97 Powder Extreme Suspension

[snowfish]

My 97 Powder Extreme (Cougar on steroids) has a pretty stiff ride, even when adjusted to the lowest setting. I weigh 225lbs so one would thing it would be pretty soft on the first click. I replaced the shock last season which made it worse. The old one was so shot that there was little to no dampening action.

My thought now is to move the rear skid links forward to take some of the spring tension off.

Seems like an easy enough adjustment. Now when I sit down, it barely sinks at all. The 98 ZR, in the background, settles down nicely, even on the second click, and rides like a dream compared to the 97.

Has anybody experimented with the old cats? Any and all recommendations and thoughts are welcomed. Thanks.

 

[mezz]

Are you sure something isn't seized up? Try cleaning up & greasing the skid, looks kind of crusty. It shouldn't be as tight as you are explaining it to be. I don't think you are going to get the result you are looking for by moving the link forward. Keep in mind, the Powder Special does not have the same travel as the '98 which has the Long Travel suspension which is a softer ride.-Mezz

 

[snowfish]

I suppose I should clean up the outside so it’s as clean as the inside. It’s loose and well greased. Pull the springs and it will collapse like a house of cards. I may have to find a couple year(s) newer 136 skid. 1998 appears to be the first year that the OffSet Idlers were use on the Idler Arms. I’ll bet that’s the difference. Thanks Mezz. I’m going out now to see if my plan has any merit. Otherwise I’ll leave it until I can find a newer skid or an idler arm with the offsets and bushings.

 

[snowfish]

Sorry to bother you all. It is what it is. Need a different skid. Going to post in the wanted to buy. Thanks for looking. And I'll sand and paint everything before the reassembly.

 

[hondo]

All you need is to move it to the forward hole you got it right. See your other sled in the background the arm is standing straight up easier to bend. when leaning forward like now it has to move back before bending. On a long track you can even lean the arm back but at 225 lbs you will need the triangle block up at 3 at least

 

[mezz]

There is still not a lot of travel in that suspension compared to the later suspensions which offer a longer travel. Keep in mind as well, the stock springs are only rated for an operator max of 190lb which is not stated anywhere in the manual, however, I have learned this from my dealer. Nonetheless, the issue here is not the springs, but the travel in this suspension. Moving the link forward may provide a little more mobility, it is still not going to be a "soft" ride, it just was not designed that way.-Mezz

 

[snowfish]

Hondo, thanks for the encouragement. I'll make the move and see what happens.

Thanks Mezz, too, for taking the time to share. I know it's never going to ride like a ZR. Just want to see if we can make it just a little better.

Hopefully business will pick up soon. Then I can pick up a F7, Saber, or similar. Then all this will be just another chapter of the past. Cheers