Any switch the 08-10 steering/spindles to 05-07 stuff?

[GlennRMK]

Anyone switch the 08-10 steering/spindles to 05-07 stuff?

I know in 08 they switched the steering and spindles.

I personally liked the steering on my 06 M7 (K-Mod rear skid) a lot better then the steering on my 09 M8.

Same skis(Powder Pros) and the 09 steers much harder. It also seems the rear skid doesn't help as it transfers less.

I personally would rather turn easier then sharper. I have noticed a difference in turning radius, but I don't know if its worth it.

So, what parts would be required besides the spindles?

Anyone done it?

Results?

 

[Big Dawg 51]

steering

We found out about the difference when we went the opposite direction, we updated a 2006 m7 to 2008 steering to get the extra turning radius, and immediately noticed how much harder it was to turn. I believe you can pick up a set of 05-07 spindles, and can be mounted without any other changes. My dad has also done some grinding to in a couple spots to gain some more turning radius.

If you send "Bills R.E. Repair" a pm, he will be able to tell you more specifically. He is my dad, and ordered the parts, and did the work to make it work.

Hope this helps. I bought your speedwerx pipe off your old m7, and love it.

Thanks.

 

[GlennRMK]

Is it really just the spindles or is it part of the steering rack that makes it harder to turn. I noticed different part #s for basically the whole steering assembly

 

[Bearcat]

The biggest difference is in the spindles. I compared my CF 7 SP -06 and pal's M1000 -09 steering systems and noticed all other measures are almost the same. But those spindle parts where tie rods attach to are noticeable shorter. So by swapping the spindles you gain quite much. Actually you only need the parts where tie rods attach to but they are welded tightly in newer cats

I did the compare as I'd like to get shorter turning radius. It's needed in tight trees.

 

[GlennRMK]

Back to the top

Going to pick up an 11 m8.

I already found a used set of 07 spindles. Bought them. Came with tie rods.

What other parts do I need?

Do I need the rod ends that go on the inside end of the tie rod?

I talked to someone about this last year, but sold my 09 and didn't end up doing it. Now I can't remember what had to be done.

 

[GlennRMK]

Anyone?

 

[geo]

As far as I remember the spindle change came with the 800`s, `07 and on.
M7`s had the more straight up and down spindles for a quicker steering responce. Some complained of too quick and hard steering so Cat changed to a more laided out spindle to ease a bit of steering effort caused by the heavier engine.

I put the M7 spindles (just spindles) on the `07 800 (hardest steering M sled for me) but haven`t felt the need since `09.

As for turning radius, grind the spindle arm stops on any year `til the steering shaft stops on the tunnel touch (you have to grind the upper a-arm bolt on the spindle too).
You`ll then have the tightest turning radius in the industry.

Geo

 

[GlennRMK]

05-07 are the same

08 and up are the same

The steering arms on the spindle are much shorter on the 08 and up. This results in more steering effort. The rack and bell cranks are a little different but I'm interested to see the difference.

I may grind on the steering stops to get a tighter turning radius.

 

[geo]

I'm sorry I thought you were talking about the caster. The caster is steeper on the M7 spindles and the 800 spindles are all the same (what ever the part numbers say).
The little arms did change in '08 to lighter and "rarely plug with snow design", but the heaviest steering sled for me was still the '07 800.

Geo

 

[Frostbite]

Guys, so can one swap the spindles and nothing else and get easier steering on the 08 and new sleds?

Or, do you need to buy new steering arms or anything else as well?

What do you lose by doing so, a little ability to turn as tighly? It sounds like you can trim the steering stops a bit and get nearly as sharp of turning with much less steering effort.

 

[GlennRMK]

You do need the spindle side tie rod ends.

You also want to cut about 5/16" of an inch off the tie rods.

My 07 spindles are at my powder coater. I will post pictures when I get everything back and together on my 2011, which should be before Christmas.

I ground the stops on mine to turn a little sharper.

I think someone said the 08-11 spindles turn 7 deg sharper. It is noticeable when the two sleds are side by side, but how often is that big deal???

I guess occasionally I'm on some really tight woods horse trails were it might make a slight difference, but I don't know that I would notice. I'm usually countersteering and/or leaning and playing in the powder anyways!

I hate the steering effort on mine, especially with the Powder Pros. But with the stock skis you can't turn, so I'm trying to get the best of both worlds.

 

[Frostbite]

I rode my daugter's 05 M5 today and I was shocked at how much easier it steered than my 09 M8.

Yes, If I can get a couple more degrees of steering angle out of the older spindles, it would be a done deal.

Glen RMK, I will send you a PM for specifics.