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Gripper Install on 16+ Spindle

goridedoo

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Feb 8, 2010
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Installed Grippers on my 2016 M series today. There's many ways to do it, here's how I did it-

First you will need parts

There are tons of used/take off sets of grippers out there, but they go fast, so get on em. $175-$250 typically. They are available through the Polaris accessory catalog as well for $150 each without carbides. Should be lots of take offs available when snowchecks show up this fall.

Next you will need the spindle axles from a 12-15 M.

PN# 2603-813 $12 each
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Next up is the rubbers from a 12-15 M.

PN# 3604-237 $9 each
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The rubbers will need rows 2 and 4 of the nubs cut off. I used a side cutter, they dont need to be perfect.

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They should drop right in the ski now.

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Old skis will need to come off your sled, the bolts a 13mm, nuts a 15mm, the only thing you will be reusing is 1 spacer per spindle axle.

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You will no longer have the option to center your skis, they will either be wide or narrow. I went with the wide setting as this is the girlfriends sled.

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I inserted the stock bolt for the time being, it is too long. You will need to go to a hardware store and find a new metric bolt (10.9 or 8.8) along with 4 washers and a couple lock nuts, or you could reuse the washers and nuts if you would like.

Getting the bolt in the first side will be easy but getting through the other side will be tight. You will probably need to use a block and a prybar, or just get creative.

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Tighten your nuts up and you should be ready to rock.

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After selling your take off Proclimb 7 skis you should be in this for well under $100.

I would recommend going from carbides to wearbars if you don't do much trail riding. Get them through Woodys PN# HSP-1125- they are $35. Should save your garage, driveway, and trailer floors as well as decreasing the likelihood of bent parts on a rock, log, or stump hit. Only place I miss carbides is when I am trying to get turned around in the parking lot.

Well there it is all dumbed up for anyone unsure of what is needed and how it's done. Should be the same process on a 2018.



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Last edited:
M
Oct 4, 2015
538
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Montana
Question?

I have been considering Grippers for my '17 Mountain Cat with a centered ski stance of 36.5 ". What is the ski stance with the Polaris ski, either 35.5" or 37.5" ? Thanks for the great write-up & pictures.
 
A
Oct 30, 2008
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Good write up!
But, the cat rubbers doesnt hold up that well in the gripper saddle. Not enough support. I ended up with c&a rubbers a flatbar in the saddle and trimming the plastic.
Basicly you need more surface area under the rubber, otherwise the spindle will pinch the rubber.
Everything fits great mounted like you say though.

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MTN_VIPER

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Nov 26, 2007
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fourstrokesolutionsllc.com
Nice write up!
To help prolong the life of the rubber mounts, I made some shims out of a composite material. It's cheap, comes in a roll and is used to line yards/flower beds.
The upper larger shim is used to add a little tension to the rubber mount. This allows the skis to hang slightly with the tips up while the front end is hanging in the air.

composite shim size.jpg composite shims.jpg Stock Gripper saddle.jpg Modified Gripper saddle.jpg shims in place.jpg Upper composite shims.jpg
 
Last edited:

line8

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Nice write up!

To help prolong the life of the rubber mounts, I made some shims out of a composite material. It's cheap, comes in a roll and is used to line yards/flower beds.

The upper larger shim is used to add a little tension to the rubber mount. This allows the skis to hag slightly with the tips up while the front end is hanging in the air.



Good idea. I'll try this. I switch mine out 1-2x a season.


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goridedoo

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Feb 8, 2010
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I didn't realize there was so much work to it.. I literally just bolted them on.. Didn't cut, didn't buy anything special. been using them for 2 years now no issues.
Not sure how this would work with an axle and a bolt that are both about an inch too long :face-icon-small-con
 

Randy 09M8

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Question

If the gripper skis are so good,why are the Polaris guys taking them off.
 
M
Feb 7, 2009
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Wabush, Labrador
Not sure how this would work with an axle and a bolt that are both about an inch too long :face-icon-small-con

I used the stock mounting gear.

Randy, I have a Polaris as well.. I'm not taking my gripper off. Anyone who does must be looking for something completely different in a ski than what the majority of us are looking for. I love them.
 
B
Dec 21, 2013
24
4
3
I thought the Proclimb 7 was a big improvement over its predecessor. How much better are the Grippers?
I rode a friends sled with PC7's and thought they worked quite well. I was looking to upgrade to the PC7's on my 14 but now I'm not sure....
We ride open fields and some trails, but love finding deep snow...
Thank you to the original poster and others who contributed with details and pictures.
 
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goridedoo

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Feb 8, 2010
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I used the stock mounting gear.

Randy, I have a Polaris as well.. I'm not taking my gripper off. Anyone who does must be looking for something completely different in a ski than what the majority of us are looking for. I love them.

The stock mounting axles and bolts dont fit though. Your sled must be pre 2016.
 
M
Feb 7, 2009
1,142
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Wabush, Labrador
Ok, just realized what happened here.. I bought the 16 spindle for my 15.. Ya, my bad. I have the 16 style spindles taken off now, and I swap between my 8" sly dogs and grippers in minutes. I guess the stock 16 spindle comes with a really long axle because of the huge saddle in the stock skis.
 
M
Oct 4, 2015
538
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Montana
Skis?

Snowmobile.com really liked the'17 Yamaha mountain skis on the Pro-Climb chassis and recommended them for the Cats. Anyone tried them? I believe you lose 2" of width adjustment, but the spindle rubbers should be a good fit.:juggle:
 
J

Jooohan87

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Aug 28, 2011
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So, what is the best rubber for the gripper ski on proclimb 2016-> spindle?
Original?
C&a pro?
Anything else?
 

line8

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I have used the original(cat rubbers)but also have to replace a couple times a year. Because of that, there might be a better option.


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Last edited:
M
Oct 4, 2015
538
147
43
Montana
Skinz

Anyone tried the Skinz Polaris ski spindle pad? A bit pricey @ $69.99 a pair, but if they help the Polaris dampers hold up it saves wrench time/replacement costs; Just curious if they would be any benefit on the AC rubbers running the Gripper skis??
 

line8

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Feb 20, 2008
1,551
532
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West of East
Anyone tried the Skinz Polaris ski spindle pad? A bit pricey @ $69.99 a pair, but if they help the Polaris dampers hold up it saves wrench time/replacement costs; Just curious if they would be any benefit on the AC rubbers running the Gripper skis??



I edited my post above. Cat dampers is all I’ve used. Might be worth the added cost like you say.


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