Curve Ski Toe Out ?

[AXR]

Ok I have what would seem to be a simple question, but I am questioning it because of how far out of wack my skis seem to be. Those with Curve XS skis, where are you measuring your toe out and what are you setting it at?

I checked the curve ski manual and it shows to measure at these locations:

and to set the toe out at 1/2" for Yamaha and 3/8 for AC. So being we have the AC frame I'm guessing it should be set at 3/8 ? (though I think I have heard people say they are running 1/2")

My sled handled good last year when I put the skis on and had just a lil darting (no toe/alignment done over stock setup). This season I had the dealer check the ski alignment and toe out to make sure it was alright. Now this year the thing is all over the trail. I also have the leading edge installed. Last year no leading edge. Measuring my toe out at the locations in Curve's picture I am sitting at something like 1" . Oh and the moron that decided to put that tie rod nut way up in the belly should be shot, along with the person that said oh lets use these plastic push things on the rubber cover.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide me.

 

[TD Max]

I think more than measuring a quick loosen of each rod and a c-hair lengthen to each tie rod is where I would start. Talking 1/8 turn at most.

 

[larrypolaris]

Measure from the center of carbide studs sticking through the ski. Front and back studs.
I think I set mine 3/8"-1/2" range toe out.

 

[mtotguy]

When I was running the curves I measured from one wear bar stud to the stud on the other ski. I set mine at 3/8" minimum. Erring toward longer. I ditched the leading edges. I think they increase darting.

 

[AXR]

Thanks guys. That was I was thinking. I have always measured at the carbides and was thrown off when I saw curve's picture showing to measure at almost the back of the ski and just forward of the loop. I'll measure the normal way @ the carbide studs.

 

[yamaha06]

Quick question for you guys, usually when I adjust my toe out I always use a piece of square tubing along the track and adjust toe out and then use the square tubing on the other side of the track to adjust toe out for the other ski. But in the curve manual it says to lay something flat along the track and adjust toe out but then for the other ski they said to just measure from one ski over to the other and make adjustments so front measurements are greater then back by 1/4" Also for the online manual it is talking about toe out being 1/8" so that would be 1/4" toe out and then I see some of you are running 1/2" toe out, so not sure what it should be set at.
Thanks

 

[AXR]

Yes the directions say 1/4" but the right hand side of the directions says 1/2" for Yamaha, and 3/8" for Cat. You don't need the straight edge from the track if your skis are already aligned correctly with your bars. You should only need to measure the toe out from ski to ski. Looks like everyone is doing this at the carbide studs. Which is what I thought till seeing Curve's measurement points. So I measured ski to ski, but at Curve's locations and set mine at 3/8". I'll see how it is once it snows. If ever...

Curve saying to only use the straight edge on 1 side actually makes sense. You could not have the alignment of the 2nd ski wrong or else the measurement from the 2 ski backs to the 2 ski fronts could never be the 1/4 or 3/8 or whatever side you choose. Just think if you were to turn the 2nd ski too far out the measurement from one to the other would be way too much and if you turned it in the back would be too much. It seems odd not measuring both with the straight edge but when I think about it it's right.

In the manual pic below look at the right hand side

 

[TD Max]

Looking at the Curve drawings it would appear as though they are going for near zero toe. The skis are wider up front by a substantial bit. I'll have to measure, but if they are 1/4" wider then that eats 1/8 per side.

I know I need to redo mine or do the slim Jims as the wet packy snow had me darting all over the place this weekend.

FYI: If you have the hood off and air box out you there is an alignment hole in the steering arm that you can drop a punch through to center the steering. Also you can access the tie rod nuts this way.

 

[AXR]

oh I forgot to mention if you turn the skis all the way, the tie rod nut on the opposite side is accessible when you remove the rubber boot. It's still hard but doable.

 

[yamaha06]

Yes the directions say 1/4" but the right hand side of the directions says 1/2" for Yamaha, and 3/8" for Cat. You don't need the straight edge from the track if your skis are already aligned correctly with your bars. You should only need to measure the toe out from ski to ski. Looks like everyone is doing this at the carbide studs. Which is what I thought till seeing Curve's measurement points. So I measured ski to ski, but at Curve's locations and set mine at 3/8". I'll see how it is once it snows. If ever...

Curve saying to only use the straight edge on 1 side actually makes sense. You could not have the alignment of the 2nd ski wrong or else the measurement from the 2 ski backs to the 2 ski fronts could never be the 1/4 or 3/8 or whatever side you choose. Just think if you were to turn the 2nd ski too far out the measurement from one to the other would be way too much and if you turned it in the back would be too much. It seems odd not measuring both with the straight edge but when I think about it it's right.

In the manual pic below look at the right hand side

I would assume my skis are aligned with my bars, I haven't touched the alignment at all and I still have the stock skis on. So if I'm not using something parallel against the track and I measure the toe out and I have about 1/8" toe out then would I just adjust each ski 1/8" out to get my 3/8" total? Does anyone know what size nut the tie rod jam nuts are? Might look into getting a crows foot to get at the ones in the engine bay. Thanks guys

 

[AXR]

On the nuts I used a 5/8 and it fit perfect. I think it is supposed to be 16mm. I can't seem to find mine so I tried 5/8 and it fit like a glove. The tie rod was um I think 14mm? Yes just adjusting each another 1/8" should be fine, as long as everything is already aligned correct from the start. The real question is whats the right # 3/8, 1/2, 1/4 lol and where is it best to measure from, curve's pic or the normal carbide stud way? Trial and error I guess...

 

[yamaha06]

On the nuts I used a 5/8 and it fit perfect. I think it is supposed to be 16mm. I can't seem to find mine so I tried 5/8 and it fit like a glove. The tie rod was um I think 14mm? Yes just adjusting each another 1/8" should be fine, as long as everything is already aligned correct from the start. The real question is whats the right # 3/8, 1/2, 1/4 lol and where is it best to measure from, curve's pic or the normal carbide stud way? Trial and error I guess...

Alright thanks bud, I hope everything is aligned correct. I will just adjust the toe without running something against the track, I'm getting a little tight on time before I leave for my trip! That's a good question I don't know if everyone's measuring from the studs like usual when setting the toe out or the spots curve had specified. I would assume were adjusting toe out for 3/8" since this is an arctic cat chaisis? Well I hope that's correct anyway lol

 

[staggs65]

I would tend to agree, reading that I'd go with the Arctic cat measurement as well. But in the end you need to find what works best for you and your conditions. Either way 3/8 is a good middle starting point

 

[TD Max]

I just adjusted mine based on this drawing. The drawing is a bit misleading as it gives the impression that the skis are wider at the front than at the rear. I did not use a straight edge. I measured at the points specified and started with about 5/16" then worked my way down to 1/8" total toe out adjusting each side equally so as not to upset the bar alignment. This is with a bungee on the tips. Mine has been pretty darty as of late. I hope to get out and test again before local conditions deteriorate too much.

 

[AXR]

I did finally get to try mine after adjusting and what a world of difference. I don't know what the dealer did to the skis lol. The left one looked to be toed out a good bit more then the right one. Skis sitting on the ground, no bungee, bars straight. Just looking at the skis one looked off more then the other. So I went ahead and adjusted just the 1 ski in till I had my 3/8". Now to measure (right or wrong) I measured about 1" from the back of the ski and the front measurement was done just in front of the 2 ridges that start to form the raised area where the loop attaches. I also did this right in the trailer so I did not get overly crazy with things. I was able to try the setup last friday. Conditions were not the best of this. 2 days before the trails received 3ft of powder w/ no hard base. Trails were not groomed well and had the race car track tilt to them. Even with those conditions I can tell you that my adjustment made a MAJOR difference. The sled tracked nice and steering effort was easy again. I noticed VERY little to zero dart. The skis still may be misaligned a bit. I don't know for sure. I don't have a garage to work on stuff in. Over the summer I will check the ski alignment w/the track to see how it looks. Anyways long story short. 3/8" toe out measured at curve's measurement points made a world of difference (so far) for me. Oh even on icy corners the skis held a line with the stock 4" carbides they came with from last year. Something it would not do till the adjustment.