2006 Apex Skid Vibration

[JohnDeereJoe]

Hi all, I'm having a bad sound/vibration coming from the front of my skid under any acceleration, sending a vibration through the handle bars. I think it's possibly the track clips hitting the front of the slides but looking for any other suggestions and ideas to adjust it out. I know I had the track to tight for my 150 mile ride earlier in the season so the new slides aren't great. After inspection it looks like some small holes got melted into the slides towards the front by the bend and could see material built up on the edge of the track clips so it definitely got hot. I have re-adjusted my track and played with the limiter strap to try to move the skid up and down a little but couldn't notice a change in the noise. I'm not sure how quality the slides were to begin with, they just came with the tracks USA 128 extension kit. Track is also a Ice attack. I'll attach a video of the sound. I'm questioning if I can ride it this weekend. I've read good things about the DuPont slides on here but couldn't find the part number for them. Any help is appreciated! video (only way I could get it to attach)

 

[pdiddy]

There's also two small pieces of slide above the shock mount that might be worn out.

 

[steiner]

Sounds like the sliders are to long at the back of the skid. They must not stick past the rails in the rear

 

[Phaze]

Are the slides cut at an angle on the back of the rail or are they squared up?
Are you hitting the brake to stop the track, or is it stopping quick on it's own? Looks like the track still may be too tight. I have about 1.5" or so gap between the track and rail when the suspension is off the ground. Skip the adjustment using a weight. I use Dupont slides, I like them...

 

[DGZRT]

All great things to check . I would start by inspecting the belt and blowing out the clutches. Bad belt can sound like track noise . Then check your speedo bearing and grease . After greasing roll track around with the skid off the ground . Check all Boggie wheels for bad bearings make sure they roll free.

 

[DGZRT]

Make sure the fronts are on the rails or you will stab your track and ruin it . In the microfiche its part # 6 under suspension .

 

[JohnDeereJoe]

Put about 100 miles on this past weekend, seem to ride fine and smooth out at higher speeds on the lakes. Sliders are cut flush with the back of the rail extensions, speedo bearing was replaced in the spring and I put a greaser on it. Those end caps are on but they move around on the rivets. I tried putting my hand on both of them so they weren't shaking but the noise was still there.

 

[Phaze]

The slides need to be cut at an angle. Otherwise, they will make noise. The end caps moving isn't a big deal......

 

[Phaze]

 

[JohnDeereJoe]

So, the sliders lasted 400 miles. That is right behind the bend in the rails on the front of the skid. Both sides were about the same. Replaced them and the noise/vibration went away. The first 160 miles the track tension was too tight but not sure if that's all the problem is. Any ideas?

 

[steiner]

Post a pic of the skid where these are wearing out soo bad.

 

[74Nitro]

Those single-bolt idler wheel mounts were garbage in my opinion. They will slide up the rail about 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
The other problem is that the rail, especially at the front idler wheel, will bend inward, so when those two things happen the idler wheel isn't doing anything.
Also, what are the snow conditions like?
In good snow conditions, you won't need any idler wheels at all and the sliders will last for a very long time.
The idler wheels are there for when conditions are not perfect.
Lastly, are the track clips in good condition?

 

[Phaze]

When the skid was off the ground, how much gap between the track and slide?

 

[DGZRT]

Glad you figure out the Vibration. I run ski Doo wheels on my Vectors . Ski Doo and Polaris wheels are about 5mm larger in diameter. Only problem can be if you have a 136” track you might need to brace the rails . The larger wheels help greatly with the slider wear but do put more strain on the rails .

Not a single problem with my 121” skid but I did crack a rail in my 136” .

 

[Simplespeed]

i run the slightly larger Ski-Doo wheels on all the smaller wheels and run a extra set of small wheels in front of forward idler wheels on the suspension to stop the problem you had… This set up eliminates most Hy-Fax wear in normal conditions…