In way over my head?...

[spike337]

Thanks cannondale. I'm not good with computors, but i was able to see some expanded views to see what i was getting into. I pulled the Phazer out today, tomorrow i'll tear it down, make a parts list, get parts Friday, and re-assemble. Well, now after looking at it a little closer, i jacked up the front end, (on the A-arm,) and the ball joint looks good, but the whole upper arm moves forward to back a little, the bottom of the spindle where the ski bolts through is bad, and of course the steering has a foot and a half of slop in it! Oh ya, the starter has to be pulled to add some loc tite, but wait, i almost forgot the rear skid, lack of removable bearings and junk slides that ALL needs replacing. Then, i can get my shocks re-valved since i'm in there. Yep, don't think it's going to be a weekend project like every other sled i've owned, and i may have to morgage my house for bushings, shims, bearings, etc, but i'll get her, or maybe it'd be easier to trade it???
This is not why i bought a low maintenance, dependable, Yamaha 4 stroke!
Hope you guys are up to answering some questions, because "I'M GOIN IN!"
I can't seem to find that thread that showed how to dis-assemble the front end. Is it on top? Sticky?
Thanks for listening, i won't be so crabby next time, Mike.

 

[PattyJack]

Thanks guys for the links And special thanks RayKnobs for Emailing me the PDF file! This should help millions with what I'm trying to do. Ill take a stab at it again this weekend and let you know!

 

[yamahas]

Thanks cannondale. I'm not good with computors, but i was able to see some expanded views to see what i was getting into. I pulled the Phazer out today, tomorrow i'll tear it down, make a parts list, get parts Friday, and re-assemble. Well, now after looking at it a little closer, i jacked up the front end, (on the A-arm,) and the ball joint looks good, but the whole upper arm moves forward to back a little, the bottom of the spindle where the ski bolts through is bad, and of course the steering has a foot and a half of slop in it! Oh ya, the starter has to be pulled to add some loc tite, but wait, i almost forgot the rear skid, lack of removable bearings and junk slides that ALL needs replacing. Then, i can get my shocks re-valved since i'm in there. Yep, don't think it's going to be a weekend project like every other sled i've owned, and i may have to morgage my house for bushings, shims, bearings, etc, but i'll get her, or maybe it'd be easier to trade it???
This is not why i bought a low maintenance, dependable, Yamaha 4 stroke!
Hope you guys are up to answering some questions, because "I'M GOIN IN!"
I can't seem to find that thread that showed how to dis-assemble the front end. Is it on top? Sticky?
Thanks for listening, i won't be so crabby next time, Mike.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=64045 hope that helps.

 

[spike337]

^^^ Sweet! That's what i was looking for. Thanks Yamahas.

 

[spike337]

She's split! I can hardly see the starter, and still can't figure out what bolts to take out to remove it, let alone "almost falls out". I'll start with the cables i guess? The positive starter cable has a wear mark THROUGH it from rubbing on the frame around the bottom radiator area! That has to be a direct short, right? I'll split some fuel line up and slide it over the wear areas i guess.
Is it even possible to get the upper A-arms off without splitting the front end? (The nuts) That and the starter is why i did it.
Any starter removal tips, or other tips? I'll be in and out of the garage tonight checking my computer. Thanks for the "Step by step" Cannondale, i would've never tried, or even knew about this without your input. No wonder everyone on here thinks so highly of you! Me too, and thanks again, Mike.

 

[spike337]

I struck oil! Pulled the starter and out came my engine oil. What a mess. My fault.
Between the starter sealing in the engine, and that O ring on the bottom screen for the oil tank, i'm pretty nervous about leaks now.

 

[spike337]

I'll try to post a piture or two.

 

[Jeffz]

Fun, isn't it? I just put mine back together with new pivot-arm bushings, a-arm bushings, ball joint upgrade from NCI, and fresh powdercoat everywhere. The first time you take it apart can be a little nerve-racking, but it gets easier. Good luck!

 

[RIGIDONE]

you know you dont have to take the front end off to change the oil...

 

[QUADSCRIB]

Ive had that damn front end off at the trail head before(I ran into something) and had to get er fixed.... aint that bad
The upper a-arm nuts can be gotten to w/out pulling the subframe but I wouldnt have known how if Id have never pulled it first. Sounds like a good thing you found that chaffed wire.
The slop in the front end of these is 100% unacceptable period.
I was just tearing down my race quad that raced about 30 motos (MX) this year and two 1-1/2 hour harescrambles and has NO slop at all.
My Phazer last year after I replaced ALL the bushings and several of the steering heim joints and the bars still moved about two inches from left to right....actually makes me nervose.

 

[spike337]

The stupid part is, i don't have any new parts for steering slop to put in. I loc tited the starter, greased the A-arms, and will see if i can 'doctor up' the steering a little today. Any tips on how to help it without new parts? I'm going to put it back together, then i'll just have to pull it apart again when i get my new parts/bushings. You learn a lot about the sled doing this. Another reason why i did it.
You're right about the slop quadscrib, and yes, it'd be funny as hell to pull it apart in a motel parking lot!

 

[cannondale27]

Honestly if they didnt have good motors Yamaha would not sell a single sled.I am telling you all though there is light at the end of that bloody knuckle stained trail to reliable sled.The quirks you will learn to live with and adapt and at that point you will have the time of your life riding your Phazer.Its worth it.

 

[spike337]

So what do you suggest then? Steering bushing kit, spindle bushing kit, my dealer has some bigger O.D. idlers i was going to get, then get the shocks re-valved. That's my plan. I don't really know where to go with all those bushings. I looked up Ulmer and they were all out. There's so many posts about what to do, i'm kinda lost on which way to go or where to even buy them.
As mentioned, i bought new skis, and a Yamaha tunnel plate. What next? Mike.

 

[cannondale27]

Do the rear suspension since if not up to the task it will rip the skid apart piece by piece.Also is just huge for the enjoyment of the sled.Since front is off already take opportunity to add the steering bushing kit now.If waiting for arm bushings just add grease zerks while you wait.Keep in mind there are alot of Phazers out there that havent been touched.It all depends on how you ride it.However I cant see stock suspension satisfying anyone compared to other makes.Once riding do the other mods a little at a time.Most dont cost much.Just alot of work.

 

[spike337]

Here's a simple question, where can i get steering bushings? I found a ton of stuff doing a search, and i came up with OFT Racing, which doesn't offer anything like that on their site, and UPBushman, which has no site. Have credit card, will order.
By the way, doing a "steering" search for the Phazer, wow! Pages upon pages! Yamaha should be ashamed of themselves! The technology is un-real on these sleds, yet they can't make a bushing?! A guy in his back yard makes better bushings then Yamaha? Get real, get on that 'quality' i paid for! Are the new Phazers the same way? I couldn't sell one if i was a dealer. Sorry for the rant, but anyone dissagree?