Can someone explain skid suspension to a dummy?

lloydguy

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As per title I just want someone to explain the basic's of skid suspension to me.
I have an extra 10 in my 98 indy trail and it doesn't rebound all the way back to the
top after you push down on it.Does the front and rear springs combined "hold the riders
weight" and the shocks just control the rate of speed the suspension goes to the bottom
and returns to the top so to speek?
With a 200 pound rider my sled drops about 5" from the top.What parts do I need to change?
Thank's
 

teeroy

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your understanding of how the suspension works seems fine to me. sounds like you just need some stiffer springs, usually the rears bear most of the rider weight.
 

lloydguy

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That rear plastic block thing (that changes the preload range) is in the highest position.
My uncle is going to Rec.supply this weekend for afew things,and those rear springs show
on there site as a still available part#.I'll maybe get him to pick me up a set.I think they are
$24 each.My front skid shock spring is in the second highest position,I suppose I can bump
it up to the last cog and see what that changes.
 

lloydguy

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The front skid shock with the coil spring on it,Is that mostly for soaking up the impact
of bumps,and the rear spring on each side of the tunnel "hold's"the riders weight ?
Is that roughly correct?
I haven't found anyone that carry's a replacement spring for the front of the skid,so I
hope buying 2 new springs for the rear of the skid helps in my saggy suspension problem.
 

retiredpop

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You are correct. The front skid shock serves two purposes. It takes the initial impact and also determines to an extent how much weight goes on the skis. If the shock is mounted in the top hole more of the machine weight is supported by the skid and less by the skis but it will ride a bit rougher too in that setting. The rear supports rider weight.
I was going to recommend you buy the heavier rear springs from Polaris ( part # 7041465-067 and 7041466-067 because they are .437 wire diameter/77 degree) but after checking the price I would not as they are $125 apiece from Polaris. I checked Royal Distributing and they list their springs as .437 wire diameter and they are $30 apiece. Hopefully the Rec Supply springs are the .437 wire diameter as well. Looks like the standard spring that came on the sled originally was .421 wire diameter.
If you haven't done so you should take the skid out of the sled and remove the cross shafts, run something through the tubes they are in to clean out all the old caked grease. Grease everything and reinstall. I have found that the grease nipples don't push grease to both ends of the shafts all the time.
 
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