06 Vector Track Tension

[venture2]

Hello,
This past spring I replaced the sliders on my 2006 Vector because they were worn down close to the wear limit ridge, especially on the front curve of the rail. The track tension has been maintained at 1-3/8" deflection with 22 lbs. pull since day one. The machine has 1000 miles on it and has always been run in good snow conditions.

I've heard and read from others that you can run the track looser than the factory specifies; I've heard up to 2" deflection with the 22 lb. pull. I want to set it up with more deflection this year, but don't want to go too far and have the track ratchet on me. So if anyone has experimented with this and can offer some idea's, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Venture 2

 

[twomorestrokes]

I haven't really measured the deflection on mine, but I know it's more than a 2" drop. I run my track loose and have never had an issue. I loosen it just until it ratchets occasionally on hard accelleration and then tighten it a little bit and go for the season. Yamaha specs always call for them to be banjo sting tight IMO.

 

[06apexrtx]

running stud and the amount will also detremin how loose you can run it. i set my wifers 07' w/about 3/4" hang to try it.

 

[venture2]

Thanks for your help!

Well, I'm taking the middle road on the track tension, and plan to monitor it. I set the overall drop at a little over 1-5/8" with 22 lbs. pull. That put the free hang of the track at 1" (as measured from the bottom edge of the rail to top edge of track). I have noticed however, that after adjusting the drop, tightening axle shaft and then running the track for a double check that the measurement changes. Sometimes more or less than where I set it. I'm assuming it's just where the slack happens to settle when the track coasts to a stop. You can easily feel the tension difference with the track running loose, it wants to turn very easy now.

Venture 2

 

[twomorestrokes]

Yeah, specs are too tight IMO. Too much drag and wear. My original hyfax were changed at 2000 miles, but they were still only half worn. Current set still looks great after 1000. The set I tried in between was a big mistake. Thought I'd try graphites and they smoked in 100 miles...

 

[venture2]

I put a set of graphite sliders in my 06 Venture this past spring as well. Hope they wear well, but have since heard as you also stated, that they aren't any better than standard sliders and sometimes worse. funny, my old 70's arctic cats never had any issues with slider wear and I put thousands of miles on them.
Venture 2

 

[twomorestrokes]

I put a set of graphites on my wife's Phazer 500 at the same time and they melted down to the rails last season as well. They probably work good for short term high performance situations, but for trail riding where you may run into intermittent poor snow conditions or hardpack, I'm gonna steer clear of them.

 

[06apexrtx]

i had a set of graphites on my xlt years ago and once i got them melted in correctly i could drive on bare ice w/out any issues but w/ the apex last they sucked. i hear hyperfax sliders were the way to go.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Yeah, they worked on my 600sx just fine but not on this sled. The factory sliders seem to last good enough for me. I'd like to try those hyperfax, but the cost of them would buy a few years worth of regular ones for me...