Apex Ski Pressure....Help

[acutah]

To be honest, I am not sure if my sled has always been so hard to steer, or it I just noticed it. I rode a king cat the other day and it felt like it had power steering.

I have Simons Gen 2 skiis so I'm sure that has a bit to do with it, but I think I have so much ski pressure in the front it is ridiculously hard to steer.

I haven't ever messed much with the suspension. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I hope this is not just something all the Apex riders are living with.

 

[Zedeff]

I've changed to a timbersled Mtn Tamer rear suspension. More pressure in the front shock makes the steering feel lighter. If you put more spring pressure on your front shock it should do the same.

 

[acutah]

Do you mean tighten up the 2 front shocks, or tighten up the front rear shock? How much?

 

[up-high]

Tighten the front rear shock.

 

[mtnxr]

I just switched from a 900 cat to a SC Apex and the steering effort on the Apex was terrible...like you said power steering vs. manual. I decided to try and locate the problem and it was a sticky bushing on mine. I disconnected the tie rod ends and worked the bars back and forth until I found it. The white plastic bushing behind the disk brake was hanging up bad making kind of a creaking noise. I took it apart cleaned and lubed it with grease and what a difference. I then took it apart again and drilled a hole through the metal plate holding the bushing in place and the bushing and I threaded it and put a grease zerk there. I also spaced the bracket out about 1/16" or so on the lower bolt because it seemed to put too much pressure on the bushing. It is kind of a pain to take apart but once your done...just add a little grease once in a while and it should be good.

It is almost as easy as the Cat steering now....

 

[Zedeff]

I don't have the stock rear suspension shock but I put about 10 more lbs in the fox float I have. I also changed the steering bushings to ones you can grease. ( Made by a guy in BC)

 

[NITRUS NYTRO]

mtnxr is rite i greased my bushings and made a huge diffrence i would try that 1st...good luck

 

[mtnxr]

The other difference I noticed between the Cat bars and the Apex bars is that the Apex bars are 2" narrower so you have stiff steering mechanism and less leverage.

 

[acutah]

I also changed the steering bushings to ones you can grease. ( Made by a guy in BC)

Where can I get my hands on one of these bushings?

Thanks for all the info

 

[mtnxr]

It is really simple to drill a 7/32 hole and tap it with a 1/4 by 28 tap and screw in a zerk. once you have a hole in the metal plate just mark where that lines up on the bushing and drill a hole in the bushing to allow the grease in to the shaft.

 

[Zedeff]

The name of the guy who made the steering bushings was on Totallyamaha but I can't find it now. I ordered a set through Alpine Motorsports in Salmon Arm. They should still be able to get them