Bent s-modules

[Err]

haha... that is very likely!!


I bought a ktm this summer, and can leave from the house now... it's an ugly addiction, way worse than DH I kinda miss trestle, but I sure do love riding right from the door!!

I'm definitely looking forward to the first time my rod end on my alt impact arms bend... almost excited about it!!! I think if you make the sled stronger & arms weaker, it all adds up.

Current ride is a Berg TE250, wife's on a 250xc, and I just picked up a 250sx this week. Motos are a blast.

I'd sure like to see a pic of the Alternative Impact arms where they are designed to fail. Did you go chromo or ti?

I've got a 154 XM rented this weekend to try it out.

 

[alt]

Do you have any detailed pics of how your system works? I've seen your site but I can't quite make out the details of your system. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong page? Do you offer or recommend braces in conjunction with your arms?

Not a great example, but all I have. This is a 36'' pro that I usually use the moly rod ends on and this guy just happen to use the normal steel ends, but, still shows what in most cases happens, but when it comes to 500#'s of sled vrs fixed objects, there are no guarantees. The impact split the jam nut so it looks like its hanging out even farther than it should be. JMO but the braces are not really needed with this kit but to each his own. Someone may correct me, and that's exactly what these forums are for, but to date I have yet to have anyone tell me they bent the frame before my arms failed. That's not something I like mentioning due to the fact it automatically insinuates they are weak, but again if that were the case, word spreads fast, and people talk. Without sounding arrogant,I honestly feel that confident in my product. Thanks!

Dan

 

[Err]

Thanks, that's the sort of info I was lookin for.

 

[Goinboardin]

I put the two lower GNR braces on my sled before riding it. Hit a rock with the right ski, going up a "lump of snow" while leaning right, ski punched through and caught the rock. I went over the bars, was going about 15mph. Folded up the lower A-arm. Replaced that A-arm, but my shocks aren't located exactly the same on each side. It's slight (maybe 5mm difference) but it is there. I suspect without the braces I'd have trashed the s module beyond riding. Weaker arms would be nice. Might be a future upgrade.

 

[mtsummitx]

Whacked a hidden wooden fence post about 6 inch diameter (one of those good treated forest service ones, not your average ranch post) with my left ski yesterday. Buried under the snow, was making a left hand carving turn and POW!!!! Not sure how fast I was going but it was a decent hit. Threw me forward into the bars, hard enough hit it ripped my hands from the bars as I was going forward, they went forward into my handguards and broke both of them off!! Have not done an extremely thorough inspection yet, but upon inspection on the snow shocks still seem to be in the right place, and skis still appear to be even with each other. If anything is off, it is extremely minor. I think the Grip N Rips did their job.

 

[Err]

Whacked a hidden wooden fence post about 6 inch diameter (one of those good treated forest service ones, not your average ranch post) with my left ski yesterday. Buried under the snow, was making a left hand carving turn and POW!!!! Not sure how fast I was going but it was a decent hit. Threw me forward into the bars, hard enough hit it ripped my hands from the bars as I was going forward, they went forward into my handguards and broke both of them off!! Have not done an extremely thorough inspection yet, but upon inspection on the snow shocks still seem to be in the right place, and skis still appear to be even with each other. If anything is off, it is extremely minor. I think the Grip N Rips did their job.

Yikes! Yeah that's the sort of stuff that just happens sometimes. I'll be curious to hear how the shocks look once you have the skis centered on level ground. It sounds like those braces are very helpful though. In conjunction with Alt Impacts a-arms, it seems that you could ride without worry.

I had a great weekend on an XM, very impressive sled. It took very little effort to make the transition coming off an '11 Pro. The power, fit and finish, and attention to detail were also quite nice, only a few things that I didn't like. I'm seriously considering one for my next sled.

 

[bnorth]

The braces seem to really shine on the lesser hits, on the big nasty ones aluminum will always lose to a large rock or big ol fir tree.

 

[Sulley]

Has anyone put all 3 GnR, or another companies, braces on?Are they bolt on or rivet? I am considering............

 

[backcountryislife]

Has anyone put all 3 GnR, or another companies, braces on?Are they bolt on or rivet? I am considering............

I've got the fett bros belly brace on my 13 146 & 14 154, along with the upper A arm braces from GNR.

My 13 took two medium hits that on an M I would have assumed maybe cracked paint at the welds, or maybe a slightly bent spindle bolt that could be swapped out easily. Both hits bent my S module slightly.

After replacing the bushings, the bend is slight (I was AMAZED how far the bushings made things seem bent btw... a little damage to the junk bushings means a BIG change to the ski.) but it's still there.

After swapping to the 14, I went with the racewerx bumper to give that a try for a few different reasons (acts like the two lower braces) and the GNR upper brace, then also did the alt impact arms, because I don't feel like swapping out S modules any time soon.

IMO the braces serve more purpose than just "bracing" they also protect from lower impact from stumps & rocks... that swiss cheese POS is WEAK... I want it protected.

 

[mtsummitx]

Has anyone put all 3 GnR, or another companies, braces on?Are they bolt on or rivet? I am considering............

I don't have the upper arm braces, but the GnR S and E Mod braces are bolt in.

 

[Sulley]

I have now taken two direct hits to the A-arms courtesy of 4" diameter trees, no damage. I better order that stuff now! GnR best price?

 

[Tanman10]

I've got the fett bros braces on mine and they saved my last trip to the mountains. First day there 2 hours into riding a clipped a stump under the snow. I hit hard enough I knew something was broken. Flipped the sled over and saw my a arm touching my shock and thought for sure I wrecked my s module. Took a look once I found some packed snow and realized my lower a arm was bent about 6" down and my s module was still in one piece. Got the a arm changed that night and I was good to go for the next 5 days of the trip. The shock isn't completely centred now off just enough for me to notice but not bent enough to bother replacing.

 

[GettnUnstuck]

Way to go doo!!!

S module is easy to replace.... Two people prob 4 hour job at most.

 

[Sulley]

I just figure I'd take many more shots that bend and S or E than i would that wreck the bulkhead. Insurance would come into play then....

 

[mtsummitx]

S module is easy to replace.... Two people prob 4 hour job at most.

Installing braces is easier.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Changing a arms is even easier!
Or an upper ball joint.
Thats the weakest link on my sled.
10 min. Tops and i'm up and running.

 

[Sulley]

Changing a arms is even easier!
Or an upper ball joint.
Thats the weakest link on my sled.
10 min. Tops and i'm up and running.

Elaborate on your sled.....

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

11 pro.
Zbroz arms.

I totaled my 09 163 xp 3 times in 6 months.
All the braces didnt help.

Dreaming of putting a 872 in the thing.....
Wishing for a new doo chassis

 

[AKtoad]

Sadly s and e modules are yearly maintenance items. I have a mountain of them in the shed, I can do the s and e modules from start to finish in 5 hours. I too was wanting a new chassis from Doo, until then my pro will have to make do.

 

[Sulley]

You Alaska boys know how to trash shi........stuff! Good thing I'm old and not to aggressive anymore.