Cat skid installation???

[Fullback]

Just wondering if I could get suggestions on the best way to compress a cat skid for installation? I'm installing a 2000 136" Mountain Thunder Cat. I need to compress it from 32 1/2 " to 31 1/4". The springs seem very stiff. Thanks for any help. :?

 

[adirondac blue]

Unbolt the bottom of the spring on the rail, install skid and then pry up spring into place.

 

[Fullback]

Thanks Blue. Right now I have the skid in the track with the back end of the sled in the air. Is there a trick to getting the front hole to line up? My front arm is falling in front of the hole and I have to pull the skid back to get it to line up. I've been at it for about 2 hrs and I'm starting to get irritated. Thanks for any help.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

I am having the exact same issue. I am trying to put an 04 king cat 151 suspension in my RX1 159. I have the skid in the track and have managed to get the front of the skid mounted in place. (very tight by the way). But the back mounts are about 1/2" longer than the 31-1/4"(what I thought to be the CTC for this skid). I am starting to think the mountain cat CTC is a little longer that 31-1/4. Maybe your thunder cat is the same. I sure wish I had an 04 king cat I could go measure.
I have tried to bring the rear mounts forward, but there is a bar that goes across the bottom of the rails that is stopping the suspension from moving any farther forward. AARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH

Any help on this would be fantastic.

J

 

[Fullback]

I finally got it all back together and I'm sure I'm going to love it. My ride height is slightly higher. The approach angle in front is way less than the proaction and you can feel all of the mogul mashing travel. Bring on the snow. I had to suck up the limiters, unbolt the springs from the rails and raise the rear end of the sled high. Install the front bolts. Lower the sled, install the rear bolts and use pry bars to hook the springs back up on the rails. I used the template which is on here except that the center to center of the bolts is 31 1/4". Hope this helps.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Fullback,

All I have to put in is the 2 rear bolts. When I put the sled down to up these bolt on, they do not line up. the suspension is about 1/2" farther back from the drop down bracket. I did put the CTC at 31-1/4. Did you have to pry the suspension to get the back holes to line up?

Thanks,

Jon.

 

[Fullback]

JR, My skid wouldn't line up in the rear either until I unbolted the springs and compressed the skid. I didn't have to pry very hard to get them to line up. With the springs untensioned I set the skid back on the floor and had to use 2 pry bars to line the springs back up and reinstall the bolts through the rails. Bob

 

[Jonny Rocket]

Thanks for the info Fullback. I did get the suspension in but it is extremely tight. I am pretty sure I could play a tune on it and the rear wheels are as loose as they can go. I have a feeling this suspension is out of a 153, not a 151 that I was told. Oh well. Looks like an excuse to get the new Maverick 162" track. That would fit perfectly.

Thanks again for your help.

J.