Pulled Two Studs in Track - Need Recommendation

[Shane]

I was cleaning and greasing all the bearings on my rear suspension this weekend when I found that I pulled two studs with a double backer through. (Note I only use double backers and track is studded only down the center) I used a propane torch to burn the cords as well as heating up a screw driver until it was cherry red to further smooth and corterize the hole. My concern however is that I do a lot of long distance trips and don't want to be caught in a far away place with a track that failed.

My question is two fold:

1. Do I replace the track?

2. If so, do I replace with the same track or go to an Ice Ripper XT?

99% of my riding is trail with some lake riding and hillclimbs in the spring. My thought process was that studs do not project past the top of track lugs by much more than the studs that come in the ice ripper. Or, do I go with a 1 1/2 inch RIPSAW and use the Bergstrom Trail Grabbers?

Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[ROCKRTX]

A pic of the hole mith help.

2 stud pull trough the track IMO make the track too weak and is just question of time before it break( hard acceleration,high speed)

Trail graber are your worse nightmare,those stud screw on tip of the lug...you gona trow them everywere including your radiator.

I read a lot of comment on the ice ripper xt and people are not satisfied with the track,still loose stud and track life is short ( the track is soft like the ripsaw ).

Why don't you take a look at predator 1.25 or cobra 1.352 .

Suggest to re stud a track but i stay away of tall nut,less flex in stud but in extreme situation the stud will pull trough vs a stud bent.

 

[Grimm]

I'd recommend changing out the track before the season starts. A hole that large may cause a quick, and possibly dangerous situation to occur.

I say give the Ice Ripper XT track a try, I am. I've read up on this track and most of the unfavourable reviews were "not as good as a fully studded track". I think there were defects in the original Ripper tracks, but haven't seen any problematic XT ones.

Stay away from those screw in lug studs, heard too many problems with them.

Be safe, or be sorry.

 

[ahicks]

I'm with Grimm. From a peace of mind standpoint, I'd replace the track while still pre-season. If this were Jan-Feb, I might try to make do until the end of the season.

As far as what track, I'm not a fan of studs. If I felt the need for them , I'd go with one of the prestudded. If not, I'd go with the one I'm using now, the Cobra.

 

[RTX]

I had the exact same issue as you at the end of last season. I blew out 1 double backer stud. mine took out the heat exchanger. i fixed the heat exchanger and figured i could get the rest of the season out of the track. 2-3 weeks. I was able to put on about 260 miles before the track self destructed and ended a great day of riding about 50 miles from home.
thankfully this time it didn't do any further damage but did require a tow home.

Change it now and ride without worry all season.

I also installed the ice ripper and can't wait to see how it works.

 

[kinger]

I think the ripsaws are too soft for studs, I have seen a lot of pull outs. Pulling out a double backer is crazy!

I would go to a harder predator, maybe someone can chime in and tell us if the cobra is the same compound as the predator (which is the old model name I think)

Definitly replace though, we had a guy lose a track across lake gogebic last year and luckily the local shop got him right in but it was over $750 by the time they were done. We were about 300 miles from the truck on a back pack truck. Paid full retail for the track and $50 hr labor for something you can easily do yourself.

 

[Shane]

I spoke to my dealer and was rather dumbfounded at the price to replace my track with an ICE RIPPER XT and also replace the bearings on the drive shaft.

Track $886
Labor 6hrs. @ $70 $420
Bearing $34.23
Bearing $47.00
Seal $4.44

Total $1,391.67 BEFORE TAX!

I am all for the dealer making money but I found the track on tracksusa.com for $595. I realize the job is no fun but for a savings of $800 I am considering doing it myself. Does anyone know if any special tools are needed what the job entails?

Thanks!
Shane

 

[ROCKRTX]

The only special tool i see is a 3 jaw puller for the drive shaft bearing if it get hard to remove,check on the tech section for chain case gear removal and drop the suspension ( 4 bolt ) and you are done ( not in this order ...).

You could save 800$ easy if you have confidence with that.

+ wee are all there too back you up if there is someting wrong!

 

[ahicks]

Ask your dealer, or a different one, how much it might cost if you supply the track?

I'd do it myself. The biggest struggle I had was getting the nut off of the jack shaft - and it wasn't THAT big a deal. That bearing stayed in place, I didn't remove it to do mine.

 

[Grimm]

I paid $490 U.S. for that same track at CB Performance.

Bearings can be had for cheap if you shop around and pick up some AMSOIL chaincase oil while you're at it.

Then do the job yourself and tell your Dealer to himself...$1400???!!! That's crazy!

 

[Shane]

Thanks guys! You ROCK! I use only AMSOIL in EVERYTHING and have it in "stock" on the garage shelf. I wonder if I can get that same bearing puller at the local bearing shop?

 

[kinger]

I got mine from ace hardware and rented it for like $20 pulled it out after heating it for a minute and she popped right out, then took the puller back.

 

[kinger]

Also CBperformance was the best price by FAR on a new track, I checked everywhere, plus it shipped the same day and i called at like 4:30! I still dont know how he got to UPS that fast.

 

[BIG BLACK WARRIOR]

Definitly change the track. I am surprized you didn't put a hole in your front heat exchanger. I've been there, done that. I had the ice ripper on a Warrior a few years ago. Had over 5,000 miles on it with no problems, all the small studs stayed in place. You can't drag on ice with the ice ripper, but it is Ok for icy corners or stopping. I just put a new ice ripper XT, on my APEX RTX a couple weeks ago. I paid $450 for it at the BIG EAST SNOW SHOW, in syracuse. You should be able to buy it now for less then $500, and change it yourself, not really a hard job.