Front suspension set up

[J270wsm]

Trying to adjust my suspension to make the front end a little lighter.
I borrowed some scales from a friend and discovered that the left ski( 158lbs ) has 25lbs more pressure than the right ski when I’m on the sled.
I’d like to get them more even but don’t want to cause the sled to have crappy handling.
Sled right now is sitting at 42/57%( weight front to back ) with rider.

17axys 163”, chain case, slp can, alt impact 36” front end.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron Burgandy]

did you shorten your front shocks?


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[J270wsm]

No, I’m still running the stock front shocks.

 

[tuneman]

Tighten your front track shock to get the front end lighter, then ride it. If you feel a lean in the front, loosen the spring tension a half/full turn at a time on the downward leaning side until it feels level.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Trying to adjust my suspension to make the front end a little lighter.
I borrowed some scales from a friend and discovered that the left ski( 158lbs ) has 25lbs more pressure than the right ski when I’m on the sled.
I’d like to get them more even but don’t want to cause the sled to have crappy handling.
Sled right now is sitting at 42/57%( weight front to back ) with rider.

17axys 163”, chain case, slp can, alt impact 36” front end.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

cheap way to even out the front is going back to the stock can.

if you spend max $$$ on light clutches it’s only going to be 2.5 pounds off the left side.
otherwise my silber turbo turbo axys is balanced left to right ??

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

No, I’m still running the stock front shocks.

This is most of the issue since your shocks are 7/8” too long. (High ski pressure and unbalanced rear suspension)

 

[tuneman]

This is most of the issue since your shocks are 7/8” too long. (High ski pressure and unbalanced rear suspension)

I believe the newest Alt Impact arms don't require shock shortening. That was just with older versions.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I believe the newest Alt Impact arms don't require shock shortening. That was just with older versions.

When paired with react shocks or with 2017 shocks?

 

[J270wsm]

I have the suspension adjusted so that the rear suspension is taking 57% of the weight when I’m on the sled. Front is noticeably lighter but leans bad in corners on the trail.

Before I go down the rabbit hole......what’s the easiest way to shorten the front shocks?

 

[tuneman]

Adjusting suspension by referencing some scales is completely counterproductive. Reset your suspension to factory specs and then ride it and adjust to correct how it feels. Uneven weighting of the front doesn't matter. Your spinning clutches on the left will throw off any scale correction you'll do. Adjust rear track shock to your weight, adjust front track shock to lighten or weight front, adjust ski shocks to balance, stiffen for better trail performance/bump handling, loosen for easier sidehilling/tipping. Those are the basics, but ya just have to ride it, adjust, test.

As far as shock shortening goes, check with Alternative Impact to see if it's necessary with your setup. If so, both the shaft and tube need to be cut down evenly. Cost is usually around $150/pair.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I have the suspension adjusted so that the rear suspension is taking 57% of the weight when I’m on the sled. Front is noticeably lighter but leans bad in corners on the trail.

Before I go down the rabbit hole......what’s the easiest way to shorten the front shocks?

Gas shock repair in Idaho will shorten shocks correctly.

if they are just monotubes some take off react shocks would be super easy.

easiest way to not lean in corners is to stay 39” wide.

sway bar?

 

[J270wsm]

Adjusting suspension by referencing some scales is completely counterproductive. Reset your suspension to factory specs and then ride it and adjust to correct how it feels. Uneven weighting of the front doesn't matter. Your spinning clutches on the left will throw off any scale correction you'll do. Adjust rear track shock to your weight, adjust front track shock to lighten or weight front, adjust ski shocks to balance, stiffen for better trail performance/bump handling, loosen for easier sidehilling/tipping. Those are the basics, but ya just have to ride it, adjust, test.

As far as shock shortening goes, check with Alternative Impact to see if it's necessary with your setup. If so, both the shaft and tube need to be cut down evenly. Cost is usually around $150/pair.

Other than increasing the rts preload a couple turns the suspension was stock. I believe my rts preload was 1/4” shorter than max length, so it was very close to stock for a 200lb rider. I
installed narrower a arms last jan after I destroyed a lower a arm in McCall. After installing the a arms I noticed the front end felt heavy and was harder to turn the ski’s when on/off trail riding. Basically wasn’t happy with the feel of the narrower front end.

Using the scales I was able to get the suspension adjusted to have lighter feeling skis in a short time period. Now that I have the sled feeling more comfortable I will start to make little adjustments

 

[J270wsm]

No sway bar but I still have it so I could re install it