cobalt650
Pro
Hey gang. Batting order to set up the new ‘24 LTX-GT EPS. Before the first ride-Precision EFI driveshaft saver. Copper anti-seize for muffler bolts. Duraflex scratchers, mirrors and XL tunnel bag are on. At the 500 mile point, engine oil/filter, DMC top gear and brass shift pads. Seems like the major items for year one. This will be a lonnnnnng term sled, and lead a relatively gentle life. Inputs appreciated!!!!
KnappAttack
24X ISR World Drag Racing Champion
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
- Messages
- 4,690
- Location
- Welch MN
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- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2023 Sidewinder LTX-LE
2017 Sidewinder LTX-LE
Also tack weld tensioner bolts & ROV elimination.
We lost all the oil out of the rear shock on the wife's sled due to the plug not being tightened from factory....charge tube clamps weren't very tight...found a couple zerks in the skids were installed cockeyed...wasn't any lube on pivot points in skids....list goes on. Check every nut and bolt. At least our tensioner screws were still tight when I pulled the cases apart after season 1. (2400 miles) Lol
Attakdriver
Extreme
The dealer should have checked it over before you picked it up- sorry to hear they didn't follow thru-
They didn't check anything from what I could see. Alignment was over 1" toe out on one sled.
GR8BBQ
VIP Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2018
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- 1,346
- Location
- Hamlin, NY
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- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2017 Yamaha SRViper X-TX SE
2017 Ski-Doo Blizzard 900 ACE
2001 Yamaha SXR 700 Triple
1995 Polaris Indy Lite
As always, have a good dealer that you trust, or if that doesn't work, get a VIP membership to TY4Stroke and learn/do it yourself! (Hint, second option is much more rewarding.)
KnappAttack
24X ISR World Drag Racing Champion
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2004
- Messages
- 4,690
- Location
- Welch MN
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2023 Sidewinder LTX-LE
2017 Sidewinder LTX-LE
The onus is on the factory to use quality parts, get the nuts, bolts clamps tight from the start. All the dealer does is put the skis on and set it up. I've ripped my 23 down to go thru it completely.
60 Miles on this hose, not sure what supplier their going thru now for the boost hoses but they are complete garbage. Got one cracked all to crap and the other has bulges and balloons happening. Seen other pictures with the same thing happening, should have taken pictures prior to me taking it off! It looked like it was blown just sitting there.
Found this Torx bolt loose on top spindle him joint on the stand today! I just happened to stumble upon it and could move it up and down 3/16" of an inch! I took it out with my fingers!!! It had what looked to be powder blue loctite on the threads but it obviously did nothing to hold it together. Can you imagine if that would have come off running WFO down the trail! And it would have had I not caught it! It was only being held in by a thread or two! WTF Cat assembly crew, get your #*$&@ together!
Checked the other side and it too was far from tight! No telling what else I might find, but none of the bolts, nuts and clamps are what I would call tight. Some loose, some only snug. You got to go thru every inch of the machine unless you want it coming apart. I found the tension would spin around and around on the roller bolts, and in typical Cat fashion the two bolts although loctited, bottom against each other and dont really tighten up totally, they still haven't fixed this issue after all this years! I tack welded them both, so they can go no where and the chain case will stay intact.
60 Miles on this hose, not sure what supplier their going thru now for the boost hoses but they are complete garbage. Got one cracked all to crap and the other has bulges and balloons happening. Seen other pictures with the same thing happening, should have taken pictures prior to me taking it off! It looked like it was blown just sitting there.
Found this Torx bolt loose on top spindle him joint on the stand today! I just happened to stumble upon it and could move it up and down 3/16" of an inch! I took it out with my fingers!!! It had what looked to be powder blue loctite on the threads but it obviously did nothing to hold it together. Can you imagine if that would have come off running WFO down the trail! And it would have had I not caught it! It was only being held in by a thread or two! WTF Cat assembly crew, get your #*$&@ together!
Checked the other side and it too was far from tight! No telling what else I might find, but none of the bolts, nuts and clamps are what I would call tight. Some loose, some only snug. You got to go thru every inch of the machine unless you want it coming apart. I found the tension would spin around and around on the roller bolts, and in typical Cat fashion the two bolts although loctited, bottom against each other and dont really tighten up totally, they still haven't fixed this issue after all this years! I tack welded them both, so they can go no where and the chain case will stay intact.
Wouldn't bother with the brass shift pads. Would do ROV delete. Would also look at some of the items available from Mainway Solutions if this sled is going to be in the stable for awhile, might as well do it right. AND you might read up on the front spring for the skid, many have upgraded to the cat spring for better handling/balance but not sure it is required for the 24 model year.
Mainway Solutions | Snowmobile Greasable Suspension Parts
Skidoo Suspension Parts, Snowmobile Suspensions, Snowmobile Parts, Arctic Cat Suspension Parts, Yamaha Suspension Parts, Ski-Doo Suspension Parts
Turboflash
Lifetime Member
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- Mar 18, 2019
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- 2,491
- Location
- Southern MN
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- USA
- Snowmobile
- '17 ZR9000 Ltd. 137 - PEFI Stage 4
There have been a couple of posts on FB about QC issues with new sleds. Bolts loose, seat cover not fastened correctly, all relatively minor but annoying.
2004yamahaviper
Extreme
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- Sep 11, 2010
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- 34
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- Ottawa, Ontario
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- Canada
- Snowmobile
- Spring order 2021 srx
2012 Apex xtx
Have 2 new 2023 srxs. Both had charge tubes looking like that from brand new. Apparently they had a bad batch. So far that's all I've found...
Simplespeed
Expert
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- Jan 8, 2022
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- 1191 Sauk Lane , Saginaw, Mi. 48638
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- 2006 Apex , 2017 Sidewinder LTX -LE
And don’t expect things to improve as Its obvious Cat is putting its attention on the new Chassis which Iam sure will be their biggest seller … Now add new motors along with Turbo’s it should be pretty clear where their focus will be… Just too bad they won’t be developing a quality four stroke to put in this new chassis… Now with Yamaha exit in the snowmobile market look for quality to suffer in the remaining manufacturing which some are seeing already… Yes it would be wise to go thur any sled before riding it but most consumers do not have the knowledge or experience to do this, so they need to find a dealers that can do this for them… Quality and experience in this area is most important and long remembered opposite a cheap price…Thanks to good guys on this forum and you can stay ahead of most issues which helps all of us ….
Fords4life
Expert
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- Dec 7, 2021
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- 58
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- South Dakota
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- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2021 riot 9000 & 2017 sw rtx
Same thing here, brand new 2024 zr9000 rr and the lower intercooler hose all weather checked both ends by clamps and coolant leak someplace by muffler area...0miles on it, pulling sled completly down this weekend and going thru it clamp by clamp and bolt by bolt.
GR8BBQ
VIP Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2018
- Messages
- 1,346
- Location
- Hamlin, NY
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2017 Yamaha SRViper X-TX SE
2017 Ski-Doo Blizzard 900 ACE
2001 Yamaha SXR 700 Triple
1995 Polaris Indy Lite
It doesn't give me much confidence in buying a '25. What's their incentive to improve?
Why is anybody surprised! We have been dealing with these issues ever since Yamaha got into bed with Arctic Cat. It has been poor quality since 2017, why would it get any better? You know what you're getting into and if you don't you are not doing you due diligence. The good thing is we have this site and boatloads of info on how to remedy the problems. Don't sweat it, just enjoy the process knowing you will have an unmatched product in the end! I sno-checked a 24' this year and have put thousands and I mean several thousands into to it and umpteen hours, but I know this will be the best sled I have ever ridden hands down. For the first time buyers I get it, it sucks to have to do this work, but it won't go unrewarded. Just relax and enjoy the process. You can bitch and moan about it when your in a rocking chair complaining about how bad your life was!
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