Broken A arm Bushings???

[208_RMK]

Ok so I checked my my A arms and see that the bushing on one side is cracked and the other is missing half of it! How often does this happen, am I riding the piss out of this thing or do they wear out/break in time??

 

[backcountryislife]

oh, are those things SUPPOSED to still be there after 100 miles???

They're junk & have broken on all the M's I've owned.

Look at the delrin ones, big improvement & less weight.

 

[208_RMK]

yeah I can't hardly believe they are all busted up especially on the right side. I hit hard on the left enough to bend my ski. I am in the process of taking the front end a part and going to get all the broken stuff replaced. Oh yeah I have 1100mi on my sled.

 

[SnowBound]

The stock bushings are junk. They don't seem to flex or bend. They shatter! I'm running Delrin bushings now and have no problems. They are extremely strong and saves a pound or two of weight by replacing them. You can also get billet alluminum ones for $50.

 

[208_RMK]

Where do I order the delrin or billet aluminum bushing from? Also I heard that aluminum wont work because of metal on metal?

 

[newtrout]

Where do I order the delrin or billet aluminum bushing from? Also I heard that aluminum wont work because of metal on metal?

Cat sells a whole front end kit for $65 that includes the 2010 style bushings, axles and bolts. They appear to be aluminum and they don't crack and shatter like the cheap pot metal junk on the older M's.

 

[sledtahoe]

bushings

cats sells new updated bushing kit.The old ones are made to break, if the other plastic bushings are worn out they tend to break more easily.

 

[sledtahoe]

oh yah

Cat sells a whole front end kit for $65 that includes the 2010 style bushings, axles and bolts. They appear to be aluminum and they don't crack and shatter like the cheap pot metal junk on the older M's.

If you get the kit from cat and do need the axle bolts get them then,because for some dumbass reason cat does not give you new ones, at least not my kit....that was why i bought it in first place go figure

 

[chuckbernard]

I like the ones that break because they are the easiest way to gauge whether you have bent the A-Arms or not. Especially if you're looking to buy a used sled because you can spot the damage in an instant

They are pretty cheap and easy to replace so it hasn't irritated me enough yet to make a change.

 

[Ihntdux]

I wish that I could just break the bushings!! If your a-arms are bent the paint will start to flake off around the welds also. I have put 3 new sets of A-arms, 2 new shocks and spindle on my money pit this year so far. I guess we need some snow or I should try riding the trails but how much fun is that.

 

[MR.T]

A arms and bushings

I wish that I could just break the bushings!! If your a-arms are bent the paint will start to flake off around the welds also. I have put 3 new sets of A-arms, 2 new shocks and spindle on my money pit this year so far. I guess we need some snow or I should try riding the trails but how much fun is that.

I think we found a weak link in the m series cats... The a-arms. I've bent a-arms going down rough trails, not at high speeds either. I've had the paint flake off after one trip on new arms. I went to a way better grade bolt on the lower a arm, through the spindle. That did help. When the bolt breaks, it does way more damage.
I don't "bash" my cat around either. I try and take care of it.
I finally decided though, that I'm going to try a set of chrome-moly a-arms. Got a set through Jeff at Black Diamond extreme. They have a 7/16" titanium bolt instead of a 3/8" on the outboard lower arm(spindle). Or stay with a 3/8" bolt,your choice. They also use aluminum bushings instead of that crap A/C uses. The A-arms come with a chromed finish. Very nice!! I'll try anything once.... well, almost anything.

 

[208_RMK]

Well I just got my cat back together, thought I'd update since I started this post. I had all my A-Arm bushings made out of 6061 billet aluminum, my dad owns a company full of Hass CNC machines mills/lathes. Upon inspection all of my A arms were bent ever so slightly but definately bent. Now shes straight for one more ride this weekend then I'm tournament bass fishing til the snow flys next fall. I anticipate a set of chrome moly A arms over the summer before next fall!!!