Hard steering

[benltr]

Hey guys,

I recently changed all 4 shocks on my 163 PRO RMK 2014. They are aftermarket shocks from a 2012 Pro RMK. I bought with his kit both lower A-Arm to fit the front shock length (0,5" longer) and also his front shock skid wheel kit because the reservoir would hit my 2014 inside wheel.

Other than that the dealer rebuild my motor during the summer on warranty.

My problem is that i have to put a lot of effort to turn the steering compared to my buddy which is the exactly the same sled beside the suspension. This is only in my garage and we both dont have carbide anymore on our skis.

Last night i tried to remove some preload on the front shock (about 4 complete turn) and add some preload to the front track shock (about 4 complete turn). It didn't really help. Maybe i have to give more but 4 complete turn is quite a bit.

I took some measurement of both ride height and his sled sits 0,5" higher in the front and about 1" higher on the rear bumper.

I checked also the lower steering post bracket, put some wd40 and retorqued to proper torque. I didn't checked the 2 upper bracket near the gas tank but maybe i should.

I'm a bit confused where to look at because i think i shouldn't give too much effort turning the steering at 0 mph in my garage with no carbide lol.

Any opinion where to look at?

 

[ullose272]

Hey guys,

I recently changed all 4 shocks on my 163 PRO RMK 2014. They are aftermarket shocks from a 2012 Pro RMK. I bought with his kit both lower A-Arm to fit the front shock length (0,5" longer) and also his front shock skid wheel kit because the reservoir would hit my 2014 inside wheel.

Other than that the dealer rebuild my motor during the summer on warranty.

My problem is that i have to put a lot of effort to turn the steering compared to my buddy which is the exactly the same sled beside the suspension. This is only in my garage and we both dont have carbide anymore on our skis.

Last night i tried to remove some preload on the front shock (about 4 complete turn) and add some preload to the front track shock (about 4 complete turn). It didn't really help. Maybe i have to give more but 4 complete turn is quite a bit.

I took some measurement of both ride height and his sled sits 0,5" higher in the front and about 1" higher on the rear bumper.

I checked also the lower steering post bracket, put some wd40 and retorqued to proper torque. I didn't checked the 2 upper bracket near the gas tank but maybe i should.

I'm a bit confused where to look at because i think i shouldn't give too much effort turning the steering at 0 mph in my garage with no carbide lol.

Any opinion where to look at?

What a arms and shocks are they?

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[knocksum]

Too much preload on the rear track shock. I find most guys set these way too stiff.

 

[benltr]

Is it OEM 2012 Pro RMK lower a-arm (not the glued model) and upper 2014 PRO RMK a-arm. The shocks are Elka Stage 5 valved and rebuilt for my weight and type of riding (all spring are also changed for my weight).

It might be a preload issue but i'm not 100% sure on that.

I got a private message to check the spindle bolt if it's too tight. It might be the case when i installed the 2012 lower a-arm..

 

[ullose272]

So just sitting in the shop its jard to turn. If you take off the drag link you could then see if it is stiff in the steering post or the spindle/ linkage. But id imagine its in the spindle or linkage. Id look at the ball joints on the a arms and make sure they arent to tight or like said above the bolts are over tightened

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[benltr]

So just sitting in the shop its jard to turn. If you take off the drag link you could then see if it is stiff in the steering post or the spindle/ linkage. But id imagine its in the spindle or linkage. Id look at the ball joints on the a arms and make sure they arent to tight or like said above the bolts are over tightened

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I'll try that.

Yesterday night i double checked both upper steering post bracket and retorqued them to 18 ft-lbs. I added some Wd40 and they were in great shape so i think we can discard that. After that i retorqued both spindle both to proper torque 40 ft-lbs. No change from that.

I'll do the drag link test and after that i'll check all the ball joints. If that's not the problem, could it be something in the lower fix link ? If not, i'll try more agressive changes to the preload setting on the suspension...

 

[ullose272]

Well if its while its siting in the garage id imagine the shock setting would have little effect

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[benltr]

Well if its while its siting in the garage id imagine the shock setting would have little effect

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That might be true but it is one big factor of the weight distribution. When turning my steering in the garage, it feels i have a duramax engine in front of my sled. The front feels heavy, that's why i was thinking about the preload on my shocks.

 

[ullose272]

If you lift the front end off the ground is it still hard to turn?

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[benltr]

If you lift the front end off the ground is it still hard to turn?

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It is not as hard. It's still not as smooth as my friend pro rmk sitting in my garage at this time. But it's noticeably smoother when it's lifted. Maybe i'll take a video tonight.

 

[POLZIN]

Where the steering bushings removed at any time ? If so they could have been installed upside down. This will cause tight steering . Its the most common mistake I see when people have problems with the bushing assemblies I make.


The bottom bushing should be facing with the extended lip up and the upper facing down

 

[benltr]

Where the steering bushings removed at any time ? If so they could have been installed upside down. This will cause tight steering . Its the most common mistake I see when people have problems with the bushing assemblies I make.


The bottom bushing should be facing with the extended lip up and the upper facing down

I'm not sure but when they rebuild the motor this summer they might have removed them right? Maybe the one at bottom ?

Do you have a picture of what you are explaining with OEM bushing?

 

[POLZIN]

http://www.polarispartshouse.com/oemparts/a/pol/503ef302f8700222b849017a/steering-handlebar-mounting


I hope this link works ! you can see how the bushings as supposed to be installed with the raised lips on the bushings facing each other

 

[benltr]

Guys i found the problem.

The balljoint at the end of the upper a-arm that attach to the top of the spindle. As soon as i tight it a bit (with a 3/8 ratchet) it makes the spindle very hard to move by hand. If i loosen it it's good. I can't ride it that loose so i guess i have to change it? It's strange because there is nothing not normal when you play with it.