skidooboy
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
thought this was only effecting the 09 models but alas, i believe it is a design issue with the long upper a arm bolts. i am an over tightener by any stretch of the imagination so, i cant believe this happend to me.
make sure you all check your upper arms on stock and aftermarket front upper a arms a few times a year.
the wife and i switched sleds because hers broke the scratchers and she couldnt keep the sled cool in the spring riding conditions we were encountering. i could drag my feet and keep the sled cool. as she crossed a road on my sled to go to the home we were renting, the sled made an abrupt right turn, and flipped over sending her over the bars, rolling the sled on to it's side. the bars stabbed her thigh, and her knee's took some abuse from the ground impact (didnt have her kneeguards on as we were on a cruise ride just going out fishing).
thankfully she had her tekvest on and she didnt get hurt any worse than she did. the sleds right upper a arm bolt backed out and caused the failure. i tore the front plastics off the next am and found the issue, reinstalled the bolt with locktite (again) and for giggles checked the left side. IT WAS LOOSE TOO.
i cant imagine what would have happened to either of us at a higher rate of speed. she was only going 2-3 mph crossing a road/driveway from a stop. i was testing clutching, and the new drivers i installed just minutes before we switched sleds. someone was looking out for both of us.
just giving a heads up to check your bolts guys. ski
make sure you all check your upper arms on stock and aftermarket front upper a arms a few times a year.
the wife and i switched sleds because hers broke the scratchers and she couldnt keep the sled cool in the spring riding conditions we were encountering. i could drag my feet and keep the sled cool. as she crossed a road on my sled to go to the home we were renting, the sled made an abrupt right turn, and flipped over sending her over the bars, rolling the sled on to it's side. the bars stabbed her thigh, and her knee's took some abuse from the ground impact (didnt have her kneeguards on as we were on a cruise ride just going out fishing).
thankfully she had her tekvest on and she didnt get hurt any worse than she did. the sleds right upper a arm bolt backed out and caused the failure. i tore the front plastics off the next am and found the issue, reinstalled the bolt with locktite (again) and for giggles checked the left side. IT WAS LOOSE TOO.
i cant imagine what would have happened to either of us at a higher rate of speed. she was only going 2-3 mph crossing a road/driveway from a stop. i was testing clutching, and the new drivers i installed just minutes before we switched sleds. someone was looking out for both of us.
just giving a heads up to check your bolts guys. ski
YamaMTX
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Just wondering if you can explain a little better which bolts you had problems with, any pics? I had about 100 miles on mine and found some bolts loose where the arms connect to the ski spindle (or whatever it is called) I have never seen this with my history of snowmobiling. It is a scary area to have something go wrong. Glad you guys are ok! I would like any pointers on preventing things like this.
Ironmanstl
Pro
Funny you bring that up,
I replaced my a-arms 3 weeks ago and torqued the bolts correctly.
I have the 09 service manual and it doesn't say anything about putting loctite on the threads, so I didn't. After reading a few horror stories and heading out for a week long trip to the mountains tomorrow, I took all my bolts out and put locktite on them today.
Makes you wonder if the service manual doesn't say anything about loctite for these bolts if some dealers ar doing it on assembly....
I replaced my a-arms 3 weeks ago and torqued the bolts correctly.
I have the 09 service manual and it doesn't say anything about putting loctite on the threads, so I didn't. After reading a few horror stories and heading out for a week long trip to the mountains tomorrow, I took all my bolts out and put locktite on them today.
Makes you wonder if the service manual doesn't say anything about loctite for these bolts if some dealers ar doing it on assembly....
skidooboy
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
there is one long bolt on each side that holds the upper a arm to the sub frame. easy view and access is hidden by the nose cone. the head is a 14mm you could possibly get an end wrench in there to check them. ski
If that bolt is coming loose like that it would lead me to believe that the sleeve inside arm pivot isnt long enough to force the bolt to pinch it or it dug into the aluminum somehow.In otherwords the sleeve is rotating along with the a-arm which loosens the bolt.That sleeve should never move.
skidooboy
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
after a review of the fasteners and thinking (yeah i know) what we can do to fix this... i may have a really cheap and easy fix. LOCK WASHER on the back of the bolt head. it will cost about a dime to fix both sides. remove the front bumper and nose cone, remove the long bolt, clean the threads on the bolt and the nut insert in frame, add loctite, and the lock washer. re-torque. things you come up with when you are in the shower. (sorry for the visual). ski
Grimm
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I really am surprised that Yamaha has not come out with a Service bulletin or Recall on this one.
This is a SAFETY issue and if something happens, they would be liable.
Report this to your Dealer, or to Yamaha.
This is a SAFETY issue and if something happens, they would be liable.
Report this to your Dealer, or to Yamaha.
