Hello all,

First off I just picked up a 1997 Ski-Doo Formula Z 583 sled recently. Its in super shape with 4800 miles on it. starts good but when the recoil sometimes does not pull the starter cord back in each pull, so i know its going :confused: .

I mise well replace it now before the snow hits (usually in late nov/early dec up here).

Has any one replaced/repaired these before?

Should I get a complete set or rebuild it?

Any instructions with/ without pics on the internet?

thanks dooodes,

Hello all,

First off I just picked up a 1997 Ski-Doo Formula Z 583 sled recently. Its in super shape with 4800 miles on it. starts good but when the recoil sometimes does not pull the starter cord back in each pull, so i know its going :confused: .

I mise well replace it now before the snow hits (usually in late nov/early dec up here).

Has any one replaced/repaired these before?

Should I get a complete set or rebuild it?

Any instructions with/ without pics on the internet?

thanks dooodes,

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Welcome to SW,

The recoil might just need to be cleaned, or the spring is rusty and needs a bit of light oil, or maybe the spring tension isn't what it used to be and needs to be wound up a little more so it will pull the rope back in all the way.

I had the same problem with my Cat's recoil. They may be different however, I am sure the principal is the same.
I took it apart and all I had to purchase was a $3.00 part resembling a cam.
Most of the guts are plastic that obviously wear over time. Unless the spring is broken, the chance of it loosing it's energy is not likely.

I had the same problem on my 1997 583 summit last winter, the recoil is very easy to take off on those sled i think it was only one bolt and the clamp that goes around the casing. My rope broke so i put 6 or 7 feet of new rope on and sprayed the whole inside of the recoil with a good lubricant (NOT WD 40) and replaced the $2.00 spring , alota times the pawl and spring just need to be lubed or replaced.

I had the same problem on my 1997 583 summit last winter, the recoil is very easy to take off on those sled i think it was only one bolt and the clamp that goes around the casing. My rope broke so i put 6 or 7 feet of new rope on and sprayed the whole inside of the recoil with a good lubricant (NOT WD 40) and replaced the $2.00 spring , alota times the pawl and spring just need to be lubed or replaced.
[/b]
that would be great, just a clamp to remove, did you have to remove anything to get to it?
Some reason the waterpump etc. looks in the way, but I should be able to tell exactly once I receive the service manual (CD)

thanks,

im assuming your formula z motor would be pretty well the same as my summit 583 motor was, It was kinda tricky to get allen key and wrench in between the exauste pipe and i think it was the coolant hose but its possible to do it without taking the pipe off and if you do have to its easy to take off. My recoil had one bolt holding it on with a large clamp surrounding the whole thing. Post a picture and i can explain it better to you.

:cussing: Skidoo recoils

I had a ##### of a time with all my Doos with recoils

back in 03 I rebuilt recoil 3 times on my 583

I then got a recoil off a 82 Everest 500 and it last 2 season and still was good when I sold the sled

Skidoo has the POOREST recoil design of all of them bar none

im assuming your formula z motor would be pretty well the same as my summit 583 motor was, It was kinda tricky to get allen key and wrench in between the exauste pipe and i think it was the coolant hose but its possible to do it without taking the pipe off and if you do have to its easy to take off. My recoil had one bolt holding it on with a large clamp surrounding the whole thing. Post a picture and i can explain it better to you.
[/b]

Yes, I just finished looking at it again. One allen key and a clamp holding the whole thing on.
Question is, What type of maintenance should I do to it? What type of silicone paste should be used on the spring part of it?
Are there special maintence kits from Ski-doo dealer that we can buy? Thanks much,

jc

Its about $80 or $90 to rebuild the whole recoil insides, you might just need to replaced the the spring and the pull cord, i would spray the whole inside of the recoil with a good lubricant like ''jig a loo'' or something along those lines and if you cant find that just use wd 40 if all elese fails. I had to replace the whole plastic wheel on my recoil a few years back. goodluck