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Driveshaft - be pro-active and replace before it breaks???

R

redrx1rkt

Expert
Joined
Apr 20, 2005
Messages
441
Location
South Shore of Lake Ontario
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www.snowdevils.net
I've read here and there that the driveshaft on the Apex tends to break between 8,000-9,000 miles. Current mileage is 7,400. I have a trip planned in a few weeks that will push the odometer well past 8,000. This has made me think about having the driveshaft replaced in advance to avoid a trail breakdown before this riding season comes to an end...or to avoid an issue on the upcoming trip.

I am not a super aggressive rider. My first belt grenaded at 6000+ miles, to put a number to my throttle style. A lot more gentle take-offs and smooth acceleration than a lot of others. Not sure if this extends the life of the driveshaft. Bearing has been lubed frequently since new and hasnt needed replacement.

Sooooo...thoughts? Is it a guarantee that the driveshaft will break? Should I consider replacing it? If so, cost?
 

Mine broke at 6,000 miles; have to admit that I LOVE the throttle!!!!!!! :jump:
 
Re: Driveshaft - be pro-active and replace before it breaks?

redrx1rkt said:
I've read here and there that the driveshaft on the Apex tends to break between 8,000-9,000 miles. Current mileage is 7,400. I have a trip planned in a few weeks that will push the odometer well past 8,000. This has made me think about having the driveshaft replaced in advance to avoid a trail breakdown before this riding season comes to an end...or to avoid an issue on the upcoming trip.

I am not a super aggressive rider. My first belt grenaded at 6000+ miles, to put a number to my throttle style. A lot more gentle take-offs and smooth acceleration than a lot of others. Not sure if this extends the life of the driveshaft. Bearing has been lubed frequently since new and hasnt needed replacement.

Sooooo...thoughts? Is it a guarantee that the driveshaft will break? Should I consider replacing it? If so, cost?
Click to expand...

Leave it be you will be just fine if you continue to ride that way.
 
Re: Driveshaft - be pro-active and replace before it breaks?

redrx1rkt said:
I've read here and there that the driveshaft on the Apex tends to break between 8,000-9,000 miles. Current mileage is 7,400. I have a trip planned in a few weeks that will push the odometer well past 8,000. This has made me think about having the driveshaft replaced in advance to avoid a trail breakdown before this riding season comes to an end...or to avoid an issue on the upcoming trip.

I am not a super aggressive rider. My first belt grenaded at 6000+ miles, to put a number to my throttle style. A lot more gentle take-offs and smooth acceleration than a lot of others. Not sure if this extends the life of the driveshaft. Bearing has been lubed frequently since new and hasnt needed replacement.

Sooooo...thoughts? Is it a guarantee that the driveshaft will break? Should I consider replacing it? If so, cost?
Click to expand...

In our riding group there are 4 Attaks. 2 of the sleds drive shafts broke at very different milage. Doing the work yourself and just doing the drive shaft you will be looking at $250ish. Drive shaft $180, pressing the drivers on and off $50 (you may get this for free if you have it done where you buy the drive shaft) and $10 for the chaincase oil.
 
Lost the driveshaft on my 2000 SRX 300 kms after Clutch side bearing let go. Had to drive 25kms on it with bearing gone and I believe that stressed the driveshaft on the chaincase side. My Apex has 13,500kms with no driveshaft issues and am hoping the bearing was the main culprit. Still have the original Ripsaw with almost no damage so I guess I ride kinda like you do. Change that bearing soon with that much mileage, good insurance even with regular greasing.
 
My buddy's '05 RX1 broke his at 13.000kms of semi aggressive riding, no studs and still has OE RipSaw track, I've seen some go at 10.000kms...I changed mine on my '08 at 10.000kms I'm also un-studded OE track, it won't brake in your back yard! its going to happen when you least expect it to...like the week off you planned to your favorite place $$$ + getting it towed back to your trailer $$$ Its not all that much money to change to have peace of mind, also change the CHAINCASE lower drive bearing while your at it and both oil seals upper & lower and inspect your chain and gears... ;)!
 
10K on the Attak and RX1, heavy on the throttle, hard accel's no studs still holding up.....hope this don't jinx me!
 
got 20 000 km on my warrior before it let go,you'll know when suddenly the sled starts to vibrate in the floor boards,20 km later,its broke in half,its not only yam that have this problem,cats and doo's experience the same,seen it first hand
 
abj87 said:
You could use a dye penetrant test on it to check for cracks. You can do that with it in place.
Click to expand...

It would be a little tricky to do or see cuz it usually breaks right next to 1st drive and chaincase under the lock ring thats on shaft...I've herd of a few breaking in the middle but most are breaking at chaincase end.
 
Re: Driveshaft - be pro-active and replace before it breaks?

redrx1rkt said:
I've read here and there that the driveshaft on the Apex tends to break between 8,000-9,000 miles. Current mileage is 7,400. I have a trip planned in a few weeks that will push the odometer well past 8,000. This has made me think about having the driveshaft replaced in advance to avoid a trail breakdown before this riding season comes to an end...or to avoid an issue on the upcoming trip.

I am not a super aggressive rider. My first belt grenaded at 6000+ miles, to put a number to my throttle style. A lot more gentle take-offs and smooth acceleration than a lot of others. Not sure if this extends the life of the driveshaft. Bearing has been lubed frequently since new and hasnt needed replacement.

Sooooo...thoughts? Is it a guarantee that the driveshaft will break? Should I consider replacing it? If so, cost?
Click to expand...

I would not worry if you don't studs! If you have studs, then I woud change it...why risk it and spend the rest of the trip on the side.

Good Luck! :-o
 
Re: Driveshaft - be pro-active and replace before it breaks?

Yummy said:
I would not worry if you don't studs! If you have studs, then I woud change it...why risk it and spend the rest of the trip on the side.

Good Luck! :-o
Click to expand...

Did you read my post...my Bud isn't STUDDED and still broke at 13.000kms and know of another that broke at 10.000kms...it doesn't matter if your studded or not, funny that YAM changed design twice in the 2 years doesn't that tell you something '09 is different and so is '10, '08 and older tend to break around the 10k and I start getting nervous about it snapping in the middle of nowhere and ends up costing you big $$$$$. I agree some are getting lucky and end up running them longer...thats where you have to make the call, if you feel safe extending your LUCK thats fine...but it will break at a given time...when nobody KNOWS!
 
10,000 on each of our 2 sleds, no problems. no studs, but not agressive. 100% trail.

Edit: After reading some more, I think it will be a good idea to proactively replace the driveshaft when I change the track this spring...@~12,000 miles
 
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