Secondary Clutch drive shaft

[renegademan17]

Cleaning clutches for season opener and noticed about 3" of free play while rotating the secondary, checked bearings and shaft all good, but just want to know if the free play is normal or should I dive into the chaincase to see any issues there?
It just seems to be more than I've had on other sleds.

 

[Yamadog]

3" WHOA don't move it - something defintely wrong. The secondary does float to self align with the primary during shift out but it is only a couple millimeters - about 2 to 3 washer thickness.

 

[Len Todd]

I think you are talking about rotation of the Secondary being 3". Is that correct? If that is correct, you may want to consider checking your chain tension.

 

[Yamadog]

oh yeah I missed the rotation part. Most def check the chain tensor

 

[renegademan17]

Yes it was the rotation, ok maybe it was 2"-3" but still going to check chain tension tomorrow. CHecked and tightened last year, but can it become that slack in 2000 miles?

 

[Len Todd]

You may want to check fluid level, too. If the fluid level was low, the chain can stretch very fast.

 

[renegademan17]

Chaincase fluid was a tad low but still clean, tightened tensioner half turn by hand and checked again, still have rotational slack of about 2"? So I am still guessing as to what's up. Anyone else check their's to see if this is in the norm.

 

[apltx08]

YES...its normal w/reverse, I didn't measure but their is a fair amount of free play back & forth.

 

[Len Todd]

To adjust the chain tensioner, you tighten it up until it is in solid/firm contact with the chain. Then back it off 1/2 turn and tighten the locking nut.

As previously said, with reverse, 2" of rotation is normal.

 

[stevewithOCD]

2 to 21/2 inches of rotation is about right with reverse & chain tension correct. If you open it up you'll see a gear with "grooves" in side that engage & disengage for reverse. The shaft is not directly connected to gear then chain then lower gear like others. The shaft is connected to a gear with "grooves" on side. Then another gear with "grooves" meshes with that. In reverse, the outer gear slides out of grooves then uses spline shaft for reverse. Hard to explain, but YES it's normal...

 

[renegademan17]

Thanks for the info. one less thing to tear apart!
Found out the Apex Mtn. float plate is not cut to exact dimensions for attachment, if anyone puts one on like I did, check your riv-nut locations!! Had to modify a few on mine, because they were going to be into the plastic oil pan plate. Looks great when installed, should help a little floating ontop of snow.