1st-time Ski Doo owner - darting issue

**Chopper** · 12-31-2007, 09:53 AM

recently purchased a used, 2005 MXZ 550f, it is equipped with the Camoplast blow molded ski. Tried new carbides (someone recommended), but still experiencing serious darting problems

front shocks are not adjustable, so any other thoughts/ideas/recommendations? Greatly appreciate informed responses from anyone out there with experience on this sled or similar.

Thanks in advance.
Chopper

**revrider19** · 12-31-2007, 11:05 AM

just wondering do those ski's have dual carbides ? have you checked the alignment on your ski's ? toe in . if single carbides how long are they ? 4" 6" etc etc . front end pretty tight ? one loose tie rod or ball joint would make a serious dart issue . i have a dual carbide ski's on my skidoo and it still darts now and again . on my arctic i put "dually's" on it and it seemed to help . hopfully this helped a little . i would say seriouly check the front end for wear !

**AlumaDoo** · 12-31-2007, 11:45 AM

Try adjusting (softening) the front shock, (underneath). Make sure your overall suspension is set up right. When you plant your butt on the seat the sled should squat about 2-3 inches. Make adjustments to correct that first by adjusting the shocks and spring underneath. See if you're missing an adjustment in the ski shocks, if so, soften them up too. This will give you more "steerability." (check your belt guard or owners manual for guidelines on suspension set up) Don't forget, snow conditions obviously play a part in it all too
Good luck

**Chopper** · 01-01-2008, 08:54 AM

thanks for the replies...
the front shocks are not the adjustable type
as for setup, unfortunately I did not receive an owners' manual with the sled

I do see that the front rear shock (front track shock) IS adjustable, so wondering how to set this up? I do appreciate the input, I'll try the dealer also, but his first reply was "try new carbides"...which I put new 4" on. Will check the ski alignment next (how much off from parallel should they be?)

Thanks again!

**revrider19** · 01-01-2008, 12:50 PM

that the shock and other other adjustments are on the belt cover ? mine is. as for the toe in and out i am looking for my manual as we speek . anyone correct me if i am wrong but mine is set at 1/8 to 1/4 toe in just went to the shop and checked. the front end was tight then ?

**AlumaDoo** · 01-01-2008, 06:01 PM

It's awful odd that you can't adjust your ski suspension, especialy on an '05 sled! It should have a collar at the bottom of the spring, that you rotate with a spanner wrench that adds or reduces the down force of the spring to the ski. Your tool kit would have the spanner wrench in it. The same thing should be on the front shock underneath. ??? My '02 MXZ 500 has this style set up, maybe the '05's changed. ??? The other suspension adjustments are made at your main spring with a square cam that can get rotated to add or reduce spring pressure.

**Joe Pellar** · 01-23-2009, 10:30 AM

All single runner/carbide ski's wobble all over the place. A double runner/carbide ski will completely stop that from occurring. There is a company that makes them, but I can't remember the name. The runners are on both outsides of the ski, which leaves a double carbide track on each side.
Ask your local dealer the company name.

**spike** · 01-23-2009, 11:04 AM

I wouldn't doubt anyones owners manuel, but i've worked on sleds for years for a living and never heard of one being toed in. Just my opinion though. That should be a great sled, don't bum out yet, i'm sure it's something simple.

**spike** · 02-06-2009, 06:17 AM

I don't know if you have figured this out or if you frequent this site anymore, but i've been doing some research on 550 Rev fans and sounds like everyone with the 05 and the ski you stated is having the same issues. Looks like some newer skis may be the way to go.

**Howler** · 02-06-2009, 09:00 AM

Darting usually comes from too much ski pressure. The key is SMALL steps to correct it. I would start by checking your rear suspension blocks. How much spring pressure are they set to. Second, check to see how tight your limiter straps are. The more that they are pulled down, the more ski pressure you will have. Thirdly, try adjusting that front spring in the rear skid. Do it carefully, as it can really screw with the center of gravity on the sled & really throw it out of wack.

If you have scales, you can measure the amount of ski pressure you have on the front vs the rear skid. This will also help you to dial in and ballance the sled. I try to run about 2 deg of toe out on the skis. May cut a hair off of top end, but helps to eliminate potential darting as well.