Steering Spindle (Steering Knuckle) on 2014 XTX

[honda400ex2]

Hi,

I have a 2014 Viper XTX, I struggle with heavy steering ever since I bought the sled, added the 160lb spring on the front shock in the rear suspension, did help but still could be better.
My brother has a Arctic Cat Xf 7000 and his does steer quite a bit easier, I know the keel of my ski is a little taller, but otherwise same single 4" carbides.

Noticed that the tie rod mounting location on his Spindle appears to be longer than mine. I measured it, and it is 1/2" longer. I checked the Part numbers on the few Yamaha models and they are different,

2014 Viper XTX
Right Spindle (Steering Knuckle) 8JR-F3521-00-00
Left Spindle (Steering Knuckle) 8JR-F3511-00-00

2014 Viper LTX
Right Spindle (Steering Knuckle) 8JP-F3521-00-00
Left Spindle (Steering Knuckle) 8JP-F3511-00-00

Does anyone know if the Spindle from a different model would fit on my XTX? The extra 1/2" length should help give more leverage for turning. I was also going to see if the Barn of Parts MPS would work on a stock spindle or if I would need to upgrade to the other style.

Attached are few pictures of the spindles, the black one is the XTX.

Thanks for the input.

 

[cannondale27]

That’s a good find! I know of two others with same issue.

 

[hibshman25]

Are you sure your sled is a 14? The 15 spring order xtx's had the old mtx spindle for whatever reason with the shorter leverage arm. I actually had to design a different MPS arm specifically for that short arm mtx spindle.

My 14 xtx had the the trail spindle with longer arm.

 

[honda400ex2]

Are you sure your sled is a 14? The 15 spring order xtx's had the old mtx spindle for whatever reason with the shorter leverage arm. I actually had to design a different MPS arm specifically for that short arm mtx spindle.

My 14 xtx had the the trail spindle with longer arm.

I went & double checked the sticker on the sled, 10/13 was the manufacture date on it. That is weird that they had the changed the arm lengths for the spring orders. I am not sure, unless mine had the trail length arms and some one changed them to the shorter ones as I bought the sled used. I have to look at the part numbers on some of the newer models to see what they say.

 

[Jon Boron]

I just found this same thing on my 2016 XTX SE after reading this post, for two years I've always felt the steering was a little heavy. (Spent a lot of time tweaking the suspension). May go to new ARCS front end with my upper arms needing to be replaced anyways.