joined the bent subframe club yesterday

[Boston RX1]

I had a great conversation with Grizztracks yesterday and will order my kit today. He has 4 left. I hope he posts his research and knowledge about this problem as he explained it to me, very interesting. I think there are certain hits with this design of the Nytro's front end that it can't take. I know many including myself who have ridden the sled very hard. The problems seem to only happen at very slow speeds with side impact. Like getting back into the trailer or crossing a railroad tracks. Very strange. After talking to him and Allen Ulmer, both said that once the kit is installed, they have never heard of another bent subframe in the past 2-3 years with 100's of them in use. I am doing my two Nytro's this week, one that is bent and the other so it will not bend.

 

[moab11]

I agree 100% about the extra gusseting being the fix for these subframes. I installed one of Grizztracks kits this summer as well as some extra plating I made up. First ride out this season I hit a rock at about 35mph on a bit of an angle. Broke my spindle in half, bent my lower a-arm up, bent the lower a-arms mounting bolts, bent the ski mounting bolt in the spindle and even bent my 6" studboy shaper carbide, but my subframe is still as straight as when I put it back in this summer.

Here are some pics of the damage to show how hard of a hit it was:

 

[Yama 1000]

I have a 2011 nytro can anyone tell me if they are strong enough from factory. Should i add extra support to prevent a bent sub frame ? IF yes what brand and were can i get them.

 

[moab11]

PM grizztracks for a nice kit, they are reasonably priced and ready to weld in, I wish I would have installed mine before I bent mine the first time.

 

[LM7800]

I've got two XTX's 10 and 11 are these any stronger. any one have a better pic of a bent one?

 

[grizztracks]

The new frames were suppose to have a gusset material improvement to make them stronger but there have been reports of bent frames since the 2010 update. Before installing a 2010 frame in my Nytro I reinforced it with gussets. Last season was the first season I didn't bend the frame since I bought the sled in 2008.

 

[WNY PAT]

I wonder - if Moab 11 had the regular subframe and hit that rock - would the subframe had taken the hit and crumpled leaving the other goodies like the A arm, etc intact? Or is all that gonna bend anyway? Im just thinking, if you strengthen one part, something else has got to give. Just curious.... Thinking this is a summer 2012 project. Or maybe sooner if we don't get any snow!!

 

[Grimm]

I agree 100% about the extra gusseting being the fix for these subframes. I installed one of Grizztracks kits this summer as well as some extra plating I made up. First ride out this season I hit a rock at about 35mph on a bit of an angle. Broke my spindle in half, bent my lower a-arm up, bent the lower a-arms mounting bolts, bent the ski mounting bolt in the spindle and even bent my 6" studboy shaper carbide, but my subframe is still as straight as when I put it back in this summer.

Here are some pics of the damage to show how hard of a hit it was:

You limped the sled back with the spindle sections tied together?
One word...awesome!

 

[moab11]

Grimm, yep, limped it out with the spindles tied together and a log from one side to the other to help keep the ski straight. It certainly wasn't ideal and was far from fun riding back out, but it was better than leaving it in the middle of nowhere.

WNY PAT, I bent my subframe last year on a MUCH smaller hit and my shock spring was rubbing the a-arm. I think much more and I would have damaged the shock. Also I was able to pick up a complete set of a-arms and spindles in great condition for a little over $400, try finding a subframe for that much shipped. No damage is ideal, and that was one serious hit, like I said it stopped me from about 35mph in 20ft or less, something had to give.