Came out of gear

[Big_Phil]

It will come out of gear if not cycled. The actuator needs to re-set after its been removed to hold it in forward gear. It's right in the owners manual.

Doesn't it cycle when you turn the key forward?

 

[NYTurbo]

Interesting , never ever cycled after removal of actuator and ive had probably close to a hundred of these apart. Actuator only cycles all the way one direction, then the other , no sensors to tell it where to start and stop.

 

[KnappAttack]

Doesn't it cycle when you turn the key forward?

The manual say to cycle it a couple-three times for a reason.

 

[tsiceman]

I would think the detent could be off one tooth

 

[NYTurbo]

Interesting , never ever cycled after removal of actuator and ive had probably close to a hundred of these apart. Actuator only cycles all the way one direction, then the other , no sensors to tell it where to start and stop.

 

[KnappAttack]

Interesting , never ever cycled after removal of actuator and ive had probably close to a hundred of these apart. Actuator only cycles all the way one direction, then the other , no sensors to tell it where to start and stop.

Then what is the reason the manual states to cycle the actuator? Why the magnet on the slider? It must tell the actuator something.

 

[NYTurbo]

I would think the detent could be off one tooth

Not if installed properly

 

[NYTurbo]

Then what is the reason the manual states to cycle the actuator? Why the magnet on the slider? It must tell the actuator something.

Manuals are not always right. Magnet sets off the reverse beeper

 

[NYTurbo]

Possible I guess it does trigger the actuator . I do know I have never cycled an actuator, but always make sure your reverse gear and drive gear are meshed before setting actuator. Often you need to rotate secondary a bit for them to mesh initially.

 

[Blueaway]

Thank you for your help

 

[WinterWolf]

My first ride of season back a month ago(Jan 16th), mine(‘18 50th RTX) came out and was grinding and whining too. Just had mine all serviced as well, and within 5 miles it wouldn’t stay in gear/forward. Would go in reverse, but no forward. Had to tow it to a road and go get the trailer.

Mine was the top reverse gear bushing. Was all warrantied cuz I have the extended YES warranty. But I know the frustration/pain! Sucks when you just get out to ride and the sled goes down! But you’ll find out as soon as you open up the case.

Let us know what you find/what the problem is?

 

[grubf]

WinterWolf do recall if you used reverse on the day you had your trouble?

 

[ClutchMaster]

Please help. I just went to load my sidewinder 17. On my friends trailer. Going up the ramp starting making a grinding noice. Came out gear No reverse also. What the heck just put in a Scott Taylor gears and chain in it. Only 10 km on the new gear and chain

More than likely the actuator has stripped the gears. When you put it on you can NOT twist it the wrong way to get the bolts in. If you can’t get the three actuator bolts to line up you must twist it clockwise I believe. This would be the direction it would normally turn to go into reverse. So you end up with the sled somewhere between forward and reverse. Once you cycle it forward and reverse things are shifting properly.

If you force the actuator the opposite the direction of reverse from the detented forward position it can strip the cheesy plastic gears in the actuator.

If you do happen to strip the plastic ring gear it’s no big deal, don’t go buy a new actuator.
Just pop the round cover off the actuator and remove the circlip holding the ring gear on the shaft. Reclock the gear 180 degrees and reassemble with new grease. The actuator only uses about 60 degrees of rotation so the steel worm gear will have new plastic junk ring gear to mesh with. In reality you could probably strip the gears 4 times without having to buy a new actuator.

PS I did pull the motor armature out (worm gear) when I did mine but a friend said he has done it without pulling the motor off.

 

[NYTurbo]

Gear is no longer plastic in actuator .

 

[actionjack]

No plastic in there. Seems these actuators just fail trying to overcome the old grease. Maybe should service it annually with new grease.