Replacing rear shock 16 Apex

[Apexpat]

I’m replacing the original fox float with the updated 18 fox float. Does the suspension need to be removed or is it as simple as lifting the rear suspension off the ground and removing 2 bolts from old shock and installing new one? This is the single shot skid not the mono shock.

 

[1nc 2000]

I replaced mine in the sled while lifted in air. I have the 146.
Let the air out of the shock first.
Remove the aft radius arm bolts, and aft shock bolt.
Remove front shock bolt and pivot fwd to get bolt out past the idler wheel.
Install in reverse order .
I had to loosen up the spring preload to get the aft shock bolt in.
Hope this helps.
Mines an Elka shock but install will be similar.

 

[Apexpat]

I replaced mine in the sled while lifted in air. I have the 146.
Let the air out of the shock first.
Remove the aft radius arm bolts, and aft shock bolt.
Remove front shock bolt and pivot fwd to get bolt out past the idler wheel.
Install in reverse order .
I had to loosen up the spring preload to get the aft shock bolt in.
Hope this helps.
Mines an Elka shock but install will be similar.

Thanks for the response. I’m sure the elka is great. I have the short track and elka doesn’t make a shock for it. Yamaha was great and gave me the updated shock so I’m trying this first. When you say loosen spring preload I’m not sure what you’re referring too?

 

[1nc 2000]

My mistake, I thought you bought the hi gear shock with the coil on it.
Let the air out of your new shock before installing so rhw bolt lines up easier, then air it to recommended pressure after install.

 

[crk1333]

Super easy to do

let the air out of both shocks
lift the rear end
undo do the bolts
swap it


Then enjoy the new ride. So much better

 

[Snorunner]

Thanks for the response. I’m sure the elka is great. I have the short track and elka doesn’t make a shock for it. Yamaha was great and gave me the updated shock so I’m trying this first. When you say loosen spring preload I’m not sure what you’re referring too?

If you don't mind me asking how did you convince Yamaha to give you a new shock?

 

[crk1333]

I asked my local dealer who was not in business when I bought the sled for it. They were of no help.

I asked my purchasing dealer (meyer) and they were able to get me one pretty quickly. They even shipped it to me free of charge. They have always been extremely helpful when on trips to the UP when someone in my group needed help

 

[Snorunner]

Thanks for the reply. My purchase dealer e-mailed Yamaha. And printed their reply and gave it to me. Yamaha said we do not know of an updated shock for the Vector only the Apex. They are the same shock. I guess I need to call customer service and see what I can do. But I guess I will show my dealer some of the posts on here first. I know his tech agreed that the sag I had when air pressure was set to spec was not right. So I will stop whining on here and see what happens Lol.

 

[Snorunner]

So I called Yamaha customer service. Their in California so It was not too late to call and they told me the same thing the service bulletin only applies to Apex. Even though I told them it is the same part#. So they told me I have to take it to the dealer and have them call or e-mail Yamaha and tell them the shock is defective. My purchase dealers on the first and 2nd one are 70 miles away. Great customer service. Not! The nearest dealer 25 miles away last year told me 6 weeks to get an oil change. Because he can't find help. Maybe he should pay more than $20.00 a flat rate hour! So I changed my own oil. I would have bought from them but they did not have any in stock. I just wanted to document the oil change. Thank you again for your reply. But just because an Apex costs more than a Vector should not determine who gets this problem fixed. So now I have to load up the sleds and show the dealer that when the airshock is set to the correct pressure according to their owners manual. I can only get a 1/4" sag when standing on the rear of the tunnel and rocking from side to side. I have tried lowering the pressure only to have the track balloon and rub the bottom of the tunnel. I am very impressed by the build quality of these sleds. But they obviously did not do proper R&D on these suspensions. So can anybody tell me that their YES warranty did them any good? Would love to here from you before I buy one for my 2nd Vector.

 

[maim]

i think it was hygear that offers a replacement coil-over assembly for the 16-18 apex xtx. considering it for my 16 i just bought if i get no love from yamaha on an upgrade if needed.

 

[Snorunner]

i think it was hygear that offers a replacement coil-over assembly for the 16-18 apex xtx. considering it for my 16 i just bought if i get no love from yamaha on an upgrade if needed.

Maim: I agree I do not want to have to hike out of the woods because I decided to build a spare gas can mount and a cargo rack for my Vector. Because Yamaha stopped building accessories for these sleds. I know that Hygear really has the only solution for this problem. Just trying to get Yamaha to give me a solution until I pay these sleds off! By the way if you have an Apex they will take care of you. They can't argue with their own service Bulletin. If I had bought An Apex I would be good to go!

 

[Stubbs]

Elka also has a replacement shock for this skid. I have no idea how well it works.

 

[TrueBlue]

So I called Yamaha customer service. Their in California so It was not too late to call and they told me the same thing the service bulletin only applies to Apex. Even though I told them it is the same part#. So they told me I have to take it to the dealer and have them call or e-mail Yamaha and tell them the shock is defective. My purchase dealers on the first and 2nd one are 70 miles away. Great customer service. Not! The nearest dealer 25 miles away last year told me 6 weeks to get an oil change. Because he can't find help. Maybe he should pay more than $20.00 a flat rate hour! So I changed my own oil. I would have bought from them but they did not have any in stock. I just wanted to document the oil change. Thank you again for your reply. But just because an Apex costs more than a Vector should not determine who gets this problem fixed. So now I have to load up the sleds and show the dealer that when the airshock is set to the correct pressure according to their owners manual. I can only get a 1/4" sag when standing on the rear of the tunnel and rocking from side to side. I have tried lowering the pressure only to have the track balloon and rub the bottom of the tunnel. I am very impressed by the build quality of these sleds. But they obviously did not do proper R&D on these suspensions. So can anybody tell me that their YES warranty did them any good? Would love to here from you before I buy one for my 2nd Vector.

I received the updated shock on my 2018 Vector from the dealer at no charge. I told them if I don't get the updated shock I WON'T buy the machine.

 

[CaptCaper]

I just installed a Hygear and it's awesome. I followed the procedure above. Upper shock bolt and brackets then lower bolt/brackets.. with air out of both it's a simple switch.. Installing the Hygear was a bit more more but worth it for my use. The upgraded shock I had rode nice but since I've added more weight with tools so I needed a big boy spring to be safe.

 

[Apexpat]

Elka also has a replacement shock for this skid. I have no idea how well it works.

Elka replacement is only for the long track not short track.