Is anyone running the newer timbersled rear skid in a SBA, I had ordered one with ice age rails, exit x1, when I ordered the sled, it was to bolt right in with existing bolt holes. I have had shocks revalved once, and sent everything back to timbersled to figure this out after first two trips. But what I am experiencing is that it bottoms out on little g outs, small jumps, and bigger bumps. I have now kinked my tunnel, have three trips on it and cannot get this figured out. I am told there is no way to bottom this thing. Timbersled has been very good to work with and so has zbroz, but for some reason this doesn't seem to be right, that I can bottom it out this easy. I could use any help out there if you can. Thanks in advance. No bashing here just trying to get any advice, I am still trying to get this figured out with timbersled, but just checking to see if anyone has any ideas that have done this.
Timbersled skid in 12 SBA with stock holes?
- Thread starter PR Performance
- Start date
I am having the exact same problems. Another member on here said they were having the same problem and switched the x-1's out for the fox evols and it solved the problem. I was beginning to think it was because I have the cmx belt drive on my sled.
What spring rates are you running, what about pre-load? I went with the x-1's because I read it would give you the best ride. So I spent the extra money. My skid felt like it was binding up big time.I can stand on the back of the tunnel and it will maybe sag a inch, but then when i hit almost any bump on the front it will bottom out.
I have a 300 rate spring in the rear with no preload on and minimal preload on the front shock. I have been very frustrated with the skid and have decided to try and sell it. I do notice it does keep my front end down which is nice. But it's a rough horrible ride getting to a hil, and listening to it bottom out makes me cringe. Lucky i put PAR tunnel stiffners on when I did the skid so my tunnel is still straight. (I hope)
What spring rates are you running, what about pre-load? I went with the x-1's because I read it would give you the best ride. So I spent the extra money. My skid felt like it was binding up big time.I can stand on the back of the tunnel and it will maybe sag a inch, but then when i hit almost any bump on the front it will bottom out.
I have a 300 rate spring in the rear with no preload on and minimal preload on the front shock. I have been very frustrated with the skid and have decided to try and sell it. I do notice it does keep my front end down which is nice. But it's a rough horrible ride getting to a hil, and listening to it bottom out makes me cringe. Lucky i put PAR tunnel stiffners on when I did the skid so my tunnel is still straight. (I hope)
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550iq
Well-known member
Same issue here too. I got a "fit" kit for my Assault SB and like you started to ruin rail bump stops with violent bottoming. The shocks seem like all the pressure is gone and the spring is too soft (the shock is set as stiff as TS provides for the x1 shock). I noticed that when near bottom out, the shock would "cam-over" and not compress at all in the last few inches of torque arm travel. Thus the heavy hit, the suspension bottoms as the torque arm stops compressing the shock with travel left to give.
I noticed in the installation instructions that there were two different positions for the lower shock mount to the rails. The first was a 3-5/8" or so spacing forward from the rear torque arm position (this was correct per TS) the second mounting location was the same holes used for the stock rear torque arm/rail attachment. This location is about 1" farther forward of where TS said was correct, but it does stand the rear shock more vertical and may stiffen the stroke and cure the over centered bottoming. A trial is planned with this revision.
I did not have the time to figure the TS skid out prior to my Iron Dog ride and replaced it with a reworked stock skid, but I am not giving up on the TS unit as I did experience enough brief moments of brilliance to conclude its a keeper and worth the effort to perfect. 550iq
I noticed in the installation instructions that there were two different positions for the lower shock mount to the rails. The first was a 3-5/8" or so spacing forward from the rear torque arm position (this was correct per TS) the second mounting location was the same holes used for the stock rear torque arm/rail attachment. This location is about 1" farther forward of where TS said was correct, but it does stand the rear shock more vertical and may stiffen the stroke and cure the over centered bottoming. A trial is planned with this revision.
I did not have the time to figure the TS skid out prior to my Iron Dog ride and replaced it with a reworked stock skid, but I am not giving up on the TS unit as I did experience enough brief moments of brilliance to conclude its a keeper and worth the effort to perfect. 550iq
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I am running the 350 rear spring, and extra preload and it still does exactly that, feels like the shock goes over center there is no resistance the last 1 1/2 of travel and bottoms out very harshly, Timbersled has also recommend the evol x shocks but I have the exits on the front and am very happy with those, and I was told when I ordered this the the x1 package would be the best all around ride, for drops and jumps, that is what dan adams is running . I don't want to give up on it either because I have had times where it is very nice in the deep powder compared to stock. I may be sending my sled out to the hillclimbs this weekend to see if they can figure it out. I did move my skid to the top hole in the front mount and am going to try that out.
325 springs here. Picture of set up attached. note the mounting holes for the shocks. You need preload on this set up. Seems like i did over 1" of preload, but I like shocks super stiff. Little rough on bumpy groomers, but oh so sweet off trail. I have yet to bottom this skid out and I have hucked it off some sizeable cliffs (have photos and video to prove it 
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) So how is your tunnel holding up, I am running about 3/4" of preload and they tell me that is too much, but we will see. Well my dealer who I bought all of my stuff from is heading out to Jackson hole hillclimb this weekend and has talked to the guys at Zbroz and Timbersled and they are taking my sled out there to get it figured out. Super huge thanks to Ean for doing this for me and to the guys from zbroz and timbersled. I will try to give information to what they have found when it gets back. If there is any other guys running the SBA with this skid would love to hear your feedback as well.
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5
550iq
Well-known member
325 springs here. Picture of set up attached. note the mounting holes for the shocks. You need preload on this set up. Seems like i did over 1" of preload, but I like shocks super stiff. Little rough on bumpy groomers, but oh so sweet off trail. I have yet to bottom this skid out and I have hucked it off some sizeable cliffs (have photos and video to prove it
phatty,
On the top picture, there appears to be a hole just rearward of the lower shock/rail connection. This is what my skid looks like: the TS recommended hole (rearward) and the also recommended rail attachment where the stock torque arm attaches (forward). I see your rear shock is set to the forward hole (if I am seeing this right). This may be the ticket to try. Thanks for the photos and by the way, fine looking rails. 550iq
I have the timbersled tunnel gussets installed to distribute the force from the skid across more of the tunnel. Yes the rear shock is mounted in front hole, and the front shock is in the rear hole. i dont know whether its recommended by timbersled, but it works great for me. I think Matt Entz runs this same set up.
I've been doing my best to abuse this exact setup on turbo sleds for the last 2 winters and it handles everything I have put it through. It's in the instructions to mount the bottom of the rear shock in the forward hole on the new(2012 and up) skid. From talking with Allen, I believe the angle of the forward hole is 30% stiffer. As for the EXIT shocks, they are the best available. But they do need to be properly setup. With my original setup, I was bottoming just as you are all talking about. So I went to a stiffer spring and then stiffer yet. I primarily ran the 325 spring and was very happy with it. This year I have been pushing the skid even more in less ideal conditions at times and have been running a 350 spring and that's what I'll stick with from here on. I really like running a heavier spring because I can run less preload and have less ski pressure. It's all relative to your riding weight, how you ride, and what you want out of your skid. I weigh around 200 geared up and with my bca pack loaded. I ride very aggressive on a 155 turbo and set my suspension to be good all around, but especially to handle jump and drop landings safely. You get the best ride, in my opinion, with the coupling adjustment threaded all the way out. I only dial it in for extremely steep sidehilling and when I need control climbing something. I also have the Timbersled tunnel reinforcement plates on my sled. I think they are very beneficial, especially for anyone doing much jumping.
Don't hesitate to contact Allen or anyone else at Timbersled with questions as well as the guys at Zbroz. They're always happy to help and want your equipment working properly and meeting your expectations. I'm always happy to go into more detail and try to help also based off of my experience(5 years with Timbersled skids and 3 years on EXIT shocks). Feel free anytime to message me here or email matt@mountainskillz.com and I will try to help.
Don't hesitate to contact Allen or anyone else at Timbersled with questions as well as the guys at Zbroz. They're always happy to help and want your equipment working properly and meeting your expectations. I'm always happy to go into more detail and try to help also based off of my experience(5 years with Timbersled skids and 3 years on EXIT shocks). Feel free anytime to message me here or email matt@mountainskillz.com and I will try to help.
Well I got my sled back from visiting Allen with Timbersled and Zbroz at jackson hole this past weekend. They did get it fixed, I no longer can bottom this thing, it does not have the cam over feel, this is with the rear spring turned as loose as it can go and compression set to the softest setting.( may have to get softer spring now). I want to go into detail about what they did but I did not get to go. But I would recommend contacting Allen after this week as he is out testing. He is aware of what was going on now for this skid in this chasis. And he will be able to get you the assistance you need. I really appreciate Ean with kool me customs for taking my sled all the way out there to get this resolved. I am excited to ride this with out any bottoming. Also appreciate Zbroz and Timbersled for taking the time to get this resolved during the Jackson hole Hillclimb. These guys are top notch. They do have great products and service to make sure their stuff works. Thanks a bunch.
