Broken Skid

S

stinger440

New member
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
57
Age
46
Location
GR MI
I have an '84 Phazer with stock suspension and track. I keep breaking off the bolts that hold the rear spring sliders and the shock mount axel. I use the factory yamaha bolts. I have replaced the sliders with rollers. I get about 100-150 miles and typically its the left side that breaks. It has happened 3 times now. This weekend I had to limp back 75 miles and my skid is all sorts of tore up now. Is this a bad design that was updated at a later date? Am I riding this little beast too hard for what it is? I do have it set fairly stiff as I am about 220lbs fully geared up. I appreciate any insight.
 
I guess that could do it. But that means I only over tighten the left side??? So if this is not a chronic issue with other Phazer skids then that means my skid is munged up some how.
 
That is not normal. Possibly the shock has water in it? That happens when the rod seal gets worn out and leaks. The water freezes and the shock becomes solid. If you hit a bump and the shock does not compress, it could break the bolt.
 
Shocks are brand spanking new. But you make a good point PZ-1. The rear end is stiff as a board. I have tore it completely down and greased it all up. Mounted in the sled its never really had much action to it. Its mounted in the factory holes. I thought it was the nature of the beast. I wonder what would cause it to not compress???
 
Are all the inner shafts free and not rusted tight?? I know you said you greased every thing, but are ALL the shafts free?? Did all the pivot points move freely when you had the skid out??
 
I tore the skid completely down including cutting the frozen spacers off the rear axle. I had to replace the middle wheel. I guess something could have set up since I did it. I don't ever remember this sled squatting for me. I have to tear the skid out anyway, I'll rip it all down and make sure everything is free wheeling. Thanks everyone.
 
Well I'm at a loss right now. I pulled the shock and the axle that holds it out. Unhooked the rear springs. Had my boy jump up and down on the seat and everything is free. All the grease fittings took grease. The shock moves freely. I'm going to clean up that axle shaft and put it back together. Hopefully there is some movement or I see what I am missing.
 
No they are the standard old oil filled shocks. Is there a chance I could have "heavy duty" springs installed?
 
you said you tore it right down and put it back together ......did you get it back together right ......give us some pics
 
You make a good point Yamaha Nutz. I put it back together exactly as I received it, so I guess it could have been wrong to start with. I can't get any good pics as the skid is still in the sled. There are 3 holes in the rails the rear arm could be bolted to. Mine is in the furthest to the rear. The front arm has an upper and a lower mounting hole in the rail. Mine is in the lower.
 
The furthest rear is going to be the most firm setting on the rear arm. Im not sure about the front arm. Yamaha Nutz should know. I think he worked on one or two Phazers. ;)!
 
Is it an original shock or aftermarket? Check the compressed length against the shock you took out if you still have it. If the length is longer than original, the shock could be bottoming out before the suspension hits the bump stops - and breaking the bolt.
 
Just wanted to let the group know I got the skid sorted out. Something was obviously frozen up. I'm pretty sure it was due to the -20F temps but who knows. I had it in the shop to thaw it out, I took the springs off and the shock and made sure all the joints moved freely. Put it back together and now everything moves the way it should. Thanks for all the tips/ideas.
 
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