from sliding through the guide. I did have it own a trailer with the suspension compressed so maybe that did it.

I ordered a new one for $8, but it sucks to be down. We have 4' of snow and got 1' of fresh powder last night! Sounds like ?I can run it with the broken rail guide?

 

[rock doc]

I ordered the part on Monday am and it still has not arrived. I imagine the weather and holidays are holding up deliveries.

We now have sooo much fresh powder it is killing me not to be out sledding. I may try running with the cracked guide. Sounds like it should not be an issue. I'm not sure what good the plastic "guide" over the wedge is - it is pretty flimsy. I just would hate for that torsion bar to pop out and catch my track when carrying some speed.

 

[Beenba]

When my limiter straps broke a couple years ago, mine popped out. Check your limiters to be safe.

It may not have been my limiters causing them to pop out though - cause when they broke it also took out the rear shock at the same time. I had to remove it to limp the sled home. Thus, whenever I hit a bump or got air (with no rear shock) it allowed the skid to drop lower than usual and pop the springs out. We ended up using nylon rope to act as a strap to prevent this from happening lol.

Check out your rear shock, maybe its damaged and overextending? Or it was just a fluke!

Like the others have said, the spring tension should be enough to hold them in, unless you hit something or somethings broke they usually don't come out! Unless by top breaking off you meant the side, then I could see it happening.

 

[radianguy]

I'm not sure how it would happen, or how the spring would even pop out of the guide. I've cut the tops of mine off so that I can remove the spring when taking the skid in and out....there should be enough tension on that spring that it should never pop out.

You can rotate the plastic guide forward so the spring can be let go. Just an FYI!

 

[mach9]

Have a look at the 2013 XTX coil spring holders.
I'm sure Yamaha has updated them again.
This time with a steel cap colser to the spring over the top so you can't rotate them.
Nor could a spring accidentally pop out of one of them.

 

[rock doc]

update

Rode with the broken guide - pleased to report no issues. Updated torsion spring guide/carrier is on route, but glad to be able to ride in the meantime.

Thank-you for all the guidance. I would not be ridding if you had not told me the spring would stay in place even with a broken shroud.

 

[BADSLED]

Noticed that my suspension was sagging on my 2011 xtx. Turns out that the plastic rail guide for my torsion spring was broken. looks like the top broke off...how did this happen? Perhaps it iced up? Very luck it did not take my track out. I am having a mild steel guide machined tomorrow. I wanted to use aluminum but the machinist recommended mild steel.

Is this a common issue?

I broke both of mine during one ride. There is only one way this happens and it's only during severe bottoming where the skid is fully collapsed. Once collapsed track clips on top of the skid contact the tall guides and bust them right off!!

 

[rock doc]

Can't believe I broke them again!! I don't think I ride harder than the average rider. I need a different setup.

 

[canoehead]

I think you have another, different problem! Are your shocks serviced or have you had them rebuilt? 4000 miles the rear might be saggin more than you think.

 

[rock doc]

Shocks are fine. Checked them when I had the skid out. Has the centre shock revalved/rebuilt and a stiffer spring. I looks like the top of the carrier is catching the track clips when the suspension bottoms. The bracket is too tall. Rode for another 400 miles with the tops broken off with no issues. Poor design.

 

[Sledboy]

My Torsion Spring popped out of the rail guide after going over a small hill and coming back down. I caught about just enough air to uncompress the suspension then landed and heard a faint metal sound. Immediately stopped my 2013 Nytro XTX with Star Suspension kit/Mod and found the Torsion Spring popped out and caught the track and pulled back to the rear of track. WTF... I managed to put it in reverse and use the motor and track to pull the spring forward (without poking thru track) than muscled it back in rail guide (upside down because I could not muscle it in guide when turned up) and limped home. See picture from trail after i put it back to limp home, my torsion spring is bent tot and so is the one on the other side of sled. I'm still not sure of the cause and permanent fix such that it won't happen again. Help if you have a solution!