Larger Upper Wheels to Prevent Track Rub on Monoshock

[hibshman25]

Has anyone ever tried running slightly larger upper wheels on the 121 skid to prevent track from rubbing on shock? Larger wheels would provide more clearance to protect shock eye. I can source some wheels that are about 1/8" larger in overall diameter than the stock wheels so it would yield an additional 1/16" of clearance to protect the shock.

I can also source some wheels that would yield 1/2" of clearance. These for sure would protect the shock, but under full bottom out would protrude past the bottom of slide by about 1/4. Would probably not yield any issues but need to do some test fit ups.

Just curious if anyone has tried this over the years?

 

[TrueBlue]

Has anyone ever tried running slightly larger upper wheels on the 121 skid to prevent track from rubbing on shock? Larger wheels would provide more clearance to protect shock eye. I can source some wheels that are about 1/8" larger in overall diameter than the stock wheels so it would yield an additional 1/16" of clearance to protect the shock.

I can also source some wheels that would yield 1/2" of clearance. These for sure would protect the shock, but under full bottom out would protrude past the bottom of slide by about 1/4. Would probably not yield any issues but need to do some test fit ups.

Just curious if anyone has tried this over the years?

Good idea on the largerr upper wheels.

 

[sgauthier]

If your referring to the top of the shock when the track comes around? ulmer has a kit that uses a longer shock bolt and a bearing on each side so the track just rolls over the end of the shock. i have it on my XTX. i've been running that ulmer kit for 8 years with no issues and shock is now protected. I haven't even had to replace the bearings yet either

 

[hibshman25]

If your referring to the top of the shock when the track comes around? ulmer has a kit that uses a longer shock bolt and a bearing on each side so the track just rolls over the end of the shock. i have it on my XTX. i've been running that ulmer kit for 8 years with no issues and shock is now protected. I haven't even had to replace the bearings yet either

Wow...every skid I've ever pulled apart that had that kit the bearings were froze or only the inner race remained so I was looking for another solution.

 

[sgauthier]

it's easy enough to replace the bearings if i need to thou. larger wheels might work as well

 

[IH8CROWS]

Mine from Ulmer were froze up.

 

[sgauthier]

It's no different then idler wheel bearings, they need to be checked , cleaned out and then repacked. I've never had too but I will do them next fall during my preseason maintenance. If need be i'll replace them then.

 

[twyztid]

If your referring to the top of the shock when the track comes around? ulmer has a kit that uses a longer shock bolt and a bearing on each side so the track just rolls over the end of the shock. i have it on my XTX. i've been running that ulmer kit for 8 years with no issues and shock is now protected. I haven't even had to replace the bearings yet either

I have the same kit on my 06 Apex GT and it has worked well for over 5000 miles.

Mine from Ulmer were froze up.

It doesn't really matter if the bearings seize up. The outer race of the bearing is smooth enough that the track still glides over it

 

[steiner]

I like the idea. Every bearing that I have seen mounted up there with the shock has failed at some time. Just like the rest of the skid those little bearings need serviced. Probably twice as often than the other bearings in the skid
My only concern about running larger wheels would be track clearance to the tunnel protectors.

 

[IH8CROWS]

It's no different then idler wheel bearings, they need to be checked , cleaned out and then repacked. I've never had too but I will do them next fall during my preseason maintenance. If need be i'll replace them then.

Ya i did that.
Guess it was a fluke

 

[o's srx]

Just FYI, If using larger diameter wheels be careful of how big, as I ran into the issue when I replaced my oem RTX skid with a ZX2. There wasn't enough clearance with the OEM studded 1.25" Ripsaw and the center studs on the track were wearing the exhaust clamps. My only solution was to drop the mounts below the running boards to give the extra clearance I required. (It actually rides and drives 100% better this way for me as now I can actually turn the sled without needing the limiter straps pulled up all the way!)
This situation may or may not appear, but just a "heads up" none the less!

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Just FYI, If using larger diameter wheels be careful of how big, as I ran into the issue when I replaced my oem RTX skid with a ZX2. There wasn't enough clearance with the OEM studded 1.25" Ripsaw and the center studs on the track were wearing the exhaust clamps. My only solution was to drop the mounts below the running boards to give the extra clearance I required. (It actually rides and drives 100% better this way for me as now I can actually turn the sled without needing the limiter straps pulled up all the way!)
This situation may or may not appear, but just a "heads up" none the less!

Was thinking of moving my XTX skid to those lower holes and see if made a difference in ride.

Travis I would be interested in bigger wheel for my 09 monoshock, it does rub a little bit.

 

[steiner]

Just FYI, If using larger diameter wheels be careful of how big, as I ran into the issue when I replaced my oem RTX skid with a ZX2. There wasn't enough clearance with the OEM studded 1.25" Ripsaw and the center studs on the track were wearing the exhaust clamps. My only solution was to drop the mounts below the running boards to give the extra clearance I required. (It actually rides and drives 100% better this way for me as now I can actually turn the sled without needing the limiter straps pulled up all the way!)
This situation may or may not appear, but just a "heads up" none the less!

I had my 1.325 studs on the factory Ripsaw cut off my clamps, gouge the exhaust and cut thru the rear bulkhead. Had to lower the protectors to stop this from happening.
I think if you were studless and removed the protectors a 1/2" larger wheel would be the ticket to save the shock.

 

[sgauthier]

Steiner. Really?? i've got almost 25000km and i have never had those types of problems/damage running studs on my XTX and i ride it hard but i don't do roadway jumps thou. LOL i have had to replace the u brackets holding the protectors thou but i have modified those since and still holding up well.

 

[steiner]

Steiner. Really?? i've got almost 25000km and i have never had those types of problems/damage running studs on my XTX and i ride it hard but i don't do roadway jumps thou. LOL i have had to replace the u brackets holding the protectors thou but i have modified those since and still holding up well.

Yup. One season with studs and all this happened. My buddy's '06 Apex did the same thing. We both modded the protectors to prevent the exhaust from being ripped apart.