I'm having a heck of a time removing my old sliders to replace them on my '05 Vec. Mnt. I have only gotten one to move about 1". To me it would be easier to tighten up the straps, remove the 4 mounting bolts, jack up the back end and pull out the skid assy. Can this be done or am I missing something?
B
BigFoot
I'm assuming, of course that you have the retainer bolts out! LOL If you're at the front of the sled driving them out with a punch or something, a lot of times the back of the slider will catch on a track clip at the back. Make sure the back end is lined up with an open window in the track. Also, make sure the slider will even fit through the track window.
Grimm
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Maybe spray some sort of lube between the rail and slider and let it soak for a bit. Knock the sliders backward with a hammer and chisel/punch/screwdriver. Did you loosen up the track tension? Do so. If you can get a few inches of the slider exposed at the back, you can get a pair of vice grips and clamp on the slider through a track window and pull/twist it through. Once you do get the slider to pull through the window a bit, start your sled and put it in reverse and give a bit of throttle. The slider will peel right off.
WarriorBeads
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This certainly doesn't help you right now, BUT..... When I reinstal my sliders I always give a good dose of lube (wd-40, liquid wrench, white lithium grease, or whatever you prefer) to both the slide rail and the inside of the slider.....seems to help a lot next season when I go to take them off.... good luck. 
twomorestrokes
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Grimm said:
You've tried this too huh Grimm? Work good for you without hurting the track? I read this last year and I am intrigued...
Yeah, bolts are out. Track is loosened and lined up. I can't get a chisel, punch , or screwdriver in place good enough to get a swing at it. I also don't have reverse...
Grimm
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Ok then, before trying the reverse thing, I had difficulty too. A lot of brute force was required the first time I did it.
I ended up taking a screwdriver (large flat head), or a chisel may be better here, feed through the track window and wedge it between the slider and rail. Keep prying until the slider peels off the rail. Maybe some heating of the slider here will help to soften it up too. Once you get enough slider to peel off, you can grab it and try to peel them off manually. You could also pull them through the wind and spin the track backwards with your hands to assist you.
Can you hoist your sled up to get under it better? That way you have easier access to hammer and chisel at the front edge of the slider. I've also have some success using a punch and hammering it in the side of slide and them hammering it backwards. Just be careful not to punch into the aluminum rail.
I ended up taking a screwdriver (large flat head), or a chisel may be better here, feed through the track window and wedge it between the slider and rail. Keep prying until the slider peels off the rail. Maybe some heating of the slider here will help to soften it up too. Once you get enough slider to peel off, you can grab it and try to peel them off manually. You could also pull them through the wind and spin the track backwards with your hands to assist you.
Can you hoist your sled up to get under it better? That way you have easier access to hammer and chisel at the front edge of the slider. I've also have some success using a punch and hammering it in the side of slide and them hammering it backwards. Just be careful not to punch into the aluminum rail.
B
BigFoot
I usually try to line up a track window in the front, where the bolt is. Use a punch and drive against the countersunk hole the bolt goes in. It will probably deform the hole somewhat, but if they're coming off it doesn't matter. Once they start to move, they will usually keep going. Or try Grimm's idea - if you don't have reverse, maybe you can manually turn the secondary in reverse to accomplish the same thing. Good Luck!!
Well, alot of choice words and a bigger mallet and I got them off. Once I got them through the window and was able to get a vice grips on them (then a screwdriver through the vice grips for a handle) I was able to yank them off.
Getting them on was a PITA too. I found out if you don't have a bit of up pressure on the slide when hammering it on it will jump a rail and mar up the side of the slide. It is torn up in a 1/2" section up front but I think it will be ok. I got a scribe in the front holes and was able to align them pretty easy.
Looking at the old ones... they have a weird wear pattern to them. I can see were half way through my 400 miles on my sled I changed the front setup. The back of the slider is a different story. The last 1.5' of the slide is almost untouched. In front of that is 1' of bad wear. The rest of the slide looks ok. Maybe it's time to look into better rails?
Thanks for all the help guys.
Getting them on was a PITA too. I found out if you don't have a bit of up pressure on the slide when hammering it on it will jump a rail and mar up the side of the slide. It is torn up in a 1/2" section up front but I think it will be ok. I got a scribe in the front holes and was able to align them pretty easy.
Looking at the old ones... they have a weird wear pattern to them. I can see were half way through my 400 miles on my sled I changed the front setup. The back of the slider is a different story. The last 1.5' of the slide is almost untouched. In front of that is 1' of bad wear. The rest of the slide looks ok. Maybe it's time to look into better rails?
Thanks for all the help guys.
Indy
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I took one of my extra air chisel blades and cut it off flat. It drives the sliders right off. I also use this to put them back on with a little help of some grease.
Grimm
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dugedug said:Well, alot of choice words and a bigger mallet and I got them off. Once I got them through the window and was able to get a vice grips on them (then a screwdriver through the vice grips for a handle) I was able to yank them off.
Getting them on was a PITA too. I found out if you don't have a bit of up pressure on the slide when hammering it on it will jump a rail and mar up the side of the slide. It is torn up in a 1/2" section up front but I think it will be ok. I got a scribe in the front holes and was able to align them pretty easy.
Looking at the old ones... they have a weird wear pattern to them. I can see were half way through my 400 miles on my sled I changed the front setup. The back of the slider is a different story. The last 1.5' of the slide is almost untouched. In front of that is 1' of bad wear. The rest of the slide looks ok. Maybe it's time to look into better rails?
Thanks for all the help guys.
I had the slider pop off the rail while installing too...I hope you put some lube between slider and rail when you installed them? All in all, it probably would be in your best interest to remove the entire suspension next time. This way you can give your entire system a once over.
As for your slider wear, I don't have experience with your suspension, however perhaps you could install a set of idler wheels where there is significant wear?
