Weak shocks on the Hardcores

[Dawizman]

There have been quite a few of the new Hardcores that have reported issues with the center shock being too weak, and causing the front of the rail to hit the limiter strap bolt on the top. Same issue the 19 Alphas had when there wasn't enough pressure in the center float. I can't take credit for the discovery, 06yamahaapex brought it to my attention. I suggest any hardcore owner to have a look at their rails for damages, and take preventative action. At the very least, crank the center shock to #3, and set the preload to max, and lighten up the rear shock.

I sent my shock off to Nextech for a revalve. He was aware of the issue, and had a solution already. He is bringing in some new springs as well to complement the revalve, but assured me it will work with the stock spring for the time being. That being said, the stock spring is too large in diameter and rubs on the reservoir if the preload isn't maxed. The new spring will fix that too.

Here's a couple pics of the issue on two different sleds. Half a dozen sleds I'm aware of in total, however i suspect that it affects all of them. My dealer put a claim in with cat, as have the other 5 guys, but no real solution yet from them. I have heard that one for sure was getting a new shock sent out, however unless it has been revalved accordingly there will be no difference in my opinion.

$120 for a revalve is worth not busting the rail to me. How about you?

I have also heard the fronts are pretty weak as well. I can't say for sure yet, as I haven't put any miles on the sled, but I will find out this week. I have a feeling i may be sending the other three out for the Nextech touch as well.

 

[E-Zmoke]

Great post, I will be checking my limiter strap bolt, and turning it around or changing the bolt as required.

Canada Sled Parts has come out with a front brace for the Rail. I think I will be adding the brace to my build list.

I will be calling Nextech tmrrw for some more info on the spring upgrade he is talking about.

We used to put the 180lbs zbroz spring on the sidewinder. Not sure what the ID is and if it will work with these fox shocks or not but I will call ZBROZ tmrrw and see what they have in the works for a spring upgrade and if the 180lbs spring we used to use will work or not.

Arctic cat does have different heavier springs available to order. Not sure how many they have but I’ll call about that as well but if the spring is hitting the reservoir then a cat/fox spring won’t really be the answer here

Hmmm!?

 

[E-Zmoke]

1704-236 is what is currently on the sled

110lbs spring is a HUGE mistake that is wayyyy to light for any riders under the 200lbs mark let alone anyone under the 250 mark. It’s a tough thing to make a stock shock work for 170lbs rider to 270lbs rider but a front spring that won’t work for either weight class is not good. I understand what they were trying to do as the lighter a front spring is the easier it is to get on edge within theroy however, there is other ways of doing this. Double and triple rate springs work wonders here as you can back off all the pre load and have a soft start and hard finish rate on the spring.

 

[skegpro]

Nextech is the way to go for this fix. I have full confidence in them boys.

 

[06yamahaapex]

I went with the 2704-229 it’s a duel rate 160/250lb. I can’t post a pic without it being turned sideways. But it doesn’t hit the canister with preload on soft. Not sure what it will do when compressed. Also Nextech is revalving my shock tomorrow.

 

[kylekk]

I went with the 2704-229 it’s a duel rate 160/250lb. I can’t post a pic without it being turned sideways. But it doesn’t hit the canister with preload on soft. Not sure what it will do when compressed. Also Nextech is revalving my shock tomorrow.

here’s a pic with the 229 spring on

 

[Dawizman]

I'll have my shock back on Tuesday. Will let you guys know how things look once it's back in.

Tyler mentioned bringing in springs right from Fox, but didn't give any other details. I'll see if I can get some more info on that as well.

 

[Kibbels]

Yup... I had Tyler revalve mine a week ago! Night & day just waiting on my 229...
The tip brace is a bandaid for shock problem or lack of air on 19’s ... I won’t be putting one on.

 

[E-Zmoke]

Yup... I had Tyler revalve mine a week ago! Night & day just waiting on my 229...
The tip brace is a bandaid for shock problem or lack of air on 19’s ... I won’t be putting one on.

Well I guess Tyler’s going to be a busy man now isn’t he!?? I’m shipping him my whole set of shocks today. Hoping for a faster rebound stack or even a rebound adjustment put on the fronts would just be the cats ass. I will be happy if he can get these shocks dialed in for me otherwise I will be selling the complete set and putting some exit or raptors on. Not impressed with the 110lbs front spring and the rebound on these fronts.

 

[LMLCHEVY]

Does he feel changes are needed for the rear skid valving also?

Funny cat can offer different springs, but not a tool to adjust them. Even when it clearly states in the operators manual to use the one in the toolkit-that doesn’t exist.

 

[Bnorth]

here’s a pic with the 229 spring on

Does he feel changes are needed for the rear skid valving also?

Funny cat can offer different springs, but not a tool to adjust them. Even when it clearly states in the operators manual to use the one in the toolkit-that doesn’t exist.

Man you're sour about the spring spanner. I see one posted above and it even looks like the PN# is readable.

 

[kylekk]

Man you're sour about the spring spanner. I see one posted above and it even looks like the PN# is readable.

It’s not the correct spanner. I made it work for the spring swap. Motion pro has an adjustable one that would work better.

 

[Ewaschuk]

Well I guess Tyler’s going to be a busy man now isn’t he!?? I’m shipping him my whole set of shocks today. Hoping for a faster rebound stack or even a rebound adjustment put on the fronts would just be the cats ass. I will be happy if he can get these shocks dialed in for me otherwise I will be selling the complete set and putting some exit or raptors on. Not impressed with the 110lbs front spring and the rebound on these fronts.

Let me know how it goes. I had to replace a shaft and a cap and now my 3 position switch is useless. I have firm and bottom out with my 150lbs standing on it from there and he seems to think this is fine ����‍

 

[Dawizman]

Let me know how it goes. I had to replace a shaft and a cap and now my 3 position switch is useless. I have firm and bottom out with my 150lbs standing on it from there and he seems to think this is fine ����‍

I just put a hard week on mine, and it worked beautifully! A couple 10ft drops, and lots of creeks, and zero issues. I highly recommended Tyler. He knows what he's doing without a doubt.

 

[LMLCHEVY]

Good to know. Mine went in the mail today to him. Doing the revalve and getting the 137lb springs he ordered in put on as well.

Spring was cranked up and still hit the reservoir. Good work Cat!!

 

[LMLCHEVY]

Man you're sour about the spring spanner. I see one posted above and it even looks like the PN# is readable.

It’s just the principle of the thing that pisses me off so much.

 

[acesup800]

Would this not be a Fox issue? The non-hardcore models with the Fox QS3 floats to my knowledge are perfectly fine. Did Fox put out a bunch of crappy shocks?

 

[lilduke]

Would this not be a Fox issue? The non-hardcore models with the Fox QS3 floats to my knowledge are perfectly fine. Did Fox put out a bunch of crappy shocks?

they are made to factory specs and price point.

you aren't getting a top of the line fox shock. you get a cheap version of it...

 

[skegpro]

#softcore

 

[Ewaschuk]

Well I guess Tyler’s going to be a busy man now isn’t he!?? I’m shipping him my whole set of shocks today. Hoping for a faster rebound stack or even a rebound adjustment put on the fronts would just be the cats ass. I will be happy if he can get these shocks dialed in for me otherwise I will be selling the complete set and putting some exit or raptors on. Not impressed with the 110lbs front spring and the rebound on these fronts.

have you thought about trying Zbro dual spring rate kit for the fronts?