Serious wrenching

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:36 am

The X8 is hanging from the shop hoist. Pulled the suspension, and track out.

On inspection, the shafts were not seized, in fact, I pulled them out with my fingers!
Installed new springs on Rich's advice ( as per FAQ ) Will report back on that.
Suspension is cleaned and ready for some fresh paint.

Can't believe the luck I have had on the two sleds I have taken the driveshafts out of.
In both cases, the lower sprocket came off without a puller, just threaded a 5/16 bolt into one of the holes, and wriggled it off

Shaft looks good, ( as it should as sled has <500 miles on it ) But the speedo drive key looked like a pretzel ( though it worked ) and I found a piece of cleat wedged up in the top of the tunnel

:o

New Kimpex track is ready for installation, will put fresh bearings on the driveshaft while I'm in there.

afponiky · Post by **afponiky** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:24 am

You have all the luck!

GRP

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:08 am

Speedo drive was the problem, took pliers to turn it. Installed used one I had, NOS one is in the beater sled!

Suspension is painted and installed. New Kimpex track. Still need to re-attach the spring tension adjusters, ( that may be a two person job ).

Putting the suspension in was not the simplest job, a lot of messing around to get the track stretched out enough to get the shafts of the suspension, lined up with the holes in the tunnel.

Feeling more like winter here now! I haven't had my coat on in a month, just been running around in the Carrhart vest, did today! Snow in the forecast for the next several days.

later

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 6:22 pm

Brian,
Did you retain the original springs and 2 shock swing arm or swap in a later cyclone type.

Post by **Matt** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:13 pm

Brian, I'm doing the same thing right now, except I'm not painting. I installed new slides, and changed the shocks with a spare suspension. Everything came right apart easy. Getting it back in the tunnel was another story.

The softer rear spring tensioners were not that hard to get into place, however the front ones are being difficult. I couldn't get them in, and got tired so I put it off for later. I think I may be able to use a rachet strap to put spring tension on while I bolt it.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:55 am

Matt

I got everything installed tonight. First off, I did not invert the sled, I've got the rear end hanging from an overhead chain hoist.

I wound up compressing the springs by using a floor jack to push up on the 1 1/4" wrench until I could get the bolt started.

My X8 has longer bolts in the front, and shorter in back, so the rears really weren't much easier.

You really can't compress the spring while holding the nut and turning the bolt, you are one hand short

I didn't go nuts on the paint, just a spray can to freshen it up.

Rodimus Prime · Post by **Rodimus Prime** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:09 am

okay tip for future reference.. undo the shocks makes getting those bolts in easier.

JD500devos · Post by **JD500devos** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:12 am

400 Brian mentioned something about the speedo drive looking like a pretzel. Which I think mean all bent up. Is this what causes the speedometer to jump around a little when sitting there idling and nothing is engaged? Does vibration send a quick motion through the line because it is weaker bent causing it to jump around when idling. Or is it just normal?

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:26 am

The speedo drive KEY, looked like a pretzel. The part that connects the drive bushing in the axle, to the speedo angle drive unit. It's a short piece of speedo cable, made square on each end. If the angle drive is messed up, and turns hard, the drive key gets bent out of shape.

:o The fix is to replace the angle drive.

The bouncing of your speedo pointer shouldn't have anything to do with the drive or cable I wouldn't think. More likely just engine idle vibration causing it.
If you think that your speedo isn't working right, they can be bought off ebay real cheap. Deere must have had a million of them in the parts pipeline.

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:29 am

harleysportster wrote: Brian,
Did you retain the original springs and 2 shock swing arm or swap in a later cyclone type.

Sorry Pat, I must have missed this.

The original suspension was in such nice shape, and Ed Poets sold me the new springs, that I stayed with the original setup.

blitzblack · Post by **blitzblack** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:00 pm

Ive had good luck doing these suspensions alone,To get the spring adjusters in place I use a 15"cresent wrench to pull down on the adjuster. I've done 5 of my sleds so far.Seems like all the sleds that I get with these type suspensions the cross rod is stuck solid and neds to be freed up

75rat · Post by **75rat** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:18 pm

"The bouncing of your speedo pointer shouldn't have anything to do with the drive or cable I wouldn't think. More likely just engine idle vibration causing it."

I assume we are talking about needle bounce while moving, not at idle. If so, I disagree, a bouncing speedo needle is usually caused by a sticky speedometer cable or angle drive binding. Make sure they operate freely and are properly lubed. This is also the reason why the drive key gets twisted in up like a pretzel and breaks. I've never had a speedo bounce because of engine vibration, or even banging around the trails.

Jim

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:40 pm

I agree with your assesment if the sled is moving, but the poster said the needle was bouncing at idle, and the sled sitting still. I don't think I've ever seen a needle bounce at idle either.