lets play..... FIND..WHATS..BENT?? (please:)

[sethryder]

Hey Guys,
I noticed that the front shocks on my 07 phazer fx are no longer equally spaced between the A-arms. When I purchased the sled 2 years ago the shocks seemed too close to the front of the A-arms (pencil width) but I was told as long as both sides are the same not to worry about it. Well... now both sides are not the same. Left shock is more centered, right is closer to front of a-arm. The left set of arms seems further back than the right also. I do recall hitting something under the snow at the end of last season. Didnt stop the sled but bent the ski back towards me. The caster on the spindles seems different also.
I took measurement from my rail extensions to the left ski bolt and got 82 1/4", left lower a-arm 80 3/8, and upper a-arm 79 1/8. right side ski bolt 82 5/8, right lower a-arm 80 5/8, right upper arm 79 3/16. So it seems like the left side is 3/8" farther back at the lowest point to the ground and gradually less as you move up through the suspension. Looks like the a-arms are fairly straight using a straight edge and the mounting points on the subframe dont seem bent as far as I can see. Something has to be bent though...a-arms, subframe (bulkhead) or both. I do have some slop in a-arm bushings and I plan on replacing, but not enough to make this difference...
Can anyone offer advice as to how to determine which parts I should replace? pictures below if that helps.
Thanks!!!
-seth

 

[blueironranger]

Both times I hit something decently hard the lower rear arm bolt broke and egged out the mounting hole in bulk head. Both times the bolt snapped on the nut end and I didn't notice until loading the sled on the trailer so the broke bolt was hammering out the mount while riding. A small 1/8" of movement in that mounting hole is a good 1/2"+ out at the balljoint. I welded a washer to the bulkhead to fix it when I pulled it to change the oil filter.

 

[sethryder]

Thanks for the reply blueironranger, i really appreciate it. So it sounds like the best thing to do would be to take apart the front end until i can remove the subframe/bulkhead? Are the oil change directions from connondale27 the recomended instructions to follow for this sort of job?
Thanks

 

[blueironranger]

Yes, pulling the subframe actually works better than the factory oil filter method plus it allows you to inspect all the rod ends in steering system at the same time. There is a slight possibility that you bent the subframe BUT it not nearly as common as tweaking a Nytro subframe. I highly recommend installing the oilite bushings at the same time and the Upbushman steering kit too!

 

[Mooseman]

I had bought a wrecked Phazer where the A-arms hit a pole. The A-arm mounting holes were egged out at the rear. Instead of washers, I welded on nuts so now I don't need a wrench on that end to pull the bolt.

 

[Voda2000]

I had bought a wrecked Phazer where the A-arms hit a pole. The A-arm mounting holes were egged out at the rear. Instead of washers, I welded on nuts so now I don't need a wrench on that end to pull the bolt.

Welding the nut is a good idea!

 

[sethryder]

Thanks everyone for your input and ideas. Ill start digging into the sled hopefully next week and keep you posted on my findings! Or more likely ask more questions on what exactly I should be doing....

 

[cannondale27]

Seth my daughter and I bend the A-arms every year. Very weak design for a arm that long. Just get a good strong piece of wood and put it between arms and bend them back. Every other tip is great but try that.Takes 5 minutes. Always intended to reinforce them but have never bothered.

 

[Cubby]

Mine looks the same. Shock is closer to the arm on one of the sides (can't remember which side). The arms are straight. I checked the subframe and it looks good as well. No ovalized holes either when I had them off to install oillite bushings. Its been that way for many years and hasn't caused me any issues.

Looking forward to see what you find out on yours.

 

[sethryder]

I think in my case I must of at least tweaked something because they were spaced even last year. Ill
let you know what I find as soon as I am able to start digging in. I wanted to do arm bushings and probably steering kit anyways. Are there seperate bushings for the bulkhead that I should order?
Thanks guys!

 

[cannondale27]

No Bulkhead bushings. Just in the A-arms and steering. Just to clarify its always been the Upper arms and once a lower that bent on mine.

 

[sethryder]

No Bulkhead bushings. Just in the A-arms and steering. Just to clarify its always been the Upper arms and once a lower that bent on mine.

Thanks cannondale