MONO SKID FRONT ARM

[JERSEYJOE]

OK I know that a lot people have had front W arm cracks as well as breakage. I was planning on removing my skid and having the front arm reinforced as a precaution. I have about 7500 miles and I can't see any cracks ( still mounted in the sled ), but I don't want it to fail on the way around the GASPE next February. I realizr that i should have had this apart during the summer, but had not time. I don't want at this time to disable the sled and lose weeks of ride time either.

My question: is it just a matter of time before the arm cracks and breaks or does it matter about riding style. Also goes for the drive axle. Should I just bite the bullet and change both?

 

[sherlock29]

what year is your sled?

 

[JERSEYJOE]

my sled

It is a 2006 Apex GT. trail riding no studs

 

[ROCKERDAN]

if the skid is still in sled,there is a good chance you have a crack but cannot see it.....i thought mine was fine cause i ride mostly groomed trails but it had a small crack on top where you cannot see it in sled.

I think its a matter of time with these,unless you really only ever baby the sled.

as for the driveshaft,i would run it....i dont think these are as bad as some think....many have gone without breaking them for lots of miles.

Dan

 

[apltx08]

If you want my opinion...bite the bullet and change both, I changed my axle with 6000 miles on it as preventive maintenace, they tend to snap around the 6-8000 miles, also replace your lower driveshaft bearing in chaincase while you have it apart and oil seal and for your front PIVOT arm send it to http://halfbakedcoatings.com/MONOBEEFUPKIT.aspx or order a new '08/'09 which is a direct bolt on for your sled already BEEFED-UP from YAM.

 

[JERSEYJOE]

08-09 arm

Does Yamaha supersede the 06 part number to the new part number? If it is a better direct bolt in you would think they would. Not sure if the dealer will install something from the " wrong " year.

Is the 08-09 arm as good as the aftermarket built up ones?

 

[redrx1rkt]

Hey Joe - It's Chris - I met you once on one of Rex's trips to Quebec...not sure if you remember me...

My riding style is pretty similar to yours, and my front arm was cracked in 6 spots. I bet your original is cracked as well, but you can't see the damage. The cracks on my front arm were only visible with the skid taken apart. I ended up putting in a 2010 upgraded W-arm. There's a huge difference in the strength of the 2010 part vs. our 2006 parts. This new part ran me about $330, which is about $100 more than Half-baked can do basically the same thing. Only problem is downtime. You could buy the new part from Yamaha, and I bet a dealer would have one in stock, and change it out when get a chance. Just an idea.

Is your Gaspe trip planned by Rex? When is it in February?

 

[apltx08]

Re: 08-09 arm

Does Yamaha supersede the 06 part number to the new part number? If it is a better direct bolt in you would think they would. Not sure if the dealer will install something from the " wrong " year.

Is the 08-09 arm as good as the aftermarket built up ones?

Part #8FT-47331-01-00 ('08-'09) is the BEEFED-UP 1 you want to order, Port Yamaha has it for $335.00 and the non beefed up ('06-'07) part #8FT-47331-00-00 is $309.00

Yes the OEM is a bit stronger than a re-built, OEM have a bigger upper cross tube and the bracing is a bit better but the price is STEEPER...here's a pic of my '08

 

[apltx08]

I ended up putting in a 2010 upgraded W-arm. There's a huge difference in the strength of the 2010 part vs. our 2006 parts.

To my knoledge the '10 will NOT fit the old style MONO suspension due to '10 having the new needle bearings on lower rail mounts (different rail profile) which '09 or older don't have...

 

[JERSEYJOE]

BEEFED UP ARM

THANKS FOR THE INFO.!!

ANY OTHER SUPERSEDED PARTS OR IMPROVEMENTS MADE?

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I ORDER?

 

[apltx08]

Some '06 had bad CHAINCASE covers, the cover and gasket were not seating properly and leading to gasket getting out of place and leaking oil...

 

[JERSEYJOE]

chaincase cover

I already changed that back in 2008

 

[redrx1rkt]

apltx08 - the one you have pics of is exactly the one that's in my sled now. I was told it was a 2010, but I guess it's a 2009.

 

[apltx08]

apltx08 - the one you have pics of is exactly the one that's in my sled now. I was told it was a 2010, but I guess it's a 2009.

I've noticed that the '10 has a tottaly different part # maybe it does fit but I haven't tried fitting 1 myself on the old style MONO yet.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

2010 mono 2 skid arm is nothing like mono 1,it wont fit.

dan