SIDEWINDER UPPER GEAR FAILURE; AGAIN!

[stevewithOCD]

Milky chain case oil is not from heat. It's condensation caused by repeated heating and cooling. Moisture vapor can enter the chaincase via the vent tube on the top of the case. Yes, the chain case gets hot courtesy of being attached to the engine oil tank that has oil returning from the engine at probably 180-200F. If it weren't for being attached to oil tank, I think the chain case would run allot cooler. In addition, the oil tank and chain case are directly "downwind" from the muffler and turbo so there's tons of heat. When the chain case and it's oil get hot, it actually causes any moisture to evaporate out of the oil which is good. (Ever seen oil from a car that gets short-tripped all the time? It's milky). So running the sled and getting it hot actually dries out the chain case oil and the engine oil but as it cools, some condensation occurs again. So, I too (like Rockerdan) service the chain case more than once per year for this reason as well as cleaning the magnets that hold tiny metal particles from things that are wearing, and checking to see if all is well inside. The whole condensation issue is one reason most sled manufacturers recommend not moving your sled back and forth from below freezing to above.

A good point here is this chain case will always get hot due to it attached to the oil tank

 

[4strokes]

A good point here is this chain case will always get hot due to it attached to the oil tank

hand in hand with sight glass falling out?

 

[sabrecat]

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.

I checked alignment on mine after we talked last time. Its right on. The top gear floats a bit so it cant be out. The jack shaft is up against a shoulder on the top chain case bearing so no way for it to move. I got 2000 miles last year before top gear was popping out of gear. Put cat gear in this year and ran 16oz of gear lube and gear is still good at 1900 miles this year. Still learning.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Although i have 10,025 miles on my chaincase, i do not know if my gear was changed by dealers. I know my chain was changed at 6400 miles.
I run Amsoil Chain Lube to top of sight glass and 1 to 1.5 turns out. I also add 1oz ER Energy Release Metal Conditioner.
I will get all info on if my gear is original & will have this case apart next month.

Then we will see how the HELL i got 10,000 miles out of the thing i feared the most!

 

[Dave385]

We are offering our DMC heavy duty bushing installed into a new gear. This solves the issues with the top gear issues.
We offer these on ebay "top gear sidewinder thundercat super bushing"