Well..... Did It Again

[steiner]

Greasing up my suspension in anticipation of a large storm coming our way over Christmas and I see this.
This is my second W arm in this sled and I had this one beefed up.

 

[VX1R]

Don't mention the crack when you trade in your Apex at your dealer on your new SideWinder.

Just 'saying.....

 

[steiner]

Don't mention the crack when you trade in your Apex at your dealer on your new SideWinder.

Just 'saying.....

LOL

 

[BigDogrx1]

Greasing up my suspension in anticipation of a large storm coming our way over Christmas and I see this.
This is my second W arm in this sled and I had this one beefed up.
View attachment 124276

is that a 07 skid???? I put a 08 in mine and not seen any problem's....

 

[steiner]

2007 arm that is gusseted way more than the 08 style

 

[kinger]

Frustrating I am sure! I don't miss those problems with my ZX2. I wish they were still readily available and cheaper they are superior to a metal skid in every way.

 

[Rich Kay]

Don't mention the crack when you trade in your Apex at your dealer on your new SideWinder.

Just 'saying.....

Awful expensive fix !!!!

 

[vodoo child]

is that a 07 skid???? I put a 08 in mine and not seen any problem's....

X2. No more worries.

 

[SumpBuster]

No biggie. Add a gusset inside that radiuus. We really beat our suspensions, no abuse, just no mercy, and I've welded lots of w arms, just gusset everything, and heat it some to get those little molecules all happy and loose near any welds. And check them before each ride. I've broken lots of ski doo arms too. Cracked aluminum rails are worse, and seen them on many brands with all those fancy lightening holes drilled in....LOL!

 

[Pete_man26]

2007 arm that is gusseted way more than the 08 style

You jinxed yourself when you told me you've welded yours with gussets and hadn't had a problem yet. LOL sorry just sucks. The 08 arms apparently use a larger tubing for the upper and lower radius. I'm going to end up just ponying up for a new updated one. No screwing around.

 

[SumpBuster]

I would still gusset them. When the arms don't break, the shock mounts do! A few more ounces won't hurt these sleds! Like most, when it gets gnarly, the faster you go the better they ride, plus you might get lucky and catch another groomed trail quicker. But the cycles and vibrations tend to stress crack stuff. It's not the big whoops, but the cycles. The big whoops just tend to finish them off!

 

[SumpBuster]

Ok, my welds with a craftsman Flux core ain't pretty but they hold. Welter powder painted and cracked checked years ago. I did experiment with some extra cushion on the bump stop which had held up too and lessens the hard rubber hit some. Hygear setup works great, but the progressive spring puts more stress on the arms. I have simply just welded a crack before on those rx1 w arms and they held for years, so the crack starts at a factory weld more often than not. stress relieve with heat before and after. Mapp gas is fine. Although it will burn the paint.

 

[Rich Kay]

I respect the fact that some may not have the extra money laying around but.... I look at the time (down time too!) that I spent with my skid in my Apex and the revalve and spring rate changes tried only to end up with broken suspension parts to fix or replace I dang near could of had a M-10 bought and installed! The weakest area of the apex IMO is the rear suspension and I know it has worked for some well but rider weight (big guys)and overall trail conditions (shitty ,poor, or ditch banging) along with the sled being heavier then most has really exposed the one area of the sled Yamaha has not upgraded well enough. I do not want to sound like the M-10 air is the best thing for everyone but it was the BEST thing I did to my apex .... or for that matter any sled I have own in 40 yrs. Some guys even retro fit Ski-doo sc-4 and Cat zr skids with good success and never looked back. I am getting to be an old fart in the sport now days so ride quality is important and it will keep me in the sport longer ... I have no reason to want to sell my Apex at this point! My arm , like yours continued to fail and I finally found a real high end fab guy that gusseted and reinforced it to where it held but soon found the next weak point.......

 

[steiner]

On the flip side riding buddy of mine has the same Attak as me and is setup up the same as mine. He still has the stock arm in and untouched. He and I have the same driving style.
So the stock arm can last, I just seem to find a way to break mine.

 

[apex55]

Looks like the gusset did its job. It's not broken there but where it ends. Maybe the gusset should go beyond the bracket or if clearance allows one gusset straight across