121 ~ 144 stretch. Track seems too tight

[Bradford]

I just installed TracksUSA 121 - 144 extensions and Wahl 9 tooth drivers on an RS Nytro. With the track adjusted as loose as it can go, it seems way too tight. Deflection at 22 lbs is only 5/8 ~ 3/4". I haven't run it yet so maybe it will stretch out.

Any ideas??

 

[APEX 06]

I would put 100 miles on it and then re check it.

 

[Gone Blue]

Sorry, I dont have an answer for you on your track tension but I would love to see some pictures of your stretch. G.B.

 

[Bradford]

I'm going to pick up some all steel lock nuts for the adjusters to replace the nyloc nuts, they're about 3/8" shorter and will give me that much more adjustment.

 

[1CrazySledder]

That track will stretch. Like mentioned before, run it awhile. If you have studs, it will for sure stretch faster.

 

[Honk]

I went to 136" a couple years ago on my RX-1. I also had this problem, adjusters all the way out to the end. It never got any better, it just seems like the extension rails are slightly long. Track should be running looser than it is.I got nothing?? to fix it??

 

[Bradford]

I got the track just loose enough by replacing the adjuster nuts with the same lock nuts that the ski bolts use which are not as deep. I was also able to remove the stock washer because the ski bolt nuts are flanged. I probably gained about 3/16" on the adjustment... just enough!

Hoping to get out over the next couple of days to try it out. Can't wait! I'll post some pics after that

 

[Turtle]

Normally the rail extension is not the problem, no matter who the rail extension is made by. Most rail extensions (including ours) are machined on a CNC mill. Which means they can be duplicated with very repeatable tolerances.

Tracks on the other hand do not hold as tight a tolerance as machining aluminum. Most track manufacturers have about a +/- 1% tolerance on the actual length of the track. Which means if a track is short to the extreme end of the tolerance (136*0.99) the actual track length could be 134.6" ... that's 1.4" short! You wouldn't think that makes a big difference, but 1.4" short has a large effect on the amount of adjustment range for the tensioner.

Typically the extremes of the tolerance are found more commonly on tracks purchased in the aftermarket. The sled manufacturers are more stringent on what they receive from their track vendors.

I myself ran into this same problem a few years ago when the tensioner was all the way loose, and I could barely even get the track installed. I measured the rail extension, and it was spot on. However, I also measured the track, and it measured at 134" ... 2" short.

 

[Bradford]

Thanks gade, that makes sense