Please help new Phazer dangerously squirrely!

[porkchop]

That spindle is junk.
Agree w/ DGZRT on the spring, it looks 1/2 cranked down- loosen it up some and keep trying it, adjust the ski pressure.
If your steering is tight with no slop that is ok, most are so loose and have a ton of play in them from worn out plastic bushing (about 3 pivot points in the steering column). A-arm bushings are another plastic wear item, replacing with Oilite metal ones help tighten things in this area.

The phazer is a type of sled that requires body English to ride it, it's top heavy & tippy, you have to lean and work at keeping it inline around corners- no 2 up couch just sitting and enjoy the scenery. Everyone has different suspension set ups, ski/ carbide combinations but most of it is pretty close (comes down to a preference on how you want it). With some tweeking & adjustments it will get better.
Reverse- once in a while you have to rock it pretty hard from side to side to get things aligned, a common issue.

Mine was fun but also became a $$$ pit for 3 years, tumbling over a few large bumps finally put it out of it's + my misery....
Good luck

 

[AftonJay]

I have the snow trackers on my Nytro and while it increases the steering effort a little, it sure does track nice. My wife who hated riding my other sleds loves the Nytro and says part of the reason is because it feels so planted.

 

[pdiddy]

Too bad you didn't read up on the Phazer here on TY so you would know what you were getting into. The good news is you've found this place and people are pouring their hearts out with good advise for getting you up and running safely. I long considered a Phazer for my kids but could never take the plunge due to it's reputation. I consider it another lost opportunity by Yamaha in not putting the 4-stroke 2-holer in a conventional chassis.

 

[michiganphazer]

Too bad you didn't read up on the Phazer here on TY so you would know what you were getting into. The good news is you've found this place and people are pouring their hearts out with good advise for getting you up and running safely. I long considered a Phazer for my kids but could never take the plunge due to it's reputation. I consider it another lost opportunity by Yamaha in not putting the 4-stroke 2-holer in a conventional chassis.

yea no kidding. I did read some reviews but none mentioned these issues.

So an update... finally got a chance to work on it. Will be headed north today to try it out and see if there's any improvement.
Also I need to figure out, WHAT is the easiest way to remove the belt?

What I've done so far is adjusted the front shocks as suggested... loosen all the way then tighten 2 turns.
Put all clickers all the way clockwise then forward 4 clicks (bottoms were 22 clicks before... what?!)
Limiter strap to middle holes
Left the shock alone by the limiter strap because I didn't know how to adjust it LOL
Put 1/4" shims under rear of rubbers
Replaced carbides with bergstrom triples, with ski savers

I still haven't figured out the reverse problem. This is a 2010 and all the writeups I found are for 07-09 and supposedly the problem was fixed for the 10's. It will only go in reverse 1 in 10 times, and when it does (or doesn't) its hard to get it back in drive, have to cycle the key, restart sled once or twice. It beeps and the light comes on but won't make the gear engage sound. Rocking it, pulling it etc doesn't help its really random. When trying to engage Reverse if I hit throttle too much it will stall. Any ideas??

Regarding the loose steering... yes its loose but after reading up I think thats too big a job for me at this time.

You're right about learning how to ride it... I think I did get that figured out by the second day and I'm ok with it not being a couch but I know what you mean! I'm hoping its not so much of a workout now if the darting is under control.

 

[AftonJay]

Based on the pictures you provided of the damaged spindle I don't think anyone can say you should've expected this type of handling, you had a damaged front suspension I am surprised you were able to ride it at all. I think with the adjustments you have made you will be happy. One other thing, I assume you did, but if not is to make sure you check your ski alignment with a little bit of toe out (front of skis slightly farther apart than rear of skis) not sure of the spec typically it is around 1/4-1/2 inch. The easiest way to remove the belt is to either push in on the center of the secondary (rear clutch) while simultaneously rotating clockwise with the parking brake on. If you cannot manage that you can try grabbing both sheaves (plate like surfaces) again on secondary, in the area where the belt is not touching from about 7-10 o'clock pulling up on the back one while pushing down on the front one this will cause them to separate and the top of the belt should slip down allowing you to do it a couple of times. Then grab the bottom of the belt and kind of rotate it out like putting a chain on a bike only opposite.

 

[DGZRT]

This all so works well http://www.richmotorsports.com/store/yamaha-belt-change-tool.html

Aftonjay is totally correct on how to get the belt off. once you have done it a few times it's easy . Make sure parking break is on first!

Lets us know if the advice made any difference! I think you will be happy !!

 

[Mooseman]

This all so works well http://www.richmotorsports.com/store/yamaha-belt-change-tool.html

From their page:
( Will not fit 07 and newer Phazer or Venture Lite or 2014 up SR Viper or 08 up FX Nytro )

We just had to change the belt on my son's Phazer on the trail when it blew again. To remove, just pull the belt out on the bottom of the secondary and turn it forward. To install, start it at the bottom of the secondary and turn forward again. Might be a bit tougher so if you have a helper, push the sled forward at the same time.

For the reverse, from what I can tell, if there is too much tension on the secondary, it won't shift. Could be the belt or the secondary needs a shim adjustment. Check the chain adjustment. If it's too tight, I have found it made a difference to adjust it a little looser than what Yamaha calls for. Turn the adjuster until you just feel a little resistance and back off 1/4 turn. I have also found that the original for '07 8GS-17641-00 belt works better than the updated 8GK-17641-10. All else fails, get off the sled and lift the rear in the air and she'll shift.

It's normal that it limits engine speed while trying to shift into reverse and if you keep the throttle open, it will stall due to the lean condition.

 

[michiganphazer]

Alright well I'm back from up north and I have to say I REALLY like this sled now!! It was truly a night and day difference!! You guys rock. I got it up to 85 and no darting at all. I can actually relax a little while riding now.
I actually didn't make any further adjustments to the shocks. One thing I noticed on trails is the back end would slip around easy and like fishtail. I got used to it but if there's something I could do to lessen that I'll try it. Also the skis lift pretty easy on turns but I think thats the nature of this lighter sled.

Didn't have to change the belt but now I know how thanks!