Tunnel Wrinkling

[twomorestrokes]

I tried a search but didn't find that old thread about the tunnels wrinkling at the rear. I think there are reinforcing brackets you can order to stop this, right? I need some help on how others straightened and repaired theirs or a link to the other thread please.

I just washed mine up from last week's ride and see the tunnel is wrinkled at the rear, right in front of the black trim at the back of the running boards. Trails were extra rough and we rode extra hard. I think I know the bad whoop that did it in.

 

[STORM-CHASER]

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... ght=tunnel

 

[twomorestrokes]

Thanx Storm that's what I needed.

 

[STORM-CHASER]

Thanx Storm that's what I needed.

I just checke dmine and its ok at the this time, but you got me worried

 

[twomorestrokes]

It does seem to be a weak area so keep an eye on it. It doesn't seem like it's something to stop me from riding, but I need to straighten it and strengthen it so it will not happen again. Probably support the sled from the rear bumper and work it back out flat after i figure out what to fasten to it for strength. Those plates look good in that other thread.

 

[SumpBuster]

I'm still waiting for the tunnel wrinkle...I don't let grass grow for sure, but one thing I won't tolerate is constant or real hard bottoming. This will destroy any sled eventually. Change the springs or shocks, but stop any excessive bottoming. Some bottoming in the worst stuff is normal..anything more and it's not set up for your weight.
Even tanks like old CK3 Machz's can take a pounding once the shocks and springs are correct.

 

[SumpBuster]

And I'd also add to change riding style...I ride just off the seat (crank the handlbar bolts real tight) and let the sled fall into the big stuff. Makes you sweat a little, but sure puts the f cat and rev boys undies in a bunch when you pass them on some rough stuff with a heavy four stroke..lol.

 

[Tfin]

And I'd also add to change riding style...I ride just off the seat (crank the handlbar bolts real tight) and let the sled fall into the big stuff. Makes you sweat a little, but sure puts the f cat and rev boys undies in a bunch when you pass them on some rough stuff with a heavy four stroke..lol.

Priceless!!!

 

[twomorestrokes]

And I'd also add to change riding style...I ride just off the seat (crank the handlbar bolts real tight) and let the sled fall into the big stuff. Makes you sweat a little, but sure puts the f cat and rev boys undies in a bunch when you pass them on some rough stuff with a heavy four stroke..lol.

That is the way I ride. That's why I went to the Nytro bar, so I could pull myself up without the bar flexing. I was off the seat just prior to hitting that humdinger last week at 60 mph. The rise was sharp enough that the suspension bottomed out hard, then my butt hit the seat before the sled went airborn for a ways. Not the normal situation but it happens...

 

[SumpBuster]

Is that for sure when it happened? My experience is if it's hard enough to bend a tunnel, my feet are still stuck in the footrests and the rest of me is in a tree somewhere. As a side note, I had to add strips of leather over foam to my boots as I was wearing the tops out where they meet the footrests.
I'm not too tall, so most of my weight is up near the tank on the bad stuff...I guess anything can happen, but the Vec doesn't look any weaker back there than any other sled, and on some doo's I've had, before I learned the bottoming lessons, I'd tear the shocks right out on the front arm(mis adjusted front limiters, making the shock the limiter instead of the strap.) I still say the wicked bottoming needs to stop, even on a super hard hit....maybe comp adj shocks, or add some rubber to the shock shaft like in the old days..anything to keep all the force from going into the tunnel.
My Mach Z's didn't ride well, but almost never bottomed..very progressive SC10's, and the Vec looks better built than the Machs...
If they can jump 10,000 pound desert trucks...LOL.

 

[twomorestrokes]

It was not bent before the trip and it is now, so I'd have to assume that's when it happened. It is not an uncommon occurrance on this chassis. There are more than a few of us with this problem.

 

[low slung]

The real cause,REAR SNOW flap,too long and you will know why when you put the sled in reverse on deep or uneven snow. :ORC

 

[twomorestrokes]

The real cause,REAR SNOW flap,too long and you will know why when you put the sled in reverse on deep or uneven snow. :ORC

That could definitely be A cause, but I do not have the long flap so that is not what caused it on my sled...

 

[twomorestrokes]

Here is an link to another thread showing the added reinforcements and part numbers from the '07 Apex GT. Excellent information for those wanting to stop something before it happens!

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

 

[SumpBuster]

That pic looks strange..heat exchanger looks ok...I would've thought it would buckle around the upper rear idler/shock mount arm if anywhere. In any case, this is sad news for me, as it means I am not riding hard enough anymore!!! Guess I'll have to pick it up a little. Firecat bud thinks his shocks are shot....guess he better replace them all to keep up with the Vec..lol.