76 Liquifire rear suspension problems

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 12:41 am

First problem I noticed is the track is tightened all the way and the cleats slap at about 60mph, it is a Kimpex track. I thought maybe the track is just plain stretched out or is the rear skid not really working. With the track tightened with no more adjustment it appears to be tight enough according to the manual. I took the rear suspension out, the springs seem to be stiff but the shocks are worthless. There is oil leaking out every time you pull them out. Should these shocks be pushing themselves to the extended position or are they just plain junk as they appear? Also the front swingarm doesn't seem free on the bottom shaft where it pivots. I know they don't have much for travel, but this seems to have none. I could use some advise on this and where could you get replacement shocks? Thanks Duane

Post by **Matt** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:07 am

While the shocks sound like they are blown, they don't have an effect on the suspension travel, it is all on the springs. The front swingarm should have several inches of movement. Does the rear arm have free movement?

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:59 am

The rear swingarm seams appears to be free with all movements including how it moves in the slide rail. I know this is a simple design but I'm so used to newer Polaris this just seems wierd to me. I quite honestly thought everything would be froze when I got the skid off. I would jump on the rear bumper and it seemed to have no movement and when the track cleats touch especially when hitting a bump it just seems like something is very wrong with the rear suspension. Even though the track looks good I suppose it could be stretched out. Does anyone know where to get shocks that you can make work for this skid? I'm sure there are not any NOS left and if there were it would be a kings ransome(like that snowflap on e-bay) and really, how good are 30 year old new shocks? Thanks for any advise or imput, Duane

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:48 am

Thanks Rich, ever think about adding wheels to the rear suspension, it seems strange it works with only the 3 rear wheels and the wear it must put on the slides.

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:01 am

these sleds dont need the extra wheels. the new sleds including polaris are not quite designed right for sliders alone hence all the "bogie" wheels.

the suspension of these is very simple unlike the newer m10 or m12 suspensions. both arms swing forward..

if your track is slapping while rideing its not the tension it means that the top sliders of suspension are not working, worn out, or broken off.

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:53 pm

Top sliders? Do you mean tunnel protectors?

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 4:38 am

nope not those although if broken and rivets hanging down they do cause problems with ripped cleats...

look at top of shocks on rear swing arm youll see or should see two metal cups these are sliders.. if worn the teeth of track grab rear arm causing slapping noise..

i should also clarify that arms swing forward when going down.

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:49 am

Found out this is a 295S rear skid instead of the original for the 76 Liquifire, could this be causing my problems of a loose track?

Post by **Matt** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:01 am

How did you come to that assesment? 295/S has basically the same suspension except it has dual shocks, but that is the same for all the JDX series so it probably came fom a JDX. It should not make a difference. Is it possible that it is not the correct track?

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:38 am

kimpex durado track number is 04-546 for jdx and 76 77 slide supesion models.

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:59 pm

I didn't see the # on the track, where do they normally stamp the #s.