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Rear Suspension on 99 Mach Z

6K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  01MXZ800 
#1 ·
I have a few questions for the Tech's

I have a 1999 Mach Z 800 that I bought last year. It has about 5,500 miles and runs strong. After putting the sled away for the summer, I noticed that the rear suspension had no oomph. There was no bounce in the rear, like the springs gave out and the rear of the tunnel dropped toward the ground. I never noticed this condition while riding. My first thought was the rear HPG shock, but now am thinking that it may be the rear coil springs or maybe somthing went wrong with the ACM. Any ideas?

Also, assuming that the sled suspension components are original, would it make sense to change the rear shock anyways? While down there, should I change the 2 springs as well? Then what about the center shock and spring?

It looks like changing the rear shocks and coil springs wouldn't be that difficult. What about changing out the middle shock/spring? Is that an easy change out? Do I need any special tools to remove/install? I'm assuming that I wouldn't have to remoove the track to install the rear or middle shocks, am I correct?

Any recommendations on a manufacturer/supplier for the shocks/springs?

Thanks all...
 
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#2 ·
loosen up the track remove 4 bolts and remove the rear suspension from sled, with the skid out of the sled you can go over entire suspension and easily replace worn/broken components. hope this helps.
 
#3 ·
Dealer update

I discussed the issue with a local dealer and he asked why I would want to change out the rear shocks. He said that the Ski-doo shocks don't go bad unless you see oil leaking from them. He recommended only replacing the rear coil springs and leaving the shocks as is (unless I wanted to spend a heap of cash). It seems to make sense to me since the shocks don't hold the rear end up, they only dampen the movement of the suspension. What do you folks think?
 
#4 ·
I have an 01 mxz adrenaline 700 and came back to the forum to ask this very same question. My sled has about 5000 miles on it as well. This past winter it seemed like my suspension died on me. It won't rebound like it use to. Doesn't cushion very well. Seems like everything is compressed when I'm sitting on it. I changed the front gas shock on it, but this didn't really seam to help either. I would like to go to an m-10, but would be happy to repair mine in the meantime. I guess I could pull the suspension out again and check for busted springs or anything else obvious. The system isn't very complexed. This should be an easy fix.
 
#5 ·
its the springs. Pulling the suspension and replacing parts and slides thought would be a good idea. shocks, prob not. Grease all zerks while at it. this is just genral maintenace. :)


dano
 
#6 ·
Followup #2

Yep, I think it's the springs. I called another dealer and he agreed that the rear springs were the problem. However, he did say that the rear shock does take a beating and may require a change. He said the middle shock rarely goes bad since it doesn't take the brunt of the bounce. He mentioned that some of the Ski-doo rear OEM shocks were rebuildable (I was not aware of that). I ordered 2 new springs and plan on a little garage play in the next few days.
 
#9 ·
followup #3

Well, I had a few spare hours and tore out my suspension. This was a virgin activity for me. It wasn't too tough - a track loosening , 4 bolts and a bit of muscle. With the suspension out, it seemend like the ACM mecanism (that little mechanical thingy just behind the rear shock) was getting hung up. After jumping on the suspension a few times, I broke it loose.
As I had mentioned before, the dealer told me that they rarely change the rear OEM shock because it just doesn't go bad like the aftermarket shocks. He told me to check it - if you push it in and it has constsnt resistance, then releases at a constant rate when you let go, it's good. Mine was good.
This was a good time to grease all of the fittings suspension and check the hyfax. I had a dealer replace my hyfax last year so I figured they were still good. However the bottom of the hyfax had big chunks taken out of them (you probably would not see this without pulling the suspension off). What I noticed was that there were a few track clips that were bent up, hence digging into the hyfax. I'll have to straighten these out as well.
Since I have already bought the coil springs, I'll go ahead and change them out. I'm interested to place the new ones next to the old ones to see if there any real deformation with the old springs.
Putting the suspension looks like it will be a bit more difficult. I'm told (again by the dealer) to compress the suspension, then tie it together in the compressed state, then install it. Otherwise, it will get hung up on all of the track lugs, wheels, etc.
I'll let you all know how it goes.

Just another question, though. Now that I'm this far, how difficult would it be to replace the track? It looks like I would have to remove the drive spindle under the engine, inside the tunnel. How do you do this, and how difficult of a task is this?
Thanks...
 
#10 ·
You will hav e to drain the chain case, remove the gears. (It is best to remove the pipe and silencer to get at the gears better. just makes it easier) then go to the other side and remove the speedometer cable. I remove the secoundary as well. again just makes it easier. remeber how the spacers are in there and replace them exactly as they come out. No you are ready to muscle the drive shaft out and replace the track. Not too technical just a little labor intensive.

With the new track just repeat the proces in revers. While you are under there check out the bearing on the drive shaft just to make sure it spins freely.

good luck

dano
 
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