Impossible track alignment

[Ron Ronson]

Hello all, first post here and it's only because I'm losing my mind!
17 sidewinder 137 roughly 300 miles on it and I can't for the life of me get the track aligned. I have axle bolts just barely broke loose and have tried small (1/8") turns to (2) complete turns of adjusting bolts and repeatedly get same results.
The track jumps to one side or the other causing the lugs inside the track to contact the upper idler wheels and the axle wheel on that side.
I have searched here and Google for hours and have seen others with the same issue but I have yet to find a suitable solution. Not sure if there's something I can measure to verify drivers, skid, tunnel are square?
I've never EVER had this much trouble with this seemingly simple task..... please any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Doowithblue]

Many attribute it to the silent drive track. Others say the drive cogs are misaligned. And others say don't fret over it.

 

[DMCTurbo]

I had similar issues my first time with this chassis. I find that once I get my track nice and tight I use a measuring tape and get the adjusters exact. Then I'll make very small adjustments as low as 1/16th of a turn or less and I am able to get it very close. I did notice that my drivers are off a bit and one is not centered in the track window when the other one is.

Best to step away and come back to it. That worked for me the first time too.

 

[Ron Ronson]

I initially measured so the axle was square to the rails... nothing. Measured adjusters to less than 1/16" of each other... nothing. If I make small, say 1/8" adjustments I get no movement of the track even trying to bump the axle and the side of the track with a rubber mallet. But (and I may have worded this incorrectly originally) when I give the adjuster a few good turns the track just jumps drastically the other way. It seems as if I can't get any fine adjustment, it's 1/4" of movement or nothing and this won't do as it is running the inner lugs into the wheels.

 

[Mototown]

Its very sensitive, but once u get the hang of it s easy to set . It's not like the Apex where you turn it a half turn at a time to set it.

 

[Carla 123]

Hello all, first post here and it's only because I'm losing my mind!
17 sidewinder 137 roughly 300 miles on it and I can't for the life of me get the track aligned. I have axle bolts just barely broke loose and have tried small (1/8") turns to (2) complete turns of adjusting bolts and repeatedly get same results.
The track jumps to one side or the other causing the lugs inside the track to contact the upper idler wheels and the axle wheel on that side.
I have searched here and Google for hours and have seen others with the same issue but I have yet to find a suitable solution. Not sure if there's something I can measure to verify drivers, skid, tunnel are square?
I've never EVER had this much trouble with this seemingly simple task..... please any help would be greatly appreciated!

Yup been there done that on my viper.was literally pulling hair out I dont have.the track moves from side to side so get proper tension and ride it.merry xmas

 

[yamaha06]

I used to have the same issue. I measure and have my track tension bolts the same length. I also take a rubber mallet and tap the track at the rear idler wheels to make sure they were tight against the tensioner bolts. I would then just snug up the axle bolts and then run the sled and let track come to a stop and make adjustments from there.

 

[KnappAttack]

Winder is very sensitive to adjustments. What I have found to help if doing it dry in the garage, is to run the track spraying silicone spray into the dry track to allow track to move easier. Doing it dry you are kind of wasting your time, because it changes being lubed up with water or silicone spray.

Otherwise its best to check adjustment right after a ride when the rails are cold and the track is loosened up. You will find the track looser after riding and all lubed up from the wet snow. This is the best time to adjust for tightness and adjustment side to side.

 

[fatchance]

I find it easiest to just tighten the side that has the most track showing from the tracks edge to the rear wheel, once you're close to your track tension. I figured this out after trying to do it by measuring over and over.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Welcome to TY Ron!
I don’t monkey around with the track clip clearance with my viper, I ran into the same problem. Now I just set the sag equally on both sides and done. No issues thus far.

Merry Christmas, CM

 

[ClutchMaster]

I will try Knapp’s suggestion, maybe some lube is a good idea! Yea ....where have I heard that before?

 

[WVTurboLTX]

I just count the threads on the adjusters. Never had an issue.

 

[Ron Ronson]

Well I appreciate all the replies and I did spray the track down the last time I tried to adjust it... But alas same results. The track just goes from one side to the other running the the inside lugs into the idler wheels.
I'm not trying to be OCD about the alignment it's just I'm not comfortable with having the track running against the wheels. Maybe it's not a big deal, just seems as if it would cause more wear.

 

[Carla 123]

I've been trying for 2 years and gave up.got it as close as I could and just ride it.trust me you will not get it perfect.

 

[Motorhead]

Have been running an Ice Attack XT since about 400 miles on this sled, 17 Winder LTX-LE. Track adjustment works much like any machine without all the problems explained on this thread, so I would have to agree that it must be the silent track which is causing the problem. Just checked and repacked jack and driveshaft bearings, and had no problem lining track back up. About 3 tries to get it lined up perfect.