First time out and I bent my A-ARM / what to replace?

[Colorado^]

No biggie, I know they are designed to fail. It wasn't that big of a hit... didn't even throw me off.

Obviously the lower arm is way bent, but does the rest look OK? Where's the best place to buy parts? I live in the mountains in the middle of no where, so it's a huge hassle to get to a dealer.

Man it was a B!TCH to get this home. It just wanted to turn right the whole time, doubly so for the last mile of dirt/snirt.


Anyway, it was my first time riding a sled. Pretty fun time (about 3-4" of un-tracked powder), but I have LOTS to learn.

What do you guys do when this happens? Roll the sled on to it's side and bash it back into shape with a rock?

I had to go super slow all the way back, and the sled kept over heating. I shut it down and let it cool when it got to 200.

The manual says not to let the engine overheat during the break-in period. It had ~ 27 miles on it when I had to limp home.

Pretty sure the rail/track overheated in the snirt. There was a slight burning smell one time when I stopped to let the engine cool.

All the gear and no idea

 

[deanross]

You did the right thing in limping it back. I'll bet if you had tried to beat it back, it might have broke, then you'd of been in more trouble. Hopefully it didn't get to hot. At least you were shutting it down. Do you have ice scratchers? Don't know if there was enough snow by the way you describe it, but sometimes ice scratchers are a must have. I'm surprised the manual says to not let it overheat during break in, we shouldn't let them overheat ever! Order new parts, replace them and go ride again. I'd just google search Polaris parts and compare prices.Welcome to the sport. It's a blast.

 

[Colorado^]

You did the right thing in limping it back. I'll bet if you had tried to beat it back, it might have broke, then you'd of been in more trouble. Hopefully it didn't get to hot. At least you were shutting it down. Do you have ice scratchers? Don't know if there was enough snow by the way you describe it, but sometimes ice scratchers are a must have. I'm surprised the manual says to not let it overheat during break in, we shouldn't let them overheat ever! Order new parts, replace them and go ride again. I'd just google search Polaris parts and compare prices.Welcome to the sport. It's a blast.

Thanks Dean! Yeah, there was some fresh snow, but no base (for the first mile or so) for the ice scratches to do their thing. We've had a real warm winter.

I ride dirt bikes all through these mountains in summer, so it was great to get a fresh perspective. Being able to go off trail and get to areas that are off limits to dirt bikes was liberating.

 

[Pro-8250]

Kicking snow under the tunnel in the track and placing snow on the tunnel helps.

I think you will find these guys cheaper than the local dealer.

http://www.polarispartshouse.com/

Or try these guys.

http://www.holzracingproducts.com/

 

[Teth-Air]

Put a set of Arm Candy braces on when you get the new arm.

http://www.sourceinnovations.ca/product/polaris-axys-arm-candy-a-arm-brace-kit/

 

[Colorado^]

Kicking snow under the tunnel in the track and placing snow on the tunnel helps.

I think you will find these guys cheaper than the local dealer.

http://www.polarispartshouse.com/

Or try these guys.

http://www.holzracingproducts.com/

Thanks for the link. Looks like it's over $200 for an OEM replacement arm (without the ball joint). Might have to look into the aftermarket, if it's typical to go through 3-5 of these a season.

While I was waiting around for the sled to cool down, I remembered reading about throwing snow on the tunnel, so I did that a few times and it did seem to help. Good tip!

Put a set of Arm Candy braces on when you get the new arm.

http://www.sourceinnovations.ca/product/polaris-axys-arm-candy-a-arm-brace-kit/

Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.

 

[Colorado^]

OK well, I just went down to the garage and noticed that the tie rod is also bent on the left hand side.

Only $20, so not too bad, but no doubt I'm going to find something else. When the right ski is pointing straight ahead, the bars are angled to the left by 10-20 degs.

 

[Pro-8250]

Thanks for the link. Looks like it's over $200 for an OEM replacement arm (without the ball joint). Might have to look into the aftermarket, if it's typical to go through 3-5 of these a season.

While I was waiting around for the sled to cool down, I remembered reading about throwing snow on the tunnel, so I did that a few times and it did seem to help. Good tip!



Thanks for the link, I'll check them out.

For our group it would not be typical to go through 3-5 per season. I have ruined two in my life and my kid has ruined one. And he beats the hell out of everything. Cars, trucks, ATV's, dirt bikes, and sleds. And no point in bringing up his ER visits.

 

[Colorado^]

For our group it would not be typical to go through 3-5 per season. I have ruined two in my life and my kid has ruined one. And he beats the hell out of everything. Cars, trucks, ATV's, dirt bikes, and sleds. And no point in bringing up his ER visits.

A broken A-arm is better outcome than a broken arm, that's for sure. ER visits can be the true hidden cost for sports.

I can't recall where I read the 3-5 a-arms a season (maybe it was a Powermodz video?), but that would be great if it's not common.

 

[deanross]

3-5 A arms a season is crazy. I have over 2000 miles on my 2010 sled and haven't replaced one yet. Depends what the snow conditions are like. If there's no base and it's not very deep, there can be time bombs hidden. I should shut up, I might be riding tomorrow and don't want to jinx myself.

 

[Colorado^]

3-5 A arms a season is crazy. I have over 2000 miles on my 2010 sled and haven't replaced one yet. Depends what the snow conditions are like. If there's no base and it's not very deep, there can be time bombs hidden. I should shut up, I might be riding tomorrow and don't want to jinx myself.

Haha, yeah don't jinx yourself!

Guess I got unlucky on my first time out. Well at least I've got about 8+ months to sort it out.