Skid removal and install - 98 Vmax

mdkuni

mdkuni

New member
Joined
Apr 7, 2004
Messages
250
Location
Houghton Lake, MI
I removed the skid this weekend on my dad's sled as I found a decent crack on the w-arm. Not bad considering it has held up for over 10,000 hard miles!

I have never removed the skid before and I need help getting easier access to the w-arm bolt on the right side of the sled (sitting on the sled). Do you have to drill out the rivets and remove the metal foot plate or is there an easier way. I ended up sticking a wrench with a long socket through one of the holes and made slow progress on taking it out. There has got to be an easier way. I posted a pic..

Also, I was looking at the parts diagram and it says there should be a bushing on the bolt on the inside of the tunnel for where the w-arm bolts to the tunnel. They were not there! 10,000 miles caused them to disintegrate?

Any tips for getting the skid back in!?!
 

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mdkuni said:
I removed the skid this weekend on my dad's sled as I found a decent crack on the w-arm. Not bad considering it has held up for over 10,000 hard miles!

I have never removed the skid before and I need help getting easier access to the w-arm bolt on the right side of the sled (sitting on the sled). Do you have to drill out the rivets and remove the metal foot plate or is there an easier way. I ended up sticking a wrench with a long socket through one of the holes and made slow progress on taking it out. There has got to be an easier way. I posted a pic..

Also, I was looking at the parts diagram and it says there should be a bushing on the bolt on the inside of the tunnel for where the w-arm bolts to the tunnel. They were not there! 10,000 miles caused them to disintegrate?

Any tips for getting the skid back in!?!
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Take the rubber plug out of the side of the sled! use an extention & back it out! You need to get a whole bushing kit $$$$ all new bearings probably idlers too! I have done this by my self 3 times & going on 5 times have 2 97's loosen up the shocks all the way limiters also, I Bolt up the front first, then I let the jack down & line up the back I then have a small piston jack & raise up the middel & all done! You will have several people give you ideas but like I said I do this by my self in 30 min!
 
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You have got to be kidding me. Is the pic I posted what you are talking about? Do they just snap out?

Oh well, you live you learn. That will be much easier when I put that bolt back in.
 

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mdkuni said:
You have got to be kidding me. Is the pic I posted what you are talking about? Do they just snap out?

Oh well, you live you learn. That will be much easier when I put that bolt back in.
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Yep! Thoes little plugs are all over for a reason! Your sled sits like mine now! LOL
 
mdkuni said:
:o| :o| :o| I think that pretty much says it.

Any ideas on the bushings and reinstall?
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Well I think I bought all my bushings last year at Max performance but they went under! I am sure one of these guys knows who else had a kit w/ all of them maybe mountain performance? I have to get all new too! or just buy a skid from someone here! mine is pretty rough just got the sled & by the time you spend $100+ on bushings ,bearings ,idlers, shocks & god knows what else! might just by from someone that has a real nice skid! Are you putting Viper shocks on for a long traveled sled? I did tell you how I install in my first post to you! There is several ways about getting R done!
 
I would go with the whole kit as far as bushings and you might want to consider shocks while your there if they've never been replaced. I put the front 2 bolts in first, flip the sled on its side, put the rear two in, then use a prybar on the middle and do one side, flip it over and do the other. Ya get pretty good after 10 times or so... but to each there own I guess.good luck.Nice sled BTW. I had one just like it a few years back ;)!
 
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I completely overlooked your first post as I got caught up in the fact that there are holes to remove the bolts. I am sure it will be fun putting it back in. Thanks for the suggestions. :rocks:

I know it is not cheap. I just had to order like $126 in wheels for my Dad's Venture. Not a cheap sport, but worth every single penny that is for sure! :yam:
 
By the way, I replaced the rear shock this Winter with one from an SXR and am doing the same for the front shock now that the skid is out. I got a set from toDsrx with about 1500 miles on them.
 
mdkuni said:
By the way, I replaced the rear shock this Winter with one from an SXR and am doing the same for the front shock now that the skid is out. I got a set from toDsrx with about 1500 miles on them.
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Well like I said we are doing the same thing! I see you ride Houghton! I live in Kentucky & we go to Gaylord, Maybe we can meet up next year some time! I have 2 sleds A buddy of mine goes with me!
 

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kysledneck said:
Well like I said we are doing the same thing! I see you ride Houghton! I live in Kentucky & we go to Gaylord, Maybe we can meet up next year some time! I have 2 sleds A buddy of mine goes with me!
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Look me up next season, I mostly ride anywhere from Houghton Lake north! How often do you make it up? Thanks again for the help!
 
mdkuni said:
Look me up next season, I mostly ride anywhere from Houghton Lake north! How often do you make it up? Thanks again for the help!
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Last year just once! Hey just went to mountain performance $95 for there bushing kit!
 
mdkuni said:
Also, I was looking at the parts diagram and it says there should be a bushing on the bolt on the inside of the tunnel for where the w-arm bolts to the tunnel. They were not there! 10,000 miles caused them to disintegrate?
Click to expand...

That bushing is not for the bolt,, it's goes in the tube of the W arm one on
each side, then the shaft slides through the bushings, if you got the skid
out i suggest you look at all the bushing, you will find out that there all bad
i bet.
 
mdkuni said:
I completely overlooked your first post as I got caught up in the fact that there are holes to remove the bolts. I am sure it will be fun putting it back in. Thanks for the suggestions. :rocks:

I know it is not cheap. I just had to order like $126 in wheels for my Dad's Venture. Not a cheap sport, but worth every single penny that is for sure! :yam:
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Don't buy the stock yamaha wheels, it is super expensive. Most dealers can look up aftermarket parts or check out Dennis Kirk or someone like that. Also put in wheels where you can just replace the bearings instead of having to replace the whole wheel. On the Vipers I know there are several like this, not sure on the older models.
 
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