Any tricks for easy Hifax replacement?

[davermk]

I was told to use Armorall to help the new ones slide on. As it will dry and act as a lube when wet and dry tight like glue. As for getting the old ones off im not sure of an easy way. other than pounding it off through the window of the track. any suggestions?

 

[boxster7614]

I just slide them out through the track windows. I work them out a little ways, far enough I can take a drill and drill a hole threw the old hifax so I can put a screwdriver in it. Then I can use the screwdriver as a handel and pull the highfax off. Last time I put them on I used a little soap and water to put them on. I think pretty much any liquid would work.

 

[raptobob]

If your fighting them just pull the whole skid out...only four bolts.

 

[skibreeze]

If your fighting them just pull the whole skid out...only four bolts.

If he is having a hard time with the hyfax, removing the skid bolts will really kick his azz.

I use a slide hammer screwed into the back of the hyfax. Make sure that you loosen the rear axle to get better access to the holes in the track.

 

[Creek Chub]

I was told to use Armorall to help the new ones slide on. As it will dry and act as a lube when wet and dry tight like glue. As for getting the old ones off im not sure of an easy way. other than pounding it off through the window of the track. any suggestions?

If you have an compressor and an air chissle they come off pretty easy. Use the chissle at an angle to the side of the hifax to push it back through the track window. Make sure you losen the track tension before starting.

or the install, dish soap and water works great. easy clean up....LOL

Not sure if you know it but there is a bolt / screw at the front tip of each rail and hifax. They are counter sunk into the hifax, don't forget to remove them. You can get to them by putting the sled on its side and lining up the track window with the bolt/screw.

 

[deere1]

You can also use a cold chisel and a hammer at an angle like stated above. You might also want to loosen up your track if it seems like it is hindering the process. Line up the hifax in a track window and tap it out. I use a pair of channel locks to pull it out the rest of the way. I have never used any lubrication to get them back in, but I guess it would help. The bolt that you need to remove is usually torx. Pretty easy job.

 

[CO 2.0]

To get them out I position a flat head screw driver between the and and the front rail tip to get some leverage in there (after taking the set screw out). Then I just take a big pry bar and use the side of it to push the hyfax out through the rear track window.

I also found it easier to take the hyfax out of the rear track window when the sled is sitting normal and not on its side. When its on its side the rear skid wants to drop down which causes the hyfax to not line up in the track window. Much easier to do with the sled sitting normal with the track off the ground.

You want to position the hifax perfect with both hands when sliding them on or they can "catch" on the rails and dig into the material. Sometimes it takes some wiggling of the hyfax to feed in smooth without catching. Tapping the end with a rubber mallet will help with the process if the hyfax starts to get tough to push on in the last 12" or so. I also use hot soapy water to aid the ease of sliding them on.

 

[jocko]

wd40, spray slicone, stuff like that works great when reinstalling. I made a homemade slide hammer to pull hyfax off with. works great

 

[suitcase]

Ive tryed all of these methods and I must say there is no real easy way. All work just takes time and a good armstrong hammer. LOL

 

[fordpickupman]

pull it

I pull the skid out so that I can inspect the suspension and make sure that none of the welds are broke or breaking. Stuff breaks and you can't always see it when it is up in the tunnel. Just my $.02.

 

[eidem024]

i use a pair of vice grips and lock them onto the hyfax. Then take and hit them with a hammer, works quite well