RTX Rear Suspension Sit-in or sag

[Gone Blue]

I have been working on other TY guys sleds this summer and have ignored mine. My 09' RTX was put away at the end of last season with fresh oil and filter, greased, etc. But this summer moving it around the garage I was thinking the rear suspension seemed to be sagging?? Over the past couple seasons I have read all of the recommendations on here for suspension set up. I have my stretched 144" RTX rear skid set up with the front skid shock spring just above loose and the rear torsion spring set on the softness setting. I was really happy last season how the sled rode and handled. The sled has a total of 2,400 miles on it and the shocks have not been touched. I was planning to get thru this season and go through the skid next summer with having shocks rebuilt and the skid arms powder coated, etc.

So how does my sled sit compared to yours? Looking at it today, I don't see any leaks from either of the rear shocks and it doesn't look like it sits too bad maybe afterall. Have a look at the link arm position as compared to the stops and let me know what you think. Just wondering if the shocks need to be freshened up after all?

Thanks, G.B.

 

[cannondale27]

Ride height has very little if anything to do with the shocks. Only way I know of to check your shocks short of a shock dyno is to remove them.compress,the shaft should return to fully extended on its own smoothly and quietly. Look for obvious signs of oil leaking. Best way to check them is to take them apart but then you may as well refresh them. Mine is resting against the transfer blocks but once I am done with cleaning all the shafts and pivots in skid it will be about half way point or even more. Think about all the places your skid can stick or drag a little and it adds up to sag. Even the track against the rails has a big effect. If you are concerned you should just get the shocks done and clean everything in skid otherwise just ride. I personally like a low ride sag since it improves handling. Trick is to get the shocks to work well with low ride height If shocks work good you really dont need a spring except for the little stuff.

 

[xt_gt]

g.b., i went thru same as you. was unsure of the sag.

i didn't like how mine did not come back up aft. getting off the sled. i broke down & tore the skid out & found my shock was blown. no signs of leaks either.

so i'm hoping that my new shock fixes the prob. i just got it together along with new upper wheels & greased it up. i just need to install & will check where mine sits.

 

[Gone Blue]

Ride height has very little if anything to do with the shocks. Only way I know of to check your shocks short of a shock dyno is to remove them.compress,the shaft should return to fully extended on its own smoothly and quietly. Look for obvious signs of oil leaking. Best way to check them is to take them apart but then you may as well refresh them. Mine is resting against the transfer blocks but once I am done with cleaning all the shafts and pivots in skid it will be about half way point or even more. Think about all the places your skid can stick or drag a little and it adds up to sag. Even the track against the rails has a big effect. If you are concerned you should just get the shocks done and clean everything in skid otherwise just ride. I personally like a low ride sag since it improves handling. Trick is to get the shocks to work well with low ride height If shocks work good you really dont need a spring except for the little stuff.

That all makes sense. When I hit the transfer block everything stiffens up. I am sure if I moved the torsion springs to the middle setting I would see the sled sit up higher. I am thinking I am going to run it and see how it goes. Thanks as always for your help. G.B.

 

[Gone Blue]

g.b., i went thru same as you. was unsure of the sag.

i didn't like how mine did not come back up aft. getting off the sled. i broke down & tore the skid out & found my shock was blown. no signs of leaks either.

so i'm hoping that my new shock fixes the prob. i just got it together along with new upper wheels & greased it up. i just need to install & will check where mine sits.

Thanks XT GT. Keep us posted how your sled sits after you get it back together.

Thanks, G.B.

 

[yamahas]

The only time I have 0 sag is when I take everything apart clean the old grease and re grease. It won't last long though.

Good shock/valving is the way to go. I run my RTX springs on soft as long as it keeps the sled up enough and just use the shock to control the ride.

The reason I will not come back up is the friction in the joints. Old caked grease adds to this friction.

 

[canoehead]

A set of Hygear torsion spring spacers made a night and day difference on the wife's 08 Phazer. She gets off and you can watch it actually watch it rise to full travel in about 2-3 seconds.

 

[xt_gt]

g.b.,

good news is your shocks are prob. good still.

mine sits in the exact location between the transfer blocks when i get off the sled.

i still have to lift the sled to get it to come back up which i didn't like, but when i got to thinking the suspension drops when going over the whoops or when jumping.

by the time i try and put my weight on the rear of sled to hit the back transfer blocks, the shocks overcome the suspension & the front of the sled lifts.

(also am running some homemade torsion spacers)

 

[Gone Blue]

g.b.,

good news is your shocks are prob. good still.

mine sits in the exact location between the transfer blocks when i get off the sled.

i still have to lift the sled to get it to come back up which i didn't like, but when i got to thinking the suspension drops when going over the whoops or when jumping.

by the time i try and put my weight on the rear of sled to hit the back transfer blocks, the shocks overcome the suspension & the front of the sled lifts.

(also am running some homemade torsion spacers)

Cool, thanks so much for the update xt gt. I was second guessing myself and needed some reinforcement from you guys. Thanks again.

G.B.