Hard steering?

[440dart]

I have a 08 dragon and it is very hard to turn compared to other iq sleds ive ridden it is very tireing after a long day it really sucks. I had a bud sit on the sled and turn the bars back and forth while i sprayed wd-40 seems to help a lil bit but not near enough. Anybody have simular problem? or have any ideas?

 

[sledless bdh]

Grease all your zerks....that should help a bunch. Is this something that has just started happening or has it been this way since you got the sled?

 

[mtnsledder]

Measure the ski alignment.

My wife's ProRMK was noticably harder to steer than mine, I measured and she had 1.5" of Toe-in.

I adjusted it to 1/4" Toe-out and it steers much easier.

 

[Stewy]

New spindles and or Slydog Skis help. Set-up is key to like others have posted start with alignment and how tight are your front shock springs ? My D8 is bit heavy at lower speeds too.

 

[440dart]

Didnt find any zerks must be under the tin plate under the exhaust?

 

[Pownar]

There aren't any zerks and you have the latest geometry spindles. The 09+ spindles are just lighter and stronger.

 

[MORSNO]

Has it always been hard to steer? Could be too much ski pressure, alignment, binding, something bent.

 

[440dart]

Just stock 08 dragon stuff iam comparing to a 09 dragon maybe he has the newer spindals ect. I dont remember being hard to turn untill this year iam actually running alot less skipressure then last year.

 

[sledless bdh]

Sorry, I was thinking there were zerk's at the two attachment points that the steering post go through, like on my gen II.

 

[MORSNO]

It's not the spindles, they changed over the years on the RAW chassis, but it wasn't like any bound up causing hard steering. I would be checking the ski alignment (slight toe out) and also looking for anything that might be bent.

 

[labrador]

On my 600 iq rmk if find that the gripper skis are jerky when trail riding. the keels seem to get stuck in other sleds ruts. But, in powder no complaints.

 

[chumbilly1]

steering

I just removed motor from d8 last night and found that my steering rack was contacting my power addiction motor plate. I could not feel this while riding but it was chewing on the aluminum plate pretty good. This particular sled has bent bulkhead and I believe that is the culprit. The more of these IQ raws that I tear down that have been ridin hard, the less regard I have for this chassis. Weak! I believe that alot more of these are tweaked than peopl know. When the motor is out and body work off, it becomes really obvious. These sleds need bracing from shock towers up to steering hoop. If I build another I will fabricate something, probably in an x shape to help rigidity.

 

[Pownar]

It's not the spindles, they changed over the years on the RAW chassis, but it wasn't like any bound up causing hard steering. I would be checking the ski alignment (slight toe out) and also looking for anything that might be bent.

X2 on the slight toe out. Keeps it from darting

 

[KAWGRN]

I had to change to SLP slt skis then it steered great going slow!!To much weight on the skis!dragon 155-09

 

[jeepin270]

I assume u have picked the front end up and turned the skis back an forth to check for bindage?

 

[SLDHVN]

try to make sure when the sled is sitting on level ground that the spindles are as vertical as possible

also, try to make sure the heim joints have free play and are not binding up from sitting and rusting, that makes a big difference

 

[Stewy]

You could shim the skis there's a great post on hcs in the IQ section on how to do it. I just did mine last weekend. It puts more pressure on the rear of the ski and helps with darting. Michahicks is the poster. Basically you take some old hyfax cut it to match the width of the ski gromet drive a screw into the hifax and gromet to help hold it in place. Its a little tough to get the ski bolt back on but no different than installing slydog gromets. Some say it makes a world of difference with handling and way less steering effort.

 

[PAT2]

I just removed motor from d8 last night and found that my steering rack was contacting my power addiction motor plate. I could not feel this while riding but it was chewing on the aluminum plate pretty good. This particular sled has bent bulkhead and I believe that is the culprit. The more of these IQ raws that I tear down that have been ridin hard, the less regard I have for this chassis. Weak! I believe that alot more of these are tweaked than peopl know. When the motor is out and body work off, it becomes really obvious. These sleds need bracing from shock towers up to steering hoop. If I build another I will fabricate something, probably in an x shape to help rigidity.

I had same deal with my FTX plate also. I just ground it out a little. I agree chassis being weak. I'm on my second tunnel and his one only has 900 mile and it already has wave down both sides above foot boards and behind rear suspension mounts. The brace that hold the stock engine stop is supper weak also. If you push or pull side to side a little it will move all over and will the whole piece its bolted to. Makes me wonder if my motor is moving more than we think under load.

 

[Hawkster]

As long as the bulk head is straight alignment of the spindles is done by lifting the front and running a rod threw the spindles ( NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ) odds are you'll run out off threads , I did ,but at least get them close and then the toe out on the skis are set when it's on the ground 1/8 to 1/4 . It'll steer better than it did off the show room floor .