2000 MXZ 440 toe-in?

T

tomfg

Free Member

Jan 3, 2017

6

0

1

• Feb 2, 2019

• #1

The subject sled wears me out trying to keep it going straight
down the trail. I tried setting the ski toe-in last year, but either
I did it wrong, or was told the wrong setting.

Anyone know the setting on this sled, and what's the best method
to adjust the toe in?
Should I hoist both skis off the ground some how?
Do you measure from front and back of the wear rods, or how?
Thanks for any tips!

 

B

Betterview

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Mar 16, 2008

234

88

28

73

Central Minnesota

• Feb 2, 2019

• #2

To set ski alignment gently pull the front of the skis together to remove any slack, Then you want some toe out, a quarter inch or a bit more. lay a board along the track and make sure the skis align with the track.

It may be you have a suspension setting problem.. Too much weight on your skis will make a sled handle terribly. Loosen the ski spring tension, tighten the front track spring, or loosen the the rear track springs. If too much of the weight is carried on the skis and the rear of the track you will have an ill handling machine.

 

T

tomfg

Free Member

Jan 3, 2017

6

0

1

• Feb 3, 2019

• #3

Toe-out

Thanks for your reply Betterview!
I never thought about the track
weight distribution, but I watched
a YouTube video last night that
mentioned the same thing, and using
a straight edge along the track on each
side, to set each ski's toe-out individually
about 1/8", hence about 1/4" toe-out in total
between the two skis.
I've never messed with the track spring
tension, but presume I just need to "turn"
something. Will check it out today.
Thanks!

 

T

tomfg

Free Member

Jan 3, 2017

6

0

1

• Feb 3, 2019

• #4

"Darting"

I tinkered with the ski alignment and sled weight distribution today,
and it's a LOT better. The right ski was real close to 1/8" toe out,
but the left ski was "dead ahead".

Not sure what the manufacture had in mind saying 1/8" toe-out,
as it would be a lot more if one could calculate from the back of the
ski vs. the tip of the ski measurements.

My 1/8" toe-out was in a distance on each side of the spindle, of about 12" total. That space of 12" was the only way I could find something accurate to measure against. Is this okay?

Regarding the weight distribution to get more weight off the front end,
the rear spring tension was as loose as one could set it, but I tightened
the front shock adjustment one notch tighter. I didn't touch the ski coil
spring adjustments, as the ride seems stiff enough for these old bones already!

After the adjustments, I took the sled out on some well used trails, and didn't feel my life was in jeopardy at 40 mph as it was previously!

FYI, in case anyone else is going through the same things, I found two good articles on Dennis Kirk regarding setting up the suspension, and "darting" problems.

Thanks for the help!

 

B

Betterview

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Mar 16, 2008

234

88

28

73

Central Minnesota

• Feb 3, 2019

• #5

If the ride is stiff you will benefit from loosening the ski springs. Taking weight off the skis will also really help with darting.

 

T

tomfg

Free Member

Jan 3, 2017

6

0

1

• Feb 3, 2019

• #6

Darting to and fro

I was afraid if I loosened up the springs on the skis for a cushier ride, that I would put more weight back on the skis, and increase "darting" again, but perhaps not?

 

B

Betterview

Well-known member

Lifetime Membership

Mar 16, 2008

234

88

28

73

Central Minnesota

• Feb 3, 2019

• #7

Loosening the ski springs takes weight off the skis.

 

T

tomfg

Free Member

Jan 3, 2017

6

0

1

• Feb 4, 2019

• #8

Ski coil springs

I was wondering if by loosening the ski springs, if the weight of center of the sled would pivot more toward the front of the machine.
I'll loosen mine up before the next ride and see what happens.
Does Skidoo have a special spanner wrench for the spring adjusters?
It was rather awkward using a pipe wrench to adjust the track spring!

 

R

Rick E

Free Member

Nov 16, 2016

350

164

43

75

• Feb 7, 2019

• #9

tomfg said:

I was wondering if by loosening the ski springs, if the weight of center of the sled would pivot more toward the front of the machine.
I'll loosen mine up before the next ride and see what happens.
Does Skidoo have a special spanner wrench for the spring adjusters?
It was rather awkward using a pipe wrench to adjust the track spring!

Click to expand...

Look in your OEM tool kit. You should have the correct spanner wrench!

 

D

Devilmanak

Well-known member

Premium Member

Dec 12, 2007

4,982

2,193

113

52

Donnelly, ID

• Dec 8, 2019

• #10

All good replies. If you have any toe in, it will dart and be sketchy. When adjusting toe, don't forget to put a bungie cord between the ski loops to remove any slop prior to measuring. Removing ski pressure by loosening coil preload will lighten steering but is just a band-aid to improper steering adjustment.

 

B

BBP

Free Member

Sep 24, 2009

605

136

43

Yakima Wa

• Dec 18, 2019

• #11

Simmons skis work extremely well on that chassis. Gets rid of almost all darting.