SIDEWINDER UPPER GEAR FAILURE; AGAIN!

[number1kyster]

You guys have me anxious to tear into my 2018 RTX with 1,500 miles. It is stock. I use reverse often. Lots of gas/brake on the twisty trails I ride. I'm expecting the bushing to be worn some. We will find out in the next couple weeks!

 

[Crossfire12]

Make sure there’s a thrust washer in front of and behind it, 2 of them or it will start to wear more.

 

[stevewithOCD]

What happens when the top gear goes out, does it pop out of gear or what?

You get towed by a SkiDoo

 

[STAIN]

I find it hard to believe that using reverse is wearing that bushing.
I believe that is the tension of the chain and the load/shock on the gear. The looser the bushing, the faster it wears. I also think that adding shims to the back or front of the gear to take any movement out of it would help also.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Some are failing and some are not.



I wish I knew why. Dealer also wishes they knew why. All winter I was worried about getting towed home again. That's no fun.

I cancelled a trip because of this nauseous feeling.
I almost traded it in because of that uncertain feeling.
But i just sucked it up then beat the bejesus out of it. Of course i had a tow rope handy.
I will know in a month what mine looks like.

 

[chaleurphantom]

https://www.amazon.ca/Steadymate-15543-Snowmobile-Tow-Strap/dp/B0026FCGEU

I cancelled a trip because of this nauseous feeling.
I almost traded it in because of that uncertain feeling.
But i just sucked it up then beat the bejesus out of it. Of course i had a tow rope handy.
I will know in a month what mine looks like.

Yamaha should supply this as standard equipment.

 

[number1kyster]

Make sure there’s a thrust washer in front of and behind it, 2 of them or it will start to wear more.

Any idea what size the washer should be?

 

[Turboflash]

They come with the 2 washers from factory.

 

[lilrez]

They come with the 2 washers from factory.

Yep as shown in the parts diagram and free service manual uswd when you dump or pay someone to dump your chaincase and inspect each year. Manual also says 1.5 turns out so i do that too. Only thing manual doesnt say to use as much oil as recommended by many on here that have good luck. I replaced my 24t at 6000km. It was time... New 21T looks good at 10k.

 

[Motorhead]

Anger, despair, embarrassment.

Natural feelings when getting towed home, AGAIN.

Another upper gear failure.

First one, no holes, was at 2200 miles. Second one today, with holes, 1500 miles. My friend with 850 XRS is getting tired of towing me home and I am sick of getting towed.

Dealer just received 4 new replacement gears. One of their customers actually went through 3 gears.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR THESE FAILURES.

Its a gear, one of many in the same gearcase. Why is this one always failing?

Sidewinders should come standard with a tow rope and a huge warning label on it saying,
"DO NOT DRIVE ALONE".

I absolutely love the power and fun factor with my machine but it all goes away when getting towed.

OMG, I do agree, there is no excuse for your premature upper gear failure, but it sounds like there is also no reason as to why this is happening.
Speculation as to why this is happening has me contemplating my chain tightening procedure.

I replaced my 21 top with a 22 for $22(no oil holes)when it had around 1400 miles on it. I now have over 5K on my sled.

I choose to run a tight chain because of the internal rubbing damaged caused by a loose stretched chain(initial chain stretch) found during my second chaincase inspection of 1100 miles. My adjustment is finger tight, when I say finger tight I mean as tight as my hand can manage on that bolt, then back it off 1 turn at most! Dealer recommendation on the 1 turn after hand tight. I did check the chaincase prior to the beginning of this season and all looked OK. Thanks for posting about this problem, I shall replace the gear before next season for sure!

 

[Mototown]

I have run my 22/41 gearing with no spring tensioner for the last1000 miles and set the chain like I did on my Apex 1/2 to 3/4 backed off of finger tight . I will check the top gear this weekend to see what it looks like . I didn't like the amount of preload on the spring with the chain being on the tight side with 22 tooth top gear .

 

[ClutchMaster]

I respect you man but you sure seem sure of yourself without enough testing in my opinion. Who knows maybe you didnt use reverse much this last check of bushing? I have said it before I have run mine both at spec of 1.5 out from finger tight and 1 turn out and wear was exactly the same. Never did check alignment of gears. that would make sense if off and explain the wear pattern also.

Without enough testing? Crap I’ve been through three bushings, on my fourth.
The only difference is chain tension on this last bushing and it’s like brand new.
It only makes sense that the rounded chain/gear profile of the HYVO chain climbs slightly when under power.
Also my Arctic Cat friend had the same issues since 2012 and he has found the same to be true.
If the dam oil tank wasn’t on the side of the chaincase I would run it holding the brake for resistance and see if the Chain tightened under load with the cover off.
Results conclusive enough for me.

 

[cannondale27]

Without enough testing? Crap I’ve been through three bushings, on my fourth.
The only difference is chain tension on this last bushing and it’s like brand new.
It only makes sense that the rounded chain/gear profile of the HYVO chain climbs slightly when under power.
Also my Arctic Cat friend had the same issues since 2012 and he has found the same to be true.
If the dam oil tank wasn’t on the side of the chaincase I would run it holding the brake for resistance and see if the Chain tightened under load with the cover off.
Results conclusive enough for me.

Of course the chain tightens under load. Explain why they all wear on a taper. I think that's the clue to solving this. In meantime I will just stick to replacement every season.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Of course the chain tightens under load. Explain why they all wear on a taper. I think that's the clue to solving this. In meantime I will just stick to replacement every season.

Chain tightens under load on both sides, not just the driven side.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Think about why yamaha specs it soooo loose