Ski Shims - There is a Limit!

[Len Todd]

I put shims under my 04's ski-stoppers. I just cut off some old belt, ground off the notches and silconed and screwed them in there.

It seemed to help reduce darting for ~ 200 miles that first day. Then it seemed like they were not helping so much. I looked at them and the stoppers and the shims were squirming out from under the spindle's ski-stopper housing.

After I got home I took out the ski-stoppers and they were actually tearing badly apart where the edge of the shim was. I measured the thickness of the shim (first time) and found them to be ~ 7/16" thick. I think I overdid it a bit. Duh!

So, ... The moral to the story: You need to be careful about the thickness of the shims. 3/16 - 1/4" is what I have read about. The after-market comercial ones also look to be ~ 3/4" wide. A belt is a bit wider that that, unless you took that belt off a extremely poorly performing machine.

I think I am going to try two layers of hard red rubber 1/8" gasket material with one layer a bit wider to eliminate the 1/4" thick edge that the stopper would fit against if I stacked them squarely on top of each other.

Any thoughts guys? Oh,... I meant to say "pertainent constructive thoughts." I already gave myself a few Duhs and other not so politically correct comments. They don't give those new ski-stoppers away!

 

[Sled Dog]

You could also use a red rubber tie down strap it is already 1/4 inch thick and 3/4 inch wide all you have to do is cut it 2 inches long silicone it and screw into place. If I was going to use an old belt I would use an old serpentine belt from a car it would be around the right thickness and width also. I used a black rubber tie down to give it the lift and some give at the same time.

 

[Indy]

Go to LOWES, they sell 1/4" x 1" strip aluminum, you can buy a one foot strip. You can also use this same material to beef up your tunnel protectors.

 

[z28rx1]

I used a section of left over new hyfax, hacksawed the part that rapped arround the rails, to tell ya the truth i think it made it worse.I think im breaking down and getting some simmons.

 

[2Blu4U]

I just shimed my simmons the other day. Perfect straight line sled that corners like no other now. Well worth the $$$.

 

[Len Todd]

I had a new pair of Dooleys. I put in new stoppers and put the Dooleys on. Can't wait to try them out.

However, I did noice that even with the Dooleys, the front of the bars are down about 1/16" from the backs. I temporarily slipped some 1/8" rubber gasket material under the stoppers and the front and back measurements were the same. However, I am going to try the Dooleys without the shims first.

 

[Oak Hill]

I took my shims out, put new stoppers in and Woody's Doolies 6". No darting and sled rails. Also very light steering.

 

[Snorover]

I TOOK A PLASTIC DRYWALL PADDLE, CUT IT UP SO I HAD TWO PIECES THAT I GLUED TOGETHER SO THAT I HAD A GRADUAL ANGLE OUT TO 1/4" AT THE BACK OF THE RUBBER STOPPER.

 

[ger]

can you guys post a pic of where you are shimming . I have simmons already
Thanks
Ger

 

[rxwhopper]

i used a chunk of alluminum plaet , cut it to fit, 350 miles later aand still there. i notice it still darts a bit

 

[z28rx1]

Hey ger, shim between the back edge of the rubber block and ski mount.

 

[ger]

when I got my simmons I got 2 blocks of ? plastic/nylon . someone said there were shims but they are about the size of a pack of canadian smokes . Any Idea what that is for .

I will try the shim thing
Thanks

 

[Sled Dog]

can you guys post a pic of where you are shimming . I have simmons already
Thanks
Ger

Here is the post on shimming skis http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=24455