Rear Skid Bolts that mount into drop brackets

[SilentSno]

I did my track swap last night, and found it pretty darn easy, even I got the reverse linkage sliped in with just a little bit of trickery.

But I have yet to get my rear skid mounted into the drop brackets.

1st) I've was doing this by myself and another set of hands would probably be wonders.

2nd) I think it might be easier just unbolting the torsion springs? Yeah?

3rd) I hope I didn't hurt the threads in that shaft, but does anyone know the size and thread pitch of those bolts? I think they are M10 x 1.25 but I want to make sure. The online Yamaha Fiche doesn't tell you. Darn them! The Arctic Cats ones always did for me.

Those last two bolts have been a nightmare so far.

 

[Grimm]

Yes, releasing the torsion springs will help. You could also use a ratchet strap around the rear arm and use it to align the bolt holes.

Can't help ya with the thread pitch on the bolts though.

 

[skidooboy]

release the rear torsion springs pressure from the rear of the skid. install front bolts, then line up the rear skid shaft in the drop brackets one side at a time unless you have a helper. i can install the skid by myself, it is that easy. ski

 

[Bodacious]

As said before totally release the torsion springs, take them right out of the saddles. put a 2x4 on top of the rails under the rear sissor. This will keep the suspension from totally collasping. Now raise the rear bumper and grab a hold of the long end of the torsion spring, you should be able to easily get the bolt holes to allign. Don't fight it, just rais or lower the chassis to the skid, you will find the sweet spot.

 

[SilentSno]

Thanks for everyones replies, i was sure the torsion springs would really help.

Anyone know the info on the bolts for the drop brackets. I want to make sure, just in case i alreadyd screwed up the holes.

 

[woodsrider]

it's much easier and faster to just use a ratchet strap up over the torsion spring and compress the spring alittle than to take the torsion spring loose.

 

[skidooboy]

woods rider, not knocking you but, how is just flipping the torsion retainer on the front of the spring forward, and pulling the spring out, easier than leaving it all connected, wrapping the strap through the suspension, tightening it down till it fits, and then removing the strap?

i dont understand the guys using the straps, doesnt make sense to me to work that hard, when flipping the retainer on the rail forward opens the spring up to pop right out. no need to loosen bolts, or take anything off the skid. this whole process is four bolts and the two spring retainers forward. i can do it by myself with no one helping in and out, in about 10 minutes either way in or out. ski

SS, i measured my bolt last week, thought i messed it up. 10mm x 1.25 pitch 40mm long.

you probably didnt mess up the bolt, it is hardened. the cross shaft is aluminum, and it probably messed up the first few threads in the shaft.

get a 10x 1.25 nut and thread it down over your bolt, a few times, trying to "clean it up" then carefully try to reinstall it into the shaft.

also you can take the good bolt from the otherside, and thread it through the bad side of the shaft or get a tap and clean it up a bit.

hope this helps. ski

 

[SilentSno]

Ski, thanks. I thought it was 10x1.25. I have a tap and die set.

Yeah the bolt is good, its just the first few threads like you said. I'll just get my tap out and clean up the first few threads.

 

[woodsrider]

ski, no offense taken, I beleive it to be easier to remove the skid with the suspension collapsed just a little first. it takes more time to get the ratchet strap than to actually hook it up and ratchet it down a little (less than one minute) by leaving the strap hooked up it is ready to re-install easily (just stick it in and raise/lower the chasis to get the bolt holes to line up) I have never tried your way but I would think the springs flopping around may give a guy some trouble. to each his own. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[swelly]

I am a fan of the ratchet strap.

 

[T-Nytro]

Ratchet strap works good for me.

 

[stewartb]

Tip the sled on it's side. The skid is MUCH easier to align when gravity isn't fighting you.

SB

 

[SilentSno]

I ended up release the torsion springs by just flipping the blocks forward and lifting out the spring so it could hang lower and release tension.

Then with the tunnel lifted up slightly and with a buddy, it was dirt simple to get the skid aligned and bolted in.

 

[Bodacious]

I ended up release the torsion springs by just flipping the blocks forward and lifting out the spring so it could hang lower and release tension.

Then with the tunnel lifted up slightly and with a buddy, it was dirt simple to get the skid aligned and bolted in.

Throw in that 2x4 under the rear arm and your buddy can drink a brew watching you install the skid yourself glad you got it figured out!