Check your ski shock spring preload collars

[Murph]

Don't know if this was an isolated incidence but one of our Pro RMK's ski spring preload collar came completely loose.

So loose that the spring was rattling and the lower collar (the slotted one that holds the bottom of the spring) fell off when we were digging out the sled.

Luckily, we noticed the rattling spring when we started up the sled and the front was in the air.

I reinstalled the collar and tightened down the spring pre-load. I went over to my sled and noticed that I could spin the threaded collar by hand. I don't know if this is normal.

I need to recheck the manual for installed spring lengths.

 

[Gotmud]

I found the same thing on my switchback assault. I actually found it when removing the springs, didn't need to loosen the left side.

 

[ak49er]

The proper way to set the MINIMUM spring preload is to jack the front end up 'till the skis come off the ground, then tighten the springs until there is enough pre-load that the collars can't fall out. This is the MINIMUM pre-load. So thatr they don't come loose when the skiis come up.

I mark this with a marker so that if I get to tuning on the trail I don't ever go past it.

 

[Murph]

The proper way to set the MINIMUM spring preload is to jack the front end up 'till the skis come off the ground, then tighten the springs until there is enough pre-load that the collars can't fall out. This is the MINIMUM pre-load. So thatr they don't come loose when the skiis come up.

I mark this with a marker so that if I get to tuning on the trail I don't ever go past it.

^^^^^^Agreed.

The problem was (my fault really) never checked the initial preload on either sled, had to set her shocks same as mine.

Got home, looked in the owner's manual and there is no installed spring free length (no weight on machine)

Anyone have the Preload specs for ski shocks for the various rider weights?