Broken rear axel??

[yamaguy426]

Snapped the rear axel on my 08' Nytro this weekend. it snapped clean in two. Nothing bent at all. Just wondering how its possible to do this and if anyone else has had the same problem?

 

[mcamzr]

That's impressive. Were the trails real rough? I had a 8in wheel kit on a ZR and broke a wheel in rough trails, and ever tore the drive shaft out of it another time but never broke the axle.

 

[yamaguy426]

Naw not too bad. I've riden trails much rougher. And i've broken skid rails, shocks, pivot arms but never an axel. I think something has got to be defective. Its just too much steel to break from riding...

 

[mcamzr]

Has to be. Looks like its one more thing to inspect On a regular basis. Did you add the 4th wheel kit to it or just the stock three?

 

[moab11]

Any chance the axle was not tightened after adjusting the track tension?

I could see that happening if the axle was allowed to move back and forth in the slot. Pretty crazy though!

 

[MikeAllard]

I just lost the rear axle nut shortly after a 500 mile service - they clearly did not re-tighten the nut after track adjustment. I was able to ride back 40 miles easy (at 30 MPH), and watched the axle slowly work its way out (but I kept banging it back in place). The break in your picture is very bizarre, as there is no drive torque applied to this shaft - it just rotates with the track. Did the other end have the nut on and in proper position (2-3 threads of shaft showing)?

I can imagine if the shaft stock out roughly the 6 inches where it broke, and then the wheel hit something hard, I could understand it breaking where it did, and it would explain the wear mark in the slot.

 

[yamaguy426]

Sled just has the stock 3 wheels. Everything on the skid/suspension is stock. And it was properly tightened. If anything maybe it was over tightened? Everyone has overtightened a small bolt and snapped it off before...but I doubt the axel could be overtightened to the point where it snaps. If anything i think the threaded nipple would strip or break first.

What confuses me is that nothing is bent up - not even the spacing bushing shafts that the axel runs inside of. The break occurred about 2 inches inside of the rail completely inside the long collar. (where the 4th wheel would be).

Anyway called my local dealer (that parts guy) who told me to bring the sled in and they would cover it. I brought the sled in and spoke with the owner (who i bought the sled from) and he said yamaha won't cover it and it was going to be $675. I kindly told him where to stick it and fixed it myself with parts from a spare skid. 160 miles this weekend and no problems.

 

[canoehead]

$675.00 Oh you must have wanted the "gold plated" one! That just doesn't sound right. He must have quoted you the skid. Here's the price from Ronnies.

#47 REAR AXLE COMP.
8L8-47520-10-00 $33.58

 

[Prarie Dawg]

The exact same thing happened to me today. Looks the same as in your picture. Not cool.

 

[Dr. FeeLGooD]

Thats "snapped as snapped can be" lol. youtube the "angry snowmobiler" Must be a defect.

 

[09nytro]

It happened to me too ...then I put in that two wheel kit from yamaha (just two wheels in the inside) that bent and bent both rails.....soooooo I fixed all that and put the 4th wheel kit in.......

So it happens you are not the only one......