Suspension and steering bushings.

[Irv]

Re: SUSPENSION AND BUSHINGS

i replace my bulk head bushing and while everything was out, i lube the steering
gate below the battery. a spacer feel out fron back two lage brackets. i don't know what there for. lost one under the engine. no part number?
will there be problem not reinstalling them.

tombob

I assume you replced them with the factory ones, were they hard to replace or was a lot more disassembly req'd?
(You are talking about the ones in pic number# 1512?)

I assume your talking about the thin plates with the 2 holes in them? I lost one yesterday doing the front steering block, it fell down almost completely under the engine but I was able to retrieve it with a bent wire.

 

[TOMBOB]

bushing replacement

picture 1512 correct. spacer look ed like a flat paper clip with one end opened. need pn

TOMBOB

 

[Irv]

Re: bushing replacement

picture 1512 correct. spacer look ed like a flat paper clip with one end opened. need pn
TOMBOB

Part number would be great Tom, thanks for the info

 

[Irv]

I'm working on upgraded tie rod ends for most sections of the steering... the kit wil be available this summer. Stay tuned.....

Any updates Bjowett?

The steering blocks are done and I hope to get started on my Ulmer's front end bushings within the next few weeks?

 

[low slung]

One question about the ulmer bulkhead bushings.Will grease from the bolts/washers hurt the oilite bushing material?

 

[Super Sled]

I'm working on upgraded tie rod ends for most sections of the steering... the kit wil be available this summer. Stay tuned.....

Any updates Bjowett?

The steering blocks are done and I hope to get started on my Ulmer's front end bushings within the next few weeks?

I just replaced all of these steering rods ends along the whole steering column system this summer (with factory ones) along with new steering rods too. I also installed the OFT billet steering blocks. My steering is now tight as can be. It's perfect! I pieced together the idea to do this from reading posts by Kinger and Snowmobile Addict.

But I will tell you, it is a PITA to make sure your steering/ handlebars is spot on straight/ lined up perfect so the skis are straight, but well worth the time.

 

[Super Sled]

Check the bushings on the steering mechanism shown below when you have it torn down too.

The taper fit tierod end on thebottom of the steering post wears out quickylt as well.

I replaced all of these and the steering rod is what I meant.

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

I went through my steering mechanism also just recently. Bummer that the relay rod does not have replaceable ends and is only available as an assembly. I think that part lists for like $75. That’s about the only piece that I didn’t replace yet in the steering mechanism. It wasn’t too sloppy yet on mine so I put that money toward a revalve and service on my ECS.

 

[Irv]

I'm working on upgraded tie rod ends for most sections of the steering... the kit wil be available this summer. Stay tuned.....

Any updates Bjowett?

The steering blocks are done and I hope to get started on my Ulmer's front end bushings within the next few weeks?

I just replaced all of these steering rods ends along the whole steering column system this summer (with factory ones) along with new steering rods too. I also installed the OFT billet steering blocks. My steering is now tight as can be. It's perfect! I pieced together the idea to do this from reading posts by Kinger and Snowmobile Addict.

But I will tell you, it is a PITA to make sure your steering/ handlebars is spot on straight/ lined up perfect so the skis are straight, but well worth the time.

Good to know SS, I haven't gotten around to changing out my front end bushings yet, it is mostly all torn down, just ran out of time.

Were the factory ones expensive and do they look like they have been updated some?


Low Slung, when I called Ulmer and ordered my parts, I asked him if any type of assembly lube/oil could be applied to help with assembly?
He stated some clean engine oil could be used to help with assembly so I assume some light grease wouldn't hurt either?

 

[low slung]

Many thanks Irv.

 

[Super Sled]

Irv, I bought all of the parts off the fiche in 4 seperate orders. I did this inadvertantly bc I didn't think I was going to swap out all the parts i did. But I kept realizing I was this far in, so go a tad farther. Then a few parts were on back order. Kind of a mess and took since early April when i tore the sled down. But geez i bet it was $150 or so plus $130 for all 3 OFT blocks if i added up all the receipts. Some parts I ordered in a large parts purchase from Port Yamaha in April, and then 3 other orders oveer the last few months from my local dealer. They thought I was nuts I think, ordering sterring parts nobody has ever ordered before. The parts gal just kept asking me what the heck I was into/ doing.

But like I said, the mind bending part is not connecting everything back together, it is later, making sure everything goes together in exactly the right length so the handlebars are straight at the same time as the skis.

It's like a car misaligned otherwise -- your handlebar is turned, but you go straight, or vice versa. Not hard to get right, but takes time and a little trial and error. Just remember to put it all back together for a trial run( or trial runs) before you add the red loctite and tighten it all together for good. Trust me on this one and don't ask me how I know this one....

But man, my steering is really tight now with no slop. Not even a bit of slop. It is tight too, and i oiled my steering blocks plenty before I put them together. I put synthetic grease right on the oilite material in the blocks.

I will confess this tho, like so many projects I've done on this sled, if I'd have known what I was getting into on the front end I doubt I'd have had the balls to actually do it. So my rec is to just order some parts, disassemble your steering, and dig in. Because trust me, if I can do this, anyone can. No lie. But it is a great mod if steering slop bothers you.

And about the OFT blocks, just buy them. Seriously. My plastic ones were wore down, no lube in them, and were in beat up shape. Probably from all of the moguls we have on our trails here. Steering takes a beating all day long. My plastic stockers had lots of play in each one, so even if you only do the blocks, it will remove 90++% of your slop just in those 3 blocks easily. The rest of the slop is in the other components of the steering mechanism.

Old saying/ phrase my dad tought me: If your going to do the job, do the whole job once and do it right, I believe is the phrase!

As a wrench I believe I am moving up from total newbie to maybe an intermediate journeyman!

 

[low slung]

Great to hear that 90% off the slop is removed with the OFT kit.Can,t wait to install it in my warrior and my bro,s nytro.

 

[APEX 06]

With the OFT's bushing I would put in new A-arm bushings too. Rides like a new sled.

 

[Super Sled]

With the OFT's bushing I would put in new A-arm bushings too. Rides like a new sled.

Funny you say that! I just ordered from Ulmer what he had in stock of those.

Ulmer only has bulkhead bushings right now in stock. I just got them last Friday from him. He said they are the most important ones anyways. He might not have more for awhile he said. I already have those installed. Both of my lowers on the motors side were shot. The others and all four upper bulkhead bushings were fine, but I swapped them out for the oilite ones anyways. Btw, those bastards are tight to get in there!

Then I checked all of my bushings in my a arms. The only bad ones were 2 in the lower a arms, again in the rear or motor side. Those white plastic caps were wearing out also on mine. So because I could not get those from Ulmer right now, I just replaced those with new own bushings. They will last for a year or do, then I'll order Ulmers at that time.

 

[Irv]

Irv, I bought all of the parts off the fiche in 4 seperate orders. I did this inadvertantly bc I didn't think I was going to swap out all the parts i did. But I kept realizing I was this far in, so go a tad farther. Then a few parts were on back order. Kind of a mess and took since early April when i tore the sled down. But geez i bet it was $150 or so plus $130 for all 3 OFT blocks if i added up all the receipts. Some parts I ordered in a large parts purchase from Port Yamaha in April, and then 3 other orders oveer the last few months from my local dealer. They thought I was nuts I think, ordering sterring parts nobody has ever ordered before. The parts gal just kept asking me what the heck I was into/ doing.

But like I said, the mind bending part is not connecting everything back together, it is later, making sure everything goes together in exactly the right length so the handlebars are straight at the same time as the skis.

It's like a car misaligned otherwise -- your handlebar is turned, but you go straight, or vice versa. Not hard to get right, but takes time and a little trial and error. Just remember to put it all back together for a trial run( or trial runs) before you add the red loctite and tighten it all together for good. Trust me on this one and don't ask me how I know this one....

But man, my steering is really tight now with no slop. Not even a bit of slop. It is tight too, and i oiled my steering blocks plenty before I put them together. I put synthetic grease right on the oilite material in the blocks.

I will confess this tho, like so many projects I've done on this sled, if I'd have known what I was getting into on the front end I doubt I'd have had the balls to actually do it. So my rec is to just order some parts, disassemble your steering, and dig in. Because trust me, if I can do this, anyone can. No lie. But it is a great mod if steering slop bothers you.

And about the OFT blocks, just buy them. Seriously. My plastic ones were wore down, no lube in them, and were in beat up shape. Probably from all of the moguls we have on our trails here. Steering takes a beating all day long. My plastic stockers had lots of play in each one, so even if you only do the blocks, it will remove 90++% of your slop just in those 3 blocks easily. The rest of the slop is in the other components of the steering mechanism.

Old saying/ phrase my dad tought me: If your going to do the job, do the whole job once and do it right, I believe is the phrase!

As a wrench I believe I am moving up from total newbie to maybe an intermediate journeyman!

Thanks for the info SS.

I did replace my steering blocks already (pg-2 of this thread) just trying to find some time to do my Ulmer kit now!