front end troubles - help needed

[RandyS]

My front end of my two 09 rmk's are cracking due to snow coming into the sled through the front...I have frogskinz but snow still coming in through area where hood opens (dead center front area)...now I see that the snow that turns to ice from the muffler has caused my front to buckle or take on weight and has cracked away at rivets that attach to the front bumper.....bummer....there is no way to re-rivet as it has cracked the front belly from the bumper....any ideas on a fix..pi$$ poor design...jeez....700 miles on one..1200 on the other and all flatland driving....

 

[volcano buster]

My front end of my two 09 rmk's are cracking due to all flatland driving....

Got any pictures? I'm having a hard time following where you are running into the problems.

 

[RandyS]

thanks for the response...no I do not and thought of that...I will grab some in morning when it is light out...basically two rivets that join bumper on very front of sled where plastic meets the bumper...both chunks of plastic busted off right behind the rivet...ya...probably would have to look at yours or see my pic for it to make sense...thanks for the response and I will post pic tomorrow..thanks!

 

[MORSNO]

Sounds more like the plastic cracked from stress from the bumper being lifted, pulled, or impact with something. Polaris front bumpers are more of a cosmetic piece than an actual bumper that will protect your sled from damage. Be happy that it is better than the original IQ plastic bumpers that were held on with nothing more than plastic and screws. Skinz makes a very durable front bumper that will be a huge improvement for you.

http://www.skinzprotectivegear.com/snowmobileproductah/bumpers.html

 

[rmkboxer]

I replaced my bumper and left those rivets out. gives me more flex if I hit stuff

 

[F-Bomb]

I can't really state for a fact that added snow in the front couldn't cause that but it does seem kind of questionable. I've ran several of that sled without any block off without breaking those clips off. But I've also broken those clips off by hitting the front bumper in an upward motion. The bumper is held in position in the back by the two bolts against the front of the bulkhead assembly. It's an adjustment system so you can line up how your hood fits. The front clips are essentially just to hold that flexible plastic from falling away and leaving a gap. I've ran this sled with a busted front end for a complete season and it's just fine. (it's not my first time replacing the front plastic and it frustrates me to spend money so I wait for a more catastrophic incedent)

Double check your rear bolt position and make sure they aren't putting stress on your clips if you fix it.