BDX Bumper Cracking Tunnel
- Thread starter sledhed88
- Start date
Dont think I will be breaking it now!!!
I had to weld both cooling tubes
used 1/4" aluminum with a rounded bend so its extra STRONG then connected it to the rear suspension bracket
A little more insurance on the rear cooler, 1/4" plate under cooler and modified the bdx brackets to the inside of bumper "way sturdier"
After making these brackets, I left the cardboard template with my buddy, I am sure he would make some up for a price if anyone is interested...PM me and I can give you his cell number. Keep in mind the brackets will fit a little different on everyone's sled since we all cut the tunnel a little different.
BUT I ASSURE YOU THEY ARE BEEFY....not just a backing piece
MY *** IS TIGHT NOW....
I am goning to make the entire tail section his summer intergrating BDX bumper, footsteps and 09 tail light flap.
I had to weld both cooling tubes
used 1/4" aluminum with a rounded bend so its extra STRONG then connected it to the rear suspension bracket
A little more insurance on the rear cooler, 1/4" plate under cooler and modified the bdx brackets to the inside of bumper "way sturdier"
After making these brackets, I left the cardboard template with my buddy, I am sure he would make some up for a price if anyone is interested...PM me and I can give you his cell number. Keep in mind the brackets will fit a little different on everyone's sled since we all cut the tunnel a little different.
BUT I ASSURE YOU THEY ARE BEEFY....not just a backing piece
MY *** IS TIGHT NOW....
I am goning to make the entire tail section his summer intergrating BDX bumper, footsteps and 09 tail light flap.
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the other side
No '09's doing this? Just the BDX kit?
M
mtn mike on boost
Well-known member
yep! Ill probably try and get thru this season and re work it when the summer comes.just want to do it once and be done w/ it.
By the way, im not knocking bdx. I use alot of their products and am happy w/ them and believe they are priced well.i just wish i wasnt afraid to lift the back of my sled out of the snow when ive got some additional weight from snow in the rear skid...mm
Mine cracked today on the exhaust side from lifting. When I was looking for a solution my dealer said, "told you so".
There are some 09's doing it also.
check this video . look at the tunell at the end. breaks at the same area...
C
Comp 670
Well-known member
On my girlfriends M8 that has the bdx kit on it I welded the bumper right to the footrest/chassis peice.Made it ALOT stronger and feels better when lifting it.
The only down side is if the bumper ever has to be removed I will have to cut the weld with a die grinder.Small price to pay to make sure we don't lose a day of riding due to a cracked tunnel...
The only down side is if the bumper ever has to be removed I will have to cut the weld with a die grinder.Small price to pay to make sure we don't lose a day of riding due to a cracked tunnel...
I just checked mine and it has a 1/4" crack on both sides and the tunnel is kinked...Just a matter of time now. Very disappointing.
The only way to make it look good is to replace the tail section. I've been thinking of cutting my sled down to a 153...now I have another reason to do it. VE bumper looks much stronger.
The only way to make it look good is to replace the tail section. I've been thinking of cutting my sled down to a 153...now I have another reason to do it. VE bumper looks much stronger.
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E
ESCAPE TIME
Well-known member
Had a buddy's sled end up with a big kick in it after a couple of good lifts from a stuck.Looks good,function????I wouldn't be using those bumpers for to much guys.I will admit,I use BDX products and they are good products and people,generally.Just my to cents......ET
Wouldn't make any difference. In my pic the bumper is about 3/16 away from the foot rest but it's against it on the other side but the damage is the same. When you lift up on the bumper it pulls it away from the foot rest. This would happen weather it is against it or not. The bumper needs to be attached to the running board to make it stronger. That's what Cat did. So the foot rest would have to be redesigned to allow this.
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J
JHG
Well-known member
I thought the same thing but after thinking about it, I think that butting up to the footrest helps with weight on the tunnel like gas cans so it might help with overall fatigue but it seems the cracking is coming from lifting which would flex the tunnel in the opposite direction.
The cracks in the picture 4 or 5 posts above is caused by the cut not being radiused. If you leave a sharp corner like in the picture, your tunnel will crack. That is why you alway see round edges. I intalled the 09' rear bumper cap and made sure that I radiused the cuts. I have not seen these problems, yet.
I just checked mine and it has a 1/4" crack on both sides and the tunnel is kinked...Just a matter of time now. Very disappointing.
The only way to make it look good is to replace the tail section. I've been thinking of cutting my sled down to a 153...now I have another reason to do it. VE bumper looks much stronger.
Also, where are your rivets? They are supposed to go from the inside of the bumper through the tunnel and end inside the bumper. Kinda sandwiching the tunnel between the bumper. That way the rivets go through 3 pieces of material. I don't see any rivets in this picture
I
ItDoAble
Well-known member
Radius corners, bumper butted up against the footrest, ect. are minor in comparision to the fact there there is a lot of force created on a very small 1" gap between the bumper and the foot well/rails. The very thin aluminum tunnel takes all the force and it's going to fail unless the bumper gets structually tied into the track/footwell bracket. Our Jerry-rigged ' plates on the inside, the VB bumper, and outer plate fix by nose diver Christian all address that issue.
Mike, good to hear a fix is under investigation. We all take some chances when buying aftermarket, and can understand when an issue like this happens ... occasionally. The good companies that last in this market admit their mistakes and fix the problem... sounds like that's your plan.
Mike, good to hear a fix is under investigation. We all take some chances when buying aftermarket, and can understand when an issue like this happens ... occasionally. The good companies that last in this market admit their mistakes and fix the problem... sounds like that's your plan.
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What you leave all the crusties hanging?
two thumbs up Mike....we are human (most of us) and all come with our ....., its how we handle the ..... is what makes us stand out from the others....
Do I get a sticker or something for my troubles?
how about a screaming deal when I break my DD next year!!!
Keep us posted with the fix,
Christian
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