New Years Eve Carnage

[richracer1]

Went riding w/Turbolover Sat in the Mt. Jefferson area of IP. Early in the ride, we were playing around on a hillside and I was in a great sidehill (at least for me anyway) when my left ski hit a rock and slammed the outside edge of the right ski down on another rock or frozen clump of dirt. I got pitched down the hill a little and sled just stopped on its side - thankfully I have a tether installed. A little later I noticed the right ski was looking a little funny so I took a look and found I had tweaked the Barkbuster spindle. Didn't see any other damage to the a-arms, tie-rode or the mounts so I/we continued on. Rode the rest of the day this way - maybe that's why my sled was a tree magnet all day. I now wonder what the outcome would've been if I had the cast OEM spindles - broken spindle maybe and a huge PITA to get back to the truck? Anyway, here's some pics of the carnage.

Left spindle and ski:

Left spindle:

I placed an order for a new spindle this morning - $174 shipped and may have to replace the ski and mount. I'll hit up SLP Tuesday for their opinion on the ski/mount. Once it thaws out, I check out the a-arm mount really close, but I think everything else, a-arms, tie rod, and a-arm mounts survived as I didn't have any failures through out the rest of the ride.

 

[throttlejocky316]

Sorry about your luck, that isn't the way you want to start the new year.

 

[HammsRMK]

Did you find any good snow? A couple of my buddies were out that before xmas and said it kinda sucked. I will be out that way in mid feb.

 

[richracer1]

Its getting deeper but the snow right now is sugar. Still have to watch out for rocks and such unless you couldn't see it like me.

 

[shelbwyo]

Poor shocker

 

[X2Freeride]

Too bad, at least its not too bad of a fix.

 

[richracer1]

Too bad, at least its not too bad of a fix.

Thankfully no.

 

[richracer1]

Sunday I sent an "product feedback" e-mail to Timbersled expressing how impressed I was with the durability the Barkbuster IFS and I included how I bent my spindle and some pics of it. I just got a reply from Dave at Timbersled that he refunded my money for the replacement spindle I had ordered AND has sent me a new SET of "improved" spindles to put on my sled. I had no illusions of getting a new spindle for free, as this was not a manufacturing defect, let alone a set of new spindles.

All I can say is Timbersled's customer is second to no one - period!!!!!!!!!

Allen & Dave - thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich

 

[richracer1]

Just got word back the "improvement" was to make them stronger due to having some bend.

 

[throttlejocky316]

When you ordered your Barkbuster kit did you have a choice between the billet style and the tubular style spindles? I have the tubular style, just wondering if they are weaker or stronger than what you have now.

 

[richracer1]

When you ordered your Barkbuster kit did you have a choice between the billet style and the tubular style spindles? I have the tubular style, just wondering if they are weaker or stronger than what you have now.

No it did not offer any choice other than length and color. Shane, your sled has the first generation design. I apparently got the second generation when I ordered my kit last year (although from IceAge). You can order the spindles for $150 a piece + shipping from T-sleds website or call them.

 

[MARV1]

Dang, tough stuff. And great customer support from Timbersled.

 

[polaris dude]

honestly, I'm surprised your a-arms didn't fail. Those aftermarket must be a lot stronger than the stock. Cuz I did something similar to what you did and my lower a-arm folded and and the ski was at about the same angle as yours. Did you have to try and get yours up a ramp on a trailer too? It was pretty dam difficult to do it on mine cuz our ramp isn't very wide so not much forgiveness on it

 

[richracer1]

honestly, I'm surprised your a-arms didn't fail. Those aftermarket must be a lot stronger than the stock. Cuz I did something similar to what you did and my lower a-arm folded and and the ski was at about the same angle as yours. Did you have to try and get yours up a ramp on a trailer too? It was pretty dam difficult to do it on mine cuz our ramp isn't very wide so not much forgiveness on it

After riding all day like that, yes, I have to go up a ramp, sort of. I have a tilt bed two place trailer - didn't have any issues getting it on the trailer.

 

[sledless bdh]

That's not to bad....Watched a new Pro RMK fly across a lake by our cabin riderless on New Years Eve....owner started it up after it had been sitting and the left hand throttle was stuck open...went 200 yards unmanned then hit the bank, jumped 30 ft in the air, sheared off a 10" diameter tree at about the 12' mark then landed up against another tree. Tunnel and rails buckled and the rest was shot too. Motor and maybe a panel or two were ok.

Nice sled btw!


Austin

 

[richracer1]

I got the new spindles today. The upgrade is very noticeable. They are still the same design, but they didn't mill out as much material along the sides. Here's a couple of pics, the old vs. the new.

 

[turbolover]

You going to have that thing fixed for a ride sometime soon?

Hopefully we can get some snow to be able to do a good ride. I am really getting tired of kiddy trail rides.

 

[Aussie Niko]

Went riding w/Turbolover Sat in the Mt. Jefferson area of IP. Early in the ride, we were playing around on a hillside and I was in a great sidehill (at least for me anyway) when my left ski hit a rock and slammed the outside edge of the right ski down on another rock or frozen clump of dirt. I got pitched down the hill a little and sled just stopped on its side - thankfully I have a tether installed. A little later I noticed the right ski was looking a little funny so I took a look and found I had tweaked the Barkbuster spindle. Didn't see any other damage to the a-arms, tie-rode or the mounts so I/we continued on. Rode the rest of the day this way - maybe that's why my sled was a tree magnet all day. I now wonder what the outcome would've been if I had the cast OEM spindles - broken spindle maybe and a huge PITA to get back to the truck? Anyway, here's some pics of the carnage.

Left spindle and ski:

Left spindle:

I placed an order for a new spindle this morning - $174 shipped and may have to replace the ski and mount. I'll hit up SLP Tuesday for their opinion on the ski/mount. Once it thaws out, I check out the a-arm mount really close, but I think everything else, a-arms, tie rod, and a-arm mounts survived as I didn't have any failures through out the rest of the ride.

I had bend(twisted) my slp ski pretty bad and used the hot water in the bath trick to get it back straight again. Worked a treat, just dunk it in the hot water for a while then once its ready bend back and cold down using snow or cold water. The plastic has a memory.

 

[richracer1]

The sled is back together, just needs some gas and put it in my new trailer. It's a good thing Timbersled sent a pair of replacement spindles because when I got the left one off and put a straight edge on it, it was slightly bent as well.