Help!!! Bent suspension???

[bootcamp bob]

Hey guys I need some help. I was just servicing the mono skid on my '06 Attak (bought it used last April) and while removing the hy-fax I noticed that both rails are bent to the right about 1/4". On closer inspection I noticed that the rails are also bent (or tipped-up) about 5/16", this bend or tip-up starts about 23" from the back-end of the rails (mid-suspension) IS THIS NORMAL??? Also, any issues with bending the rails back to the left and down if required? I will do this using a press. This is my first Yamaha, came over from Polaris. Thanks, Bob

 

[LazyBastard]

According to the picture;

the back of the rails are slightly off the ground, so the rails are bent from the factory. THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS!!! With a slight curve in the rail, while running on HARD SNOW (when the added length isn't needed), it will be easier to steer!

Do NOT take out the curve in the rails.

Regarding the "bent to the right".... the suspension has to be INSTALLED for it to hold together correctly. Post pictures if you are sure that it is actually "bent".

 

[bootcamp bob]

I hope the pics help explain the problem

 

[170plus]

looks like you jumped and landed too hard on tail end,this is not normal,they should be straight both ways no bends on either the 121 or the 136,the only one that tips up at the back is the mountain,i would straighten them out in a press and add the rail stiffeners if they arent already there,the 06 and newer models should have the stiffeners already from factory but a good hit would still bend stuff

 

[170plus]

sorry i didnt notice before that your running the 144 kit,this adds a lot of leverage to the end of the rails and like i said before ,if you jumped just once and landed wrong you could do this kind of damage,i hit a washout about 4ft wide and about 8 inches deep going about 100 with my rx1 and when it hit the hard edge on the other side the weight of the muffler on the back of the tunnel bent the sides of the tunnel behind the rear suspension mounting point to the back of the sled real bad,had to hang sled by the rear bumper and hammer and dolly the dents out so sometimes it doesnt take a lot depending on how it hits

 

[170plus]

from your last pic it looks like the bend started right about in the middle of the rail stiffeners,i guess they arent stiff enough,did the sideways bent start that far forward or was it towards the back more,either way good luck

 

[bootcamp bob]

The 144" kit is not on yet, that is one of the reasons that I had the skid out. The bend to the right starts directly below where the rear torque bolts to the rails. The upwards bend starts 22" ahead of the end of the rails..about halfway between front and back. When you straightened your rails was it successful? Bye the way I wasn't the one that jumped it...I bought it this way...LUCKY ME!!!! Bob

 

[Handy]

I straightened both rails on 06 Apex this summer they were bent in all different directions from 5000 miles of hard riding. The front of the left rail was turned in towards the right rail by about 1/4" & bent hollow in the center by about 1/8" (up from bottom). The left rail was bent down in the center by about 1/16" & to the right by 1/8". Took skid completely apart and straightened rails in hydraulic press with no problems. I checked both rails for cracks and couldn't find any. Now hopefully I won't loose any more track clips. The rails should be straight or the suspension cannot work properly.

 

[maxdlx]

do both rear rails bend in the same direction or is only one bent. Looks like the rear axel is out, maybe they are just springing inward some. Maxdlx

 

[bootcamp bob]

They are both bent to the right and upwards. I checked a new sled at the local dealer and there is no tip-up. So next week I'm going to spend some time with them on the press and straighten them. Thanks for the help.