joetroop30

sled is a 2003 RMK700. The rubber piece that sits under the spindle, and on top of the ski, got knocked out of place (no idea how that happened, didn't notice it until a few months ago). I tried yesterday to take the ski off so I could put the rubber piece back in it's correct position.

The bolt that holds the ski to the spindle will not come out. I can get the nut off easily enough, but the ski bolt will not budge. At first I tried hitting it with a hammer and punch, so I wouldn't damage the threads. Then I put a flat bar against the end of the bolt (against the threaded end) and attached two clamps to either side of the ski and tried pulling it out that way, without any success. Finally I tried just started whacking on the bolt with a hammer, thinking what the hell I'll just buy a new bolt, and the thing still won't budge. I can't believe the bolt is bent since it sits inside of the end of the spindle.

RJ Gleason

It is corroded to the shim inside, plenty of patience and PB will get it out or just cut it off.

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'93 Wildcat 700EFI
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'90 Wildcat Project in progress.

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1980 Indy Trail 440 (for sale)
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joetroop30

PB?? So just keep whacking on it with a hammer?

1on3off

Spray some PB on it and let it soak for a day or so.


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ExciterRob

"PB" is PB Blaster penetrating oil. PB, Triflow, Justice Brothers. Any of those pentrating oils work well. Also, a little bit of propane torch heat before the oil applition will help to draw the oil into the joint. Don't heat it to cherry red, just a little past the point of being to warm to hold in your hand. It may take 3 - 4 rounds of this over a couple days.

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'98 Polaris Indy 500 (New Ride)
'87 Yamaha Bravo (Now in KCCats Family)
'78 Polaris TXL-340 (Always in progress)
'89 A/C Eltgre' EXT 530 (My Sled... Now sold )
'73 A/C Cheetah 440 (Now w/ my Nephew)
'90 A/C Prowler w/ '96 580 skid (My oldest boys ride)

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joetroop30

Thanks for the advice, will give it a shot.

BC_Dan

Sometimes those can be a real bear. I have had to take a hacksaw and slide it between the ski and spindle and cut the dang bolt off, then used a punch and hammer to get the rest out. I have seen some that were frozen so bad that the spindle had to be removed and the part pressed out in a press.

I now remove my skis once a year and grease the bolt. A grease fitting would be nice. They had 'em on the Indys.

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2007 Dragon RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650, Really OLD AC Cheetah

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joetroop30

Well I got the thing out with a little help from a torch and some penetrating oil. The bolt was rusted to the bushing inside the spindle. The bushing itself wasn't rusted though-different metals maybe? I cleaned all of the rust off of the bolt, greased it and the bushing and reinstalled. As BC Dan said I think this will now be a part of my yearly maintenance.

JheLrey

I just grease them heavily and I do turn the bolt every so often by hand.

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no74falcon

Is the bushing aluminum? Nothing worse than steel inside aluminum. For some reason, Automatic Transmission Fluid seems to work well in those applications, nothing special, any cheap old DEXRON should do it. Just for future reference.

JD8345RT

I spent so much time and effort trying to get a ski bolt out of my XLT...I'm positive it had not been apart in there since the thing was new. Put it in in a hydraulic press, bent the ski saddle around the hole and still the bolt did not budge. Ended up cutting the spindle out of the ski! Needless to say the new bolt and bushing were WELL-greased when they went in the new spindle.

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1993 Polaris XLT Special
1979 Arctic Cat El Tigre
1972 Arctic Cat Panther