Is my driveshaft worn?

[scooterwj]

This video is with a new bearing... I do have the thing from BOP to expand the shaft. Is that good enough to just use that to tighten it up or do I need a new shaft?

 

[Turboflash]

Is the new bearing an OEM (Yamaha) bearing or something else? IMO, IF it's a genuine, it is a C3 (loose internal clearance bearing) fit which would allow some apparent movement such as you show in video. If it's not a genuine, then it MAY be too loose on shaft. I would recommend installing the BOP wedgey thing and seeing if it tightens the bearing up on the shaft. If so, you're good. If not, then it's new shaft time. I bet the BOP wedge will do the trick. Good luck!

 

[scooterwj]

Is the new bearing an OEM (Yamaha) bearing or something else? IMO, IF it's a genuine, it is a C3 (loose internal clearance bearing) fit which would allow some apparent movement such as you show in video. If it's not a genuine, then it MAY be too loose on shaft. I would recommend installing the BOP wedgey thing and seeing if it tightens the bearing up on the shaft. If so, you're good. If not, then it's new shaft time. I bet the BOP wedge will do the trick. Good luck!

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the bearing is a new OEM from Yamaha.

 

[DMCTurbo]

I agree with Turboflash, torque up the BOP wedgey thingy and if she locks her on rider like ya stole her...

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Since you have it apart, its easy to install the BOP device and get a feel for it...

Let us know how much torque you need to apply to tighten her up snugly so it cannot slide right off.

I would be interested. I would go in 5 ft lb increments until it feels good and snug! Many of us went with 40 to 45 ft lbs, but yours being apart makes it perfect for getting a good feel. Even though each shaft is likely worn differently from the next.

Dan

 

[SPM]

I checked the bearing on my sled today and appears to be about the same as scooter has shown. Definitely spun on shaft but not terrible 1500mi.(I'll try to post pictures). My first plan is to hopefully warranty the shaft and bearing and install the BOP wedgey. Makes me wonder about my 2015 and 2016 cats I have that probably have the same issue...

 

[Turboflash]

Good luck. My brother and nephew both checked their 2017 TCats yesterday. Both are toast. Bearing is worn about .003-.004" and shafts are worn down about same. Both got the 3-year warranty so they'll be talking to their dealer. Sleds have about 3500 miles on them.

 

[rtx moose]

so warranty should cover this?

 

[Turboflash]

Lots of guys are saying they are getting it covered under warranty. However, some are also saying their dealer wouldn't do it. IDK
It's known very common problem for both TCats and Sidewinders. Textron/AC can't pretend they don't know about it! Most sleds either have had the issue or are going to have the issue. Good luck!

 

[SumpBuster]

Since you have it apart, its easy to install the BOP device and get a feel for it...

Let us know how much torque you need to apply to tighten her up snugly so it cannot slide right off.

I would be interested. I would go in 5 ft lb increments until it feels good and snug! Many of us went with 40 to 45 ft lbs, but yours being apart makes it perfect for getting a good feel. Even though each shaft is likely worn differently from the next.

Dan

Me too! But the old toolmaker in me would mic the shafts diameter in at least 4 places, 90 deg. apart, the inside, and outside diameters (width, on the OD of the axle) where the inner race would be seating on the axle. More spots would be fine too, but I am very curious how much one wedge can actually expand the shaft. If we had that data, anyone could just mic the fit and pretty much know how much torque is needed to get a good fit. Assuming the bearing inner race isn't worn, in which case it should be replaced anyway. Bearings are held to very close tolerances so all oem''s should be within tenths of a thousandth. For example, say my shaft is .004" under the race size, and from the chart, people (or Travis!!.lol) can say statistically that would take around 35 ft.lb. I dislike six Sigma(well, the way some of those college boys that have no experience implementing it) but statistics does have value...lol! My fear would be someone (ok, me..lol) would just tighten it too much because if some is good, more is better! Everyone has a different feel.

 

[Turboflash]

Me too! But the old toolmaker in me would mic the shafts diameter in at least 4 places, 90 deg. apart, the inside, and outside diameters (width, on the OD of the axle) where the inner race would be seating on the axle. More spots would be fine too, but I am very curious how much one wedge can actually expand the shaft. If we had that data, anyone could just mic the fit and pretty much know how much torque is needed to get a good fit. Assuming the bearing inner race isn't worn, in which case it should be replaced anyway. Bearings are held to very close tolerances so all oem''s should be within tenths of a thousandth. For example, say my shaft is .004" under the race size, and from the chart, people (or Travis!!.lol) can say statistically that would take around 35 ft.lb. I dislike six Sigma(well, the way some of those college boys that have no experience implementing it) but statistics does have value...lol! My fear would be someone (ok, me..lol) would just tighten it too much because if some is good, more is better! Everyone has a different feel.

Need a DOE, eh SumpBuster? Develop a matrix that's included in the installation instructions for the Travis' wedgey!

 

[SumpBuster]

Need a DOE, eh SumpBuster? Develop a matrix that's included in the installation instructions for the Travis' wedgey!

LOL!! I get anal and would worry if I'm putting too much pressure on those (changed from 'my' for greater clarity!) balls. The bearings balls!

 

[Turboflash]

LOL! Yup, same here. Probably all the more reason to make sure to use the OEM spec bearing with C3 fit (loose internal clearance). If someone gets a little carried away tightening the bolt, they have less chance of radially preloading the bearing.

 

[scooterwj]

Since you have it apart, its easy to install the BOP device and get a feel for it...

Let us know how much torque you need to apply to tighten her up snugly so it cannot slide right off.

I would be interested. I would go in 5 ft lb increments until it feels good and snug! Many of us went with 40 to 45 ft lbs, but yours being apart makes it perfect for getting a good feel. Even though each shaft is likely worn differently from the next.

Dan

I worked on this last night and ended up going up to 45 ft lbs.... I think I might need to go up to 50, although 45 feels pretty good - I can still put the bearing on and take it off by hand but it has some resistance.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

I worked on this last night and ended up going up to 45 ft lbs.... I think I might need to go up to 50, although 45 feels pretty good - I can still put the bearing on and take it off by hand but it has some resistance.

I would not worry about expanding the bearing if you can still remove it easily still, I would make it so it sits snugly on there and cannot be taken off with ease.

Dan