Strong Farmer Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 I just bought a used snowmobile from a Polaris dealer. 2023 Polaris adventure 137. A friend mentioned it has rusty torsion springs in pics. Would you work out something with dealer to get them changed out? Is it a safety concern? They claim it's just cosmetic but said they re look at it and get back to me about out. Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoney Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 Like rust on the lower arm of the torsion spring where it slides back and fourth on the block at the rail or rusted on the entire spring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 9 Author Share Posted April 9 47 minutes ago, stoney said: Like rust on the lower arm of the torsion spring where it slides back and fourth on the block at the rail or rusted on the entire spring? Rusted on top of torsion spring. Arm looks ok from pics I can see. One sides rusted and other side ok. No other visible rust on sled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
signfan Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 Congrats on the new sled!!! Better post some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMSOMAIR Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 I spray my entire skid down with fogging oil every spring before they go to sleep. 2008 Apex with 32000kms no rust, 1990 Phazer with 24000kms no rust, 2016 Viper and the SRX the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 9 Author Share Posted April 9 45 minutes ago, RAMSOMAIR said: I spray my entire skid down with fogging oil every spring before they go to sleep. 2008 Apex with 32000kms no rust, 1990 Phazer with 24000kms no rust, 2016 Viper and the SRX the same. I know my 2017 skidoo has no rust either. I am just trying to figure out if it's normal for a sled with 1794 kms to have rusty springs its a 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledguy74 Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 No rust on my 2022 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslowsledder Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 1 hour ago, Strong Farmer said: I know my 2017 skidoo has no rust either. I am just trying to figure out if it's normal for a sled with 1794 kms to have rusty springs its a 2023 No, either it's a quality issue or the sled was put away wet and salty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunz Posted April 9 Share Posted April 9 It’s a sled that’s lived outside and or trailered in a open deck, I’d be looking at it very closely before you finalize the deal, idler wheels, etc, ask to see pics under the hood and if there’s any service records on it. And if there’s any warranty left on it. I’ve never seen a sled that new with rusted torsion springs like that before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderman Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 Rust should tell you something. It would bother me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 11 minutes ago, Spiderman said: Rust should tell you something. It would bother me. Spring is replaceable. Nothing else appears rusted in pics except that spring. Just one side too. I just have to go for a drive and if I don't like it, I buy plan b sled new on way home. Looks fine otherwise except guage has some water spots on it. Not sure if that's permanent or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoney Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 3 hours ago, oldslowsledder said: No, either it's a quality issue or the sled was put away wet and salty 2 hours ago, Nunz said: It’s a sled that’s lived outside and or trailered in a open deck, I’d be looking at it very closely before you finalize the deal, idler wheels, etc, ask to see pics under the hood and if there’s any service records on it. And if there’s any warranty left on it. I’ve never seen a sled that new with rusted torsion springs like that before. Yep, sign of possible other issues related to not taken care of all that well. we have all seen those sleds towed down the highway with no cover or left parked in the yard for the entire off season, on grass no doubt and with no cover. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PISTON LAKE CRUISER Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 I think Nunz hit the nail on the head saying it may have been hauled on an open trailer. The salt gets all through the undercarriage and if it's not wasked off when you get home you get rusting and often times premature bearing failures. For years back before the millenium we trailered 4 sleds on an open bed for 10-12 hours both ways. to start our yearly trip. We all had suspension bearing issues over the years that disappeared when we changed to an enclosed trailer. I don't think some suspension parts are paint protected as well as in the past. I wash metal suspension parts well & spray them with a light oil (not WD) each spring. It seems to help. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 3 hours ago, PISTON LAKE CRUISER said: I think Nunz hit the nail on the head saying it may have been hauled on an open trailer. The salt gets all through the undercarriage and if it's not wasked off when you get home you get rusting and often times premature bearing failures. For years back before the millenium we trailered 4 sleds on an open bed for 10-12 hours both ways. to start our yearly trip. We all had suspension bearing issues over the years that disappeared when we changed to an enclosed trailer. I don't think some suspension parts are paint protected as well as in the past. I wash metal suspension parts well & spray them with a light oil (not WD) each spring. It seems to help. Only way to find out to go look at it. Only one spring looks rusty rest of sled looks good from what I can see in pictures. You think if it was on an open trailer the front springs and shocks would be rusty too. I agree that salt brine and sand gets into everything. My idler bearings last now too haven't changed one. Shocks last because sand not getting into rod seals. I only use enclosed trailer now too. When you are buying used have to take good with bad. The guy who traded in this sled traded four in and other three I could see pics from looked good. I highly doubt it was in an open trailer but I don't know for sure. This is last one from group he traded in that they have left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PISTON LAKE CRUISER Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 3 hours ago, Strong Farmer said: This is last one from group he traded in that they have left. The better looking ones went first no doubt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunz Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 I did some research on why only one spring would be rusty and it was suggested that likely caused by the cable scratchers churning up ice/rocks causing it to hit the springs and peeling off the paint on them, I’d still get them replaced regardless 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 10 Author Share Posted April 10 41 minutes ago, Nunz said: I did some research on why only one spring would be rusty and it was suggested that likely caused by the cable scratchers churning up ice/rocks causing it to hit the springs and peeling off the paint on them, I’d still get them replaced regardless That makes sense, thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Saul Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 On 4/9/2025 at 12:19 PM, Strong Farmer said: I just bought a used snowmobile from a Polaris dealer. 2023 Polaris adventure 137. A friend mentioned it has rusty torsion springs in pics. Would you work out something with dealer to get them changed out? Is it a safety concern? They claim it's just cosmetic but said they re look at it and get back to me about out. Any advice? So you said you bought it.???? Now you looking at pics and asking for advice. So...... still shopping or just got no grass to cut?? Just trying to keep up here... 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyr Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 Where are the pics? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted April 11 Author Share Posted April 11 10 hours ago, Rich Saul said: So you said you bought it.???? Now you looking at pics and asking for advice. So...... still shopping or just got no grass to cut?? Just trying to keep up here... I have a small deposit on it to hold it. I got a fair deal on it. Too far away to go look at it. Either I have to pay them something to fix it now or roll dice and use it way it is or have a dealer here fix it. They said they look at it and call me back. That's negative after a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95rxl650 Posted April 11 Share Posted April 11 Springs are relatively inexpensive and an easy "diy" job if they indeed need to be replaced. If the dealer thinks they are fine then I would tend to trust that they dont want the liability of selling a known dangerous sled. Princess Auto sells Honey Goo thats very similar to Fluid Film at half the price. Inspect it, spray it, send it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 On 4/11/2025 at 5:04 PM, 95rxl650 said: Springs are relatively inexpensive and an easy "diy" job if they indeed need to be replaced. If the dealer thinks they are fine then I would tend to trust that they dont want the liability of selling a known dangerous sled. Princess Auto sells Honey Goo thats very similar to Fluid Film at half the price. Inspect it, spray it, send it. I used wd 40 on them and thankfully most of rust wiped off. Then I coated with a good metal spray. Sled about 9 out of 10, now. I am guessing it was put back in trailer wet. The guy that had it had a 4 place enclosed trailer dealer told me (regular customer trades often) for 11,000 it was an amazing deal for 2023 137, with passenger seat, 7s display and ice ripper track. Only 1700 ish kms and just under 50 hours on sled 👌 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderman Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, Strong Farmer said: I used wd 40 on them and thankfully most of rust wiped off. Then I coated with a good metal spray. Sled about 9 out of 10, now. I am guessing it was put back in trailer wet. The guy that had it had a 4 place enclosed trailer dealer told me (regular customer trades often) for 11,000 it was an amazing deal for 2023 137, with passenger seat, 7s display and ice ripper track. Only 1700 ish kms and just under 50 hours on sled 👌 Depending on the dealer, might be the same guy we bought our Evo off. Guy buys 4 or 5 new sleds every year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strong Farmer Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 On 5/6/2025 at 8:59 AM, Spiderman said: Depending on the dealer, might be the same guy we bought our Evo off. Guy buys 4 or 5 new sleds every year This sled came from Rockland marine near Ottawa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispy Posted May 8 Share Posted May 8 One tow on slushy roads in an open trailer or hanging out of the back of a short box truck can cause this. if it was towed in the open the aluminum will show signs of dulling and possible white spots coming up. It will just look older than it is all over. Also sometimes parts are not painted quite perfectly either which can cause this if it is only the one spring? Wouldn't bother me any 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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