Axys 39" terrible handling - help

[Iowa_assault]

I've got a 2016 Axys rmk 800 155.

I had it setup absolutely perfect with raptor shocks all the way around it and the stock A arms and stock 39" ski stance. Never trenched, always held a line. Perfect.

I just put Zbroz offset spindles on it and a skinz 39" front end kit on it and the sled handles absolutely terribly. I am an experienced rider and it feels like I am trying to carve a 1995 rmk. It takes so much work to get the sled on edge and it seems like the handlebars are hard to turn even on the trail. I really have to put a ton of effort into getting the sled on edge and maintain the sidehill/carve. Even when I get to balancing point I have to put a ton of body english into it to keep it on edge. It actually holds a sidehill decent but carving in 3ft of fresh took so much more effort than normal.

For everyone that knows more about suspension setup than me, what adjustments do I need to make here? I really need to get thing setup correctly. Thanks!

 

[Motorbreath_]

does the offset make the stance wider or skinnier? I'd take them off personally, and go back to stock.

 

[Iowa_assault]

I ride pretty aggressive in the U.P. of Michigan a lot so I go through about 8 stock A arms each year. The strength of the aftermarket A arms is nice. It affset spindles make the ski stance narrower.

 

[xmk1080]

Its more that likely that front end changed the ride height of your sled or the geometry is off, put a raptor 37-inch front end on it and be done with it, is strong and all the geometry is correct!

 

[3-UP]

The stock spindle pivot are designed to be perfectly in the center of the ski so there is no effort to turn, when you introduce offset spindles and ski spacers to one side that creates terrible geometry that may not be noticed much on the trail but when off trail in deep snow will defiantly cause ill handling. When narrowing a sled you should always go with the shorter a arms.

 

[sledhed]

I would back off the changes 1 at a time and then get it rideable... the Skinz front end alone changes up the stock geometry considerably from what I understand, as opposed to many of the aftermarket kits that just replace stock setup but keep geometry basically the same. My Axys has had the ZBros high clearance a-arms on it since I bought it so I can't compare but I have to believe it is the same geometry. I would take the offset spindles back off of it first and see if you can get it working as expected with just the Skinz geometry front end on it...

 

[wonderxc600]

Why would off set spindals make it harder. I put them on my 163 and I would do it again. I would start with the shocks. Just my two cents, I'm definitely not a shock expert

 

[Reg2view]

It's just as likely you have more ski pressure with different arms and spindles, and don't have enough FTS preload for that drastic of a change to occur. You could try to back off ski shock preload, add some FTS preload, length will be limited by the strap, and soften up the RTS. Doesn't hurt to try, just track changes. Beyond that, swapping spindles back to stock would be next.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

It's just as likely you have more ski pressure with different arms and spindles, and don't have enough FTS preload for that drastic of a change to occur. You could try to back off ski shock preload, add some FTS preload, length will be limited by the strap, and soften up the RTS. Doesn't hurt to try, just track changes. Beyond that, swapping spindles back to stock would be next.

^^^^^^^

 

[Iowa_assault]

It's just as likely you have more ski pressure with different arms and spindles, and don't have enough FTS preload for that drastic of a change to occur. You could try to back off ski shock preload, add some FTS preload, length will be limited by the strap, and soften up the RTS. Doesn't hurt to try, just track changes. Beyond that, swapping spindles back to stock would be next.

Okay. Not super familiar with making these adjustments.

So you want me to add front track shock pre load? Adding front track shock preload I should tighten the spring on the front track shock?

Then you want me to try loosing the rear track shock spring?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Okay. Not super familiar with making these adjustments.

So you want me to add front track shock pre load? Adding front track shock preload I should tighten the spring on the front track shock?

Then you want me to try loosing the rear track shock spring?

Yes.

And soften the ski shock springs.

 

[Spaarky]

I would back off the changes 1 at a time and then get it rideable... the Skinz front end alone changes up the stock geometry considerably from what I understand, as opposed to many of the aftermarket kits

It all depends on which kit you have. Some retain stock geometry and some do not.

 

[cmxuser]

More than likely it needs the ski springs backed off. I just went thru something similar, it was a pain until I got it figured out.

 

[Teth-Air]

Those that knock the offset design have no clue or have a stake in the game. I was the first designer of offset spindles but no longer produce them. I know for a fact that they work very well on your sled and make it roll up easier. The shocks set-up has to be to blame as others have suggested. Soften ski shocks and stiffen front skid shock and soften rear skid shock and your sled will roll up almost by itself. The downside of over doing it is you will make a wheelie machine so definitely a fine balance. Now if you do like it to be playful but also like to climb then look into a rear suspension coupler that you can turn in or out depending on your terrain.

 

[Right on with a C]

I would look at the camber angle too, sounds like maybe the spindles could be out and that makes em hard to steer

 

[Teth-Air]

I would look at the camber angle too, sounds like maybe the spindles could be out and that makes em hard to steer

I believe all the current manufacturers of offset spindles have gone with factory caster and camber. Maybe something new out there but I haven't seen it.

 

[trax]

My cousin changed his a arms to alternative impact and kept his stock shocks and spindles. For whatever he has going on now it is like driving a bus. When you are back in and you go to sidehill it feels like the front end has 1000 lbs on it. Looked at everything and nothing is binding but it sure is tough to steer.

 

[xmk1080]

My cousin changed his a arms to alternative impact and kept his stock shocks and spindles. For whatever he has going on now it is like driving a bus. When you are back in and you go to sidehill it feels like the front end has 1000 lbs on it. Looked at everything and nothing is binding but it sure is tough to steer.

That's because he raised the front end of his sled and it has more ski pressure now, you can put pro spindles on it(they are shorter), you can have the shocks shortened or you can turn up the front track shock and loosen the front ski shocks and loosen the rear track shock a little until he likes the way it feels.

 

[trax]

Ok I'll pass that on and he can take care of it. Thanks