Interesting - Skid out findings

[rnusr01]

Hi

So I pulled the skid to replace shocks and while I had it out I did some investigation and found some things that concerned me, probably not that big of a deal but to me its gotta be perfect. FYI my sled has just over 500 miles on it.

Concern/Findings:

• Straps - Had fuzz on side of straps
• Wheels - Upon placing skid on table to begin disassembly I noticed some of idlers were touching table and others were just a touch off and able to spin. Could this possibly effect alignment? I think so
  
• Gritty feel - Moving suspension components on skid didn't feel smooth, a bit gritty actually
• Bushings - I found some of the bushings to have some corrosion on them and slight bind, imagine there wasn't any grease in those locations from factory when greased and water /moisture/lack lube did that
• Initial Conclusion - Not that there is anything wrong but its not hand built and the TLC and attention to detail isn't there

Remediation:

• Straps - Used a lighter to burn off peach fuzz from sides of straps. LOL
• Gritty feel/Bushings - Disassembled entire skid, cleaned everything, polished all bushings to remover corrosion/burrs and greased everything by hand before assembly then greased fittings to pack
• Wheels - Assembled everything with all bolts less than snug, put straps across rails to hold level/flat on a piece of granite on coffee table and tightened everything up. Checked all bearings for smooth operation and made sure they were greased

Final Result:

• SMOOTH - Pushing down on skid and moving suspension through some motion was like velvet, super quiet smooth and plush
• After tightening everything while lightly strapped down all wheels now touch pretty evenly on flat surface
• After polishing and greasing bushings during assembly I don't think I will get any corrosion now as everything has been coated, just have to maintain consistent greasing
• Installed Axis shocks
• Sprayed entire skid with dry film to assist with snow not sticking

Pending:

• Still need to install skid, adjust track tension and align

 

[stevewithOCD]

Knowing what i know about Arctic Cat, this is what i wanted to do before i ever got it home. Never had time so next year i plan on doing just what you did.

Except burning the little fuzzies off the straps. That's normal and now you're not! LOL

 

[rnusr01]

I dont like any hair around it. LOL

 

[stevewithOCD]

Again, sounds the like the dating scene.

 

[rnusr01]

You know your gonna think about it when you see the fuzz and do the same thing, unless you like it like that

 

[XP123]

You guys need to get off this Arctic Cat stuff. It's not a Cat issue. Every suspension from every brand is like this. After a season stuff gets Gritty and things need to be greased. As far as all wheels not touching do you guys realized what these suspensions go through when pounding through the trails? I had both my Doo and Winder suspension out this Fall sitting side by side and they both looked like new.

The worse suspension I ever had was on my 2006 Apex. It rusted like a mofo and all the grease zerks were junk and didn't work. There were many that broke the front W also and the wheels sucked because they came with wheels you couldn't change the bearing or even grease them. I know we like to talk about how bad Cat stuff is but my last two Yamahas had some major flaws like oil tanks cracking and front spindles, A arms and front modules bending and breaking. Snowmobiles require lots of maintenance and that's with all brands.

This post just shows some very good preventative maintenance that all sleds can benefit from. Good job!

 

[rnusr01]

XP123 I agree its not specific to a single brand just part of normal manufacturing. They do take a pounding but its nice to know things are perfect when put in and if they change they change so be it. Regular greasing is key as you stated.

 

[fatchance]

While installing My J&T Stealth kit last week I couldn't help but notice how good the skid looked after last seasons beating it took. I almost expected to see cracked rails and rust on everything but it still looked mint. Coming from my Japanese built Apex that needed to have welding done on the skid every year since 2006 I'll take this Cat skid any day! Sure, they might have quality control issues... a bolt loose here and there, but as far as design and build this skid is the real deal.

 

[Motorhead]

You know your gonna think about it when you see the fuzz and do the same thing, unless you like it like that

I burn my track edges and window openings every year. Keeps the ice from hanging on to the strings and causing them to tear out more. Only takes a couple of minutes.

 

[Doc Harley]

Some guys are on the anal side, which is good. I'm more concerned about things coming apart and/or breakdowns. Only one season on all our Sidewinders, seems to be a very solid platform thus far.
Sled is meeting all needs & expectations! Just an unbelievable experience.
I'm glad I didn't fall into the old turbo trap set up by cat.

 

[**sj**]

as a related note...use a low temp grease...keeps from freezing the half shafts

 

[cannondale27]

Hi

So I pulled the skid to replace shocks and while I had it out I did some investigation and found some things that concerned me, probably not that big of a deal but to me its gotta be perfect. FYI my sled has just over 500 miles on it.

Concern/Findings:

• Straps - Had fuzz on side of straps
• Wheels - Upon placing skid on table to begin disassembly I noticed some of idlers were touching table and others were just a touch off and able to spin. Could this possibly effect alignment? I think so
  
• Gritty feel - Moving suspension components on skid didn't feel smooth, a bit gritty actually
• Bushings - I found some of the bushings to have some corrosion on them and slight bind, imagine there wasn't any grease in those locations from factory when greased and water /moisture/lack lube did that
• Initial Conclusion - Not that there is anything wrong but its not hand built and the TLC and attention to detail isn't there

Remediation:

• Straps - Used a lighter to burn off peach fuzz from sides of straps. LOL
• Gritty feel/Bushings - Disassembled entire skid, cleaned everything, polished all bushings to remover corrosion/burrs and greased everything by hand before assembly then greased fittings to pack
• Wheels - Assembled everything with all bolts less than snug, put straps across rails to hold level/flat on a piece of granite on coffee table and tightened everything up. Checked all bearings for smooth operation and made sure they were greased

Final Result:

• SMOOTH - Pushing down on skid and moving suspension through some motion was like velvet, super quiet smooth and plush
• After tightening everything while lightly strapped down all wheels now touch pretty evenly on flat surface
• After polishing and greasing bushings during assembly I don't think I will get any corrosion now as everything has been coated, just have to maintain consistent greasing
• Installed Axis shocks
• Sprayed entire skid with dry film to assist with snow not sticking

Pending:

• Still need to install skid, adjust track tension and align

Nice job. Should be a yearly springtime thing at least.

 

[Joe ltx-le]

What I've found is these machine need to be adjusted and inspected every 1000 miles or so. Track loosens off a lot , causing issues like axle bearing damage.
Also check the chain tension. , my chain has stretched a lot over 6000 miles.
And as far as the fuzz around the edges ,it's cold up here in Canada .

 

[cannondale27]

I got bit last season with loose bolts lower center shock mount shaft. Egged the hole one side. That sucked and was a bit of a hard pill to swallow since I am pretty anal about the torque and Loctite thing. Didnt even look for a good 2000mi. Was too long. I plan to do mid season skid pull now even with the paint marks. But is first time its ever happened to me. Like to think its from the speeds and bumps I like to hit.

 

[**sj**]

I got bit last season with loose bolts lower center shock mount shaft. Egged the hole one side. That sucked and was a bit of a hard pill to swallow since I am pretty anal about the torque and Loctite thing. Didnt even look for a good 2000mi. Was too long. I plan to do mid season skid pull now even with the paint marks. But is first time its ever happened to me. Like to think its from the speeds and bumps I like to hit.

this seems to have been an issue since 12'...whats the solution? I saw a steel shaft from sweden that is supposed to prevent this?