Help can't steer 09 m1000 162

[SNOW 365]

I have a 09 m1000 162 sp. This is the hardest sled to steer that I have ever rode.I put on a pair of slp powder pro's, never rode with the stock skis. What can be done to solve the steering effort that it takes to turn the ski's? I think that I'll put the stock ones on and try that. I have also cranked up the spring on the rear shock about half way. Thanks for any input you guy's have.

 

[Jeff K]

search the M-Series forum for threads about dropping the front skid mount one hole. Basically you need to drop the skid out, and inside the tunnel you will see the hole that is drilled for the front skid mount. You will also see a that there are two other holes in the plate (one above, one below) that are not drilled. Drill out the lower hole and re-install your skid. This makes a HUGE difference!

Once you have done that, read WyoBoy1000's thread on "how to avoid trenching" which discusses how to set up your rear skid suspension.

Hope that helps.

 

[IRC]

if u havent greased ur steering do it w synthetic grease and push all the factory stuff out its too thick

 

[Snowman 2001]

Check your ski alignment, 1/8"-1/4" toe out is what you want. My 09 M8 was way off. I would also check your front shocks air pressure.

SLP also has two mounting locations for the Powder Pros. One position reduces steering effort. I can't remember which either foward or back...

 

[WyoBoy1000]

You have to let the sled turn its self not force it, the stock skis are the worst ski on the market. tightening the front skid shock will only add problems, how tight are the front shocks.

 

[backcountryislife]

You have to let the sled turn its self not force it, the stock skis are the worst ski on the market. tightening the front skid shock will only add problems, how tight are the front shocks.

boy, I've gotta disagree 100% on both counts.

I have run a number of different skis & gotta say I like the stockers overall the best for my riding. (powderpros are the best imo, but I can't justify that kind of $$ for the improvement)

As for the steering issues, I say the opposite, it's ALL in your skid. Most folks that I have run across that are not happy with their 1000's, have changed their minds after I've messed with their suspension setup just a little bit. Increase front preload & decrease rear a tad, you'll end up with a much more useable front end. If the sled starts to push in corners (I don't mean on the trail, I mean turning the sled in normal conditions), you went too far.

Softening the ski shocks can help SOME but I feel that's the wrong way to go about finding a good setup as the weight is put where the skid puts it, so if your sled is front heavy, it won't change with a small change in the ski shocks in my opinion.

Keep in mind, the skid shocks work together, if you change one & not the other you may go in a direction that you don't like, but keep playing around till you find a sweet spot.


you say tomato...

 

[White Rad]

holtz has a multi rate spring on front skid shock and can re-valve it to your weight/ style. stiffer springs make the front lighter and you don't have to pre-load shock too much. i then moved my front skid back to middle mounting holes and no more trenching. just an option

 

[woodyh]

2008 M8 Snp pro

I have the same issue with my M8 I rode last weekend only second time on this sled I feel like I was in a two day fight. I had a 2005 M7 before this sled and lots of other new cat's over the years this thing is kicking my A$%. Any input would be great it is ok off trail but not as easy to ride as M7 and on trail turns like a old binder grain truck. I'm not that excited about Air shocks mybe i'm to old for the new stuff. WOULD LOVE ANY HELP

 

[J-Dog]

On your steering post where the arm comes off of it that hooks to your linkage . There are some holes closer to the steering post . Drill out the next one in and remount your linkage there this helps alittle .This gives you more leverage .

 

[logchain]

boy, I've gotta disagree 100% on both counts.

I have run a number of different skis & gotta say I like the stockers overall the best for my riding. (powderpros are the best imo, but I can't justify that kind of $$ for the improvement)

As for the steering issues, I say the opposite, it's ALL in your skid. Most folks that I have run across that are not happy with their 1000's, have changed their minds after I've messed with their suspension setup just a little bit. Increase front preload & decrease rear a tad, you'll end up with a much more useable front end. If the sled starts to push in corners (I don't mean on the trail, I mean turning the sled in normal conditions), you went too far.

Softening the ski shocks can help SOME but I feel that's the wrong way to go about finding a good setup as the weight is put where the skid puts it, so if your sled is front heavy, it won't change with a small change in the ski shocks in my opinion.

Keep in mind, the skid shocks work together, if you change one & not the other you may go in a direction that you don't like, but keep playing around till you find a sweet spot.


you say tomato...

I agree 100% the stock skies will steer much easier than the powder pro. turn the pre load up on the front of the skid frame a little not to much about 3/4" of threads showing below the jam nut. drop the front of the skid to the lower hole, you will have to drill them out first. this will make a night and day diffrence. then you may want to try the powder pros again

 

[Dano702]

My 09 M1 turns to easy , i dont turn the bars all that much . I can just stand up and lean a bit and it turns very good . I can almost just think about it and it goes where i want it to.


What pressures do you have in your shocks and how much do you weigh with gear?

 

[glassman]

I have an 09 m8 and on my first ride i thought my arms were going to fall off. It had simmons ski's on it, that is a no-no. I put a pair of skidoo pilot 6.9 off my rev and wholy cow, it is a new machine. Not saying these are the right ski's for you, but the wrong ski's are a huge problem.

 

[woodyh]

I have simmons skis on my 08 sno pro I had factory and they seem to be the same as simmons steers like a pig

 

[Beavis]

I ride the same sled - '09 M1000 SP - and having the same complaints. My '07 seemed much better balanced even though it was 40lbs heavier. I'm not so sure the '07 skid didn't transfer better. My '09 pushes in the corners and is a beast to throw around. I've ran the Powder Pro's on both sleds and they are a big improvement over stock. But I'm with ya dude, I'm looking to make adjustments cuz I come home spent after a day of riding.

 

[catfreak]

On your steering post where the arm comes off of it that hooks to your linkage . There are some holes closer to the steering post . Drill out the next one in and remount your linkage there this helps alittle .This gives you more leverage .

I know it works on the M-8's but on my M1000 the tierod hits the back headbolt after doing this mod..

 

[SNOW 365]

Thanks for all the replies. I ran the powder pro's on my king, and really liked them. I am using the back holes for the mounting, which is supposed to make the steering lighter. As I said before I tightened the front shock in the rear skid some. Sounds like I will have to drop the rear skid, and drill out the lower mounting hole, hopefully that will help. Has anyone tried the 10'' wide simmons on a 1000 162, and how do they work?. I am thinking of buying a set alot of money if it don't help with the steering effort though. Someone asked what I weigh with gear on, about 300 lbs 6'5 tall. Keep your comments coming maybe we can get this fixed....

 

[logchain]

the gen. 2 simmons will steer even harder. I have tried them but the front end does not dive in the snow like the other skies

 

[catfreak]

Thanks for all the replies. I ran the powder pro's on my king, and really liked them. I am using the back holes for the mounting, which is supposed to make the steering lighter. As I said before I tightened the front shock in the rear skid some. Sounds like I will have to drop the rear skid, and drill out the lower mounting hole, hopefully that will help. Has anyone tried the 10'' wide simmons on a 1000 162, and how do they work?. I am thinking of buying a set alot of money if it don't help with the steering effort though. Someone asked what I weigh with gear on, about 300 lbs 6'5 tall. Keep your comments coming maybe we can get this fixed....

After having my shocks revalved by GSR I put a stiffer front spring on the skid and that helped quite a bit w/ ski pressure.

 

[tgoodwin]

I'm sure this won't be too much help since I'm on the 07, and my steering on the trail is still a little difficult, but I went with the Slydog powderhounds over the stockers and this was a night and day difference in control. I really need to update my spindles to a newer style to get a better turning radius, but I felt like the ski upgrade was great.

 

[kyle.duncan86]

My dad is having the same problem with his '09 M8 153" he has gen 2 simmons on it. He has tried stiffening the rear shock but it didn't help. We did find out that he has a bad steering linkage, getting that replaced soon so hopefully that helps. I rode it all day Monday and it was an absolute PIG to try and steer! Any help is appreciated!