Anybody have any handy tricks?Okay so I got a wild hair and tryed to save some money and do my own maintanance on my 02 mountain cat 800 efi le 151. Got the shocks rebuilt new springs, bearings installed and now I'm having a heck of a time lining up the rear skid to install the rear bolts.
Could really use some help! Rear skid bolt line up
- Thread starter IdaWinterWarrior
- Start date
First, you need the back of the sled hanging in the air. Lower the sled enough to get the front bolts in. Get the front bolts in first, Leave them a little loose. I use a clutch puller in the upper arm where the drop brackets are bolted. Lower the sled down to the level of the rear holes. Push like crazy on the clutch puller or big punch or what ever you have for a cheater. Put the bolt in. Repeat on the other side.
Thanks Rixster I'll go give it a try.
I usually have the skid on the floor with the tunnel suspended by a ratchet strap above (allows you to adjust height). Then I use another ratchet strap to compress the skid, adjusting both straps until one side lines up. Chances are you'll have to make some additional adjustments for the other side.
A
Arctic Thunder
Well-known member
I assume you have the standard coil type rear springs. They need to be loose. I just take the bracket off that holds the end of the spring. This helps alot. Just make sure when you get the skid in you have the lower mount for the rear shock turned over the right way. or you will have to get a new track after the first couple miles. It will hit the track if it is turned over.
But for a one man job I almost always make it easier by loosening the springs.
Thunder
But for a one man job I almost always make it easier by loosening the springs.
Thunder
If you release the spring tension on the rear it is a lot easier to line up.
Thanks fellas! I'm off to go recruit some help for this. I guess I'm not as mechanically inclined or as strong as I once thought. Beer on me
dont worry about hanging the sled up....loosen your tension springs, bolt up the front. After you do that tip the sled on its side and you will have no problem dropping a bolt in the rear mounting bracket...snug it down hand tight then flip the sled over to the other side and do the same thing....when all bolts are in all you have left to do is tighten them....
I have tried every other way and this is the easiest and quickest way.
I have tried every other way and this is the easiest and quickest way.
I used a bike tie down from top to bottom on the rear scissor. Seems to work and it's been mentioned hear. When ever I worked on the rear skid first press the suspension down pull the tie down tight then pick the back of the sled off the skid,, after you remove the rear scissor bolts.
Thanks all! Finally got it after a few beers and all your help. 
Rear-rear skid
I just take the rear springs loose at the skid (I have cut a slot in the top of the block that the springs fit into on the slide rails so I don't have to unbolt them, the older sleds used to come this way). Then I take out the bolts that hold the little cross bar in front of the rear scissor, this allows you to move it almost wherever you want. Just make sure when you have it bolted it up you have cam on the rear lower part of the shock is in the up opsition or it will rub on your track. Then when all done just push down on sled and reinstall little bar. Explaination: The little bar is a replacement for the limiter strap and keeps you from pulling it far enough forward to get bolts lined up. I think this is easy for one person to do. Hope this simple to understand, it works for me JIM
I just take the rear springs loose at the skid (I have cut a slot in the top of the block that the springs fit into on the slide rails so I don't have to unbolt them, the older sleds used to come this way). Then I take out the bolts that hold the little cross bar in front of the rear scissor, this allows you to move it almost wherever you want. Just make sure when you have it bolted it up you have cam on the rear lower part of the shock is in the up opsition or it will rub on your track. Then when all done just push down on sled and reinstall little bar. Explaination: The little bar is a replacement for the limiter strap and keeps you from pulling it far enough forward to get bolts lined up. I think this is easy for one person to do. Hope this simple to understand, it works for me JIM
