2012 tunnel problems by speedo side foot bracket

[dragonguy]

I pick up a 12 163" that has a bend down on the lower left side of tunnel.
The sled had minor damage to the lower left A arm.
A buddy of my has the same sled with the same dent and he doesn't know what he hit.
I know we can't be the only people to have this problem.
In the process of taking it apart, bending it back, an have a reinforcement
plat made for it.
Any input would be helpful, did a search for tunnel damage and did not see this.
Thanks

 

[skibreeze]

It's not unheard of, but not an epidemic either. There are a few guys that have had to replace their tunnels and it is a lot of work. That type of damage does take quite a hit to do.

 

[Mountain800]

Hos does the other side/right side look? I have had two pros with the same issue! Had to replace tunnel on both! Not funny at all I think this is the weakest point on the pro chassis/tunnel and it needs to be made stronger.

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

My buddy tagged a tree with the front bumper, it caused the tunnel to bend just like yours but on the other side.

 

[dragonguy]

Right side is perfect. The A arm were it was hit was barely bent.
I have a buddy that was going to make a plate to put on the inside,
But then were will it bend?

 

[bown6]

I got one that looked just like that and I'm in the fab stage as we speak. I'm making plates for both sides that will take care of this. It should make this weak point three to four times stronger then stock. Hoping to cut one set of plates out this week on a lazer to test fit them after being drawn out and cut. This is some pics of the pto side in the works

 

[Mountain800]

I got one that looked just like that and I'm in the fab stage as we speak. I'm making plates for both sides that will take care of this. It should make this weak point three to four times stronger then stock. Hoping to cut one set of plates out this week on a lazer to test fit them after being drawn out and cut. This is some pics of the pto side in the works

That is a great idea! Thought about the same thing last time I bent the tunnel...please post more pictures on the plates when they are done/installed..I could be interrested in buying a couple of those if you can produce them..

 

[bown6]

Thats the plan as of right now and be put on with glue and rivets.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I have been making brace kits for the poo tunnel for awhile now..this thread as info on it.................http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283734

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

I have been making brace kits for the poo tunnel for awhile now..this thread as info on it.................http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283734

Nice brace man, but from what I can see the tunnel is bending in front of where your brace is.....or am I wrong?

 

[yz400ex]

My tunnel was much much worse than yours on both sides and I was able to straighten it and use some of aksnowriders braces to make it even better than new.. Doesnt take much at all to bend these tunnels

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Nice brace man, but from what I can see the tunnel is bending in front of where your brace is.....or am I wrong?

I make a set for each side that go right up to the chaincase on the one side and right to the driveshaft bearing on the other..how much farther forward do you need one to go?

 

[joshkoltes]

BEFORE

for a minute i thought that was a pic of mine, it looks very samesame..

see

i tried to striaghten mine

i got it pretty straight and flush here

but it put a twist in the rest of the tunnel to where the track rubs the side, no good
the rear bumper after the straightening is 3/4 inch higher on one side
worst part was i broke off the bottom chaincase mount tab so it just cosed me 250 more than it needed to

i ended up buying a new tunnel

im almost disassembled

the factory replacement is about 2200
van amburg is around 2100+ powder
cr raceing is a little more but i went with it...

 

[Snodawg]

Insurance company totaled my sled for the same bend (and some other things). I installed a VEI tunnel but still used AKSNOWRIDER's idea and built my own inserts and plates. These bulkheads are so strong that when you smack something with your a-arm, spindle, or even a ski, the energy has to go somewhere and it ends up bending the tunnel right at that point on either side.

Here are some pics of the pieces I installed. And a link to my rebuild project with more pics. http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314453
Highly recommend getting Ak's reinforcement pieces (or should I say "fix it kit" lol, Mike)

 

[joshkoltes]

for people still trying to straighten the bend. dont forget to remove the chaincase and fix this bend as well

 

[joshkoltes]

does anyone have some tips on how to measure, square, or check the bulkhead after disassembly to make sure its straight?
im about there

 

[BLITZKRIEG]

Anyone know what it costs to have a dealer replace/fix the tunnel?

 

[joshkoltes]

2199 for the part and 90 bux an hour...
http://www.polarispartshouse.com/oe...0222b84907cc/chassis-bulkhead-asm-all-options

 

[Lorduss]

this thread makes me bring up a question.
stay with stock a arms and bumpers to hopefully not have a problem like this? a front bumper and pipe is alot cheaper than what im seeing here.

 

[Quicksand]

Yes stock parts are sort of meant to be sacrificial to save the tunnel and bulkhead but most of these (including my buddy's 13) are all stock parts and still bend at the tunnel. My buddy deosnt even know what caused it, never bent anything else on the sled.