XTX Rear Shock / Squat

[wavemaster]

I have a 2015 XTX SE with the float 2 in the back.

It has 100 miles on it and aside from the initial break-in they were average miles.

When you sit on it it will squat about 5" (I weigh 175) and rebound on its own about 3" when you get off. To get it back to the top again you actually have to lift on it.

I checked the air pressure and it was at 140psi. I added 10 pounds as well as removed 10 pounds in each direction and it made no real difference.

The bottom half of the travel seems fine as far as I can tell.

It isn't a showstopper, it just makes for a real soft ride. I have a trip coming up next week and would like to get it right before then if possible. What part of the shock would cause that and can it be easily fixed or does it require sending out?

Thanks

 

[kodak]

I have read your posts before so I'm sure this is stating the obvious but you are not on dollies and you are not checking the air pressure without lifting back of sled

 

[wavemaster]

Yes. It is on a lift with the track in the air.

I have pumped it all the way up to 150 with no difference, it still won't come back up to the top.

 

[stingray719]

I have a 2015 XTX SE with the float 2 in the back.

It has 100 miles on it and aside from the initial break-in they were average miles.

When you sit on it it will squat about 5" (I weigh 175) and rebound on its own about 3" when you get off. To get it back to the top again you actually have to lift on it.

I checked the air pressure and it was at 140psi. I added 10 pounds as well as removed 10 pounds in each direction and it made no real difference.

The bottom half of the travel seems fine as far as I can tell.

It isn't a showstopper, it just makes for a real soft ride. I have a trip coming up next week and would like to get it right before then if possible. What part of the shock would cause that and can it be easily fixed or does it require sending out?

Thanks

http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/interesting-skid-shock-spring-info.131147/

 

[wavemaster]

Sting - I have read most of that thread, however isn't it about the forward shock and spring combo in relation to handling?

I believe the issue I am having is with the rear shock allowing the back of the sled to sag.

 

[TJ-R]

wavemaster,
While the rear shock may account for a significant portion of the sag, the preload of the center shock will effect sag, make sure it has some load on the spring while off the ground. Also the race sag is measured with rider mounted and from the rear skid bolt to the ground with the machine on the ground no dolies under track or skis. before getting to crazy log another couple hundred mile on it so it is broken in good. That setup should be good for you unless you are riding the whoops real hard.

I am 240 ready to ride and I ran 130-135 psi and had the center preload set measuring the spring length at 186mm; uncompressed free length measured 198mm, therefore 12mm of preload on the spring.
I ordered the artic cat 145 lbs spring part # 1704-461 spring and it handled better and achieved proper sag, I set it at 11mm of preload; free length 199mm set to 188mm.

The benchmark sag is 3" to 3.5" for softer ride. The 3" is equal to about 1/3 the travel.

Good Luck!

 

[wavemaster]

I will check that out.

My 2014 XTX SE always returned to the top and didn't squat so much with less pressure in the shock (130psi).

 

[stingray719]

I will check that out.

My 2014 XTX SE always returned to the top and didn't squat so much with less pressure in the shock (130psi).

Yep like TJR said, the front skid shock issue effects the entire handling of an XTX. Cheap and easy fix though.

 

[drumz11]

Look at your ski shocks also. If you have them pumped up high or a lot of preload, you will get a lot more sag in the rear. Some rear sag with no rider on the sled is very normal. Does the front squat at all when you get on the machine or does just the rear sag?

I don't subscribe to stingrays theory that a more stiff front skid shock is NEEDED on these. It's more of a preference thing if want less ski pressure without preloading the stock spring as far along with the other things a stiffer spring will do. To test as to whether your setting is messing with your sag, increase the front preload on the existing spring while it's sitting with no rider and see if it changes. If you like it, swap the spring or run the existing with more preload. If you get too much preload or too stiff in the front skid shock, it will make it handle like crap on the trail and trench like a pig off trail. Where are your limiter straps? Pulled way up will take some of the pressure off the front of the track and give you more rear sag also. There is all kinds of things to look at and it could still even be a shock issue. Some rear sag without a rider is very normal.

 

[NOS-PRO]

Yes. It is on a lift with the track in the air.

I have pumped it all the way up to 150 with no difference, it still won't come back up to the top.

Wavemaster - the rear float works with the center shock so you need to get your center shock showing more threads under the adjusting nut(s). Seems like right now it's set way too soft. I am guessing you should be somewhere around 15 threads showing.

 

[wavemaster]

Center shock, stock - 16 threads of pre-load
Straps - stock
Air pressure in front 65psi off ground cold
Rear shock 145psi off ground cold - tried 120-150 now

My 2014 ALWAYS returned to the top when I got off it with 130psi in the shock and squatted about 3" when I sat on it.

 

[dfroster]

Center shock, stock - 16 threads of pre-load
Straps - stock
Air pressure in front 65psi off ground cold
Rear shock 145psi off ground cold - tried 120-150 now

My 2014 ALWAYS returned to the top when I got off it with 130psi in the shock and squatted about 3" when I sat on it.

What is the "stock" limiter strap setting? Which hole?

 

[wavemaster]

Top of the straps.
Front of strap in center hole
back/flap of strap in 1st hole with 2 more to lengthen.

 

[NOS-PRO]

Center shock, stock - 16 threads of pre-load
Straps - stock
Air pressure in front 65psi off ground cold
Rear shock 145psi off ground cold - tried 120-150 now

My 2014 ALWAYS returned to the top when I got off it with 130psi in the shock and squatted about 3" when I sat on it.

Weird how it's different from your 14 to your 15. Same mounting holes on the chassis?

 

[wavemaster]

Yeah, same holes.

I will get another 500 miles of so on it in the next few days up in Maine (reciprocal weekend VT/NH/ME).